Sydney studio Carter Williamson Architects has celebrated 21 years in practice, gathering industry peers at Hinchcliff House — a project the studio delivered in collaboration with AMP Capital — to reflect on two decades of architecture shaped by a commitment to the public good.

Founded in 2004 by Shaun Carter, the practice has grown from a home-based operation into a studio of more than 20 working across housing, commercial and public projects. Throughout that growth, its position has remained consistent: architecture must contribute beyond the site boundary.

“For me, architecture has always been about the public good,” said Carter. “Whether we are designing a house, an apartment building or a public project, the question is always how that work adds something beyond its site.”

Over the past two decades, Carter Williamson has built a steady reputation for design excellence, from early AIA commendations to state awards and increasingly complex urban projects. In 2024, the studio won the design competition for The Angophora in Chatswood, a mixed-use development of 260 apartments recognised for its public domain strategy and residential amenity.

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Co-Principal Ben Peake, who joined the practice in 2013 and later became a partner, describes the studio’s culture as one grounded in civic responsibility. “Architecture should engage with ideas bigger than any single project,” he said. “That mindset shapes the work we do and the way we think about our responsibility to the city.”

For Habitus readers, Carter Williamson is a familiar name. The studio has previously been shortlisted in the Habitus House of the Year awards, and Peake served on the HOTY jury last year — reinforcing the practice’s ongoing engagement with design discourse at both project and industry level.

Central to the studio’s longevity is continuity. A number of team members have been with the practice for more than a decade, a reflection of a culture that values mentorship, trust and long-term collaboration.

Looking ahead, the ambition is measured. “The future of Carter Williamson isn’t about getting bigger for the sake of it,” said Peake. “It’s about getting better.”

As Sydney continues to evolve, Carter Williamson’s focus remains clear: thoughtful, generous architecture that strengthens the city beyond the brief.

Carter Williamson Architects
carterwilliamson.com