ROAM Architects is a Melbourne-based architecture studio specialising in education, civic and community buildings, established in 2014 by Amanda Robinson and Rod Allan. Our work is grounded in how people live, learn and work—ensuring buildings are not only well designed, but genuinely useful and enduring. Drawing on experience across leading international practices, the studio was founded to combine purposeful design with disciplined project delivery—ensuring projects are not only conceptually strong, but highly resolved, compliant and buildable.
Approach
Why ROAM
ROAM is here to create thoughtful, engaging spaces that enrich everyday life. We see good design as a framework for living by connecting people, sparking moments of joy, and offering more than just a building. We are driven to create places with depth and meaning and environments that reflect the richness of real life
Our architectural approach combines rigour with a clear understanding of how people actually use spaces. From early strategy through to delivery, we focus on outcomes that are practical, durable and responsive – aligned with long-term value.
People
The Team
Our team brings together architects and designers with a shared commitment to thoughtful, responsive design. Each person contributes a distinct perspective, helping shape work that is resolved and deeply connected to its context.
Values
Curiosity
We are driven by curiosity, always asking questions and testing possibilities to uncover opportunities that others might overlook.
People first
Our design begins with empathy and care for people and place, creating spaces that foster connection, comfort and wellbeing. We consider how environments are experienced, contributing meaningfully to colleagues, culture and community.
Collaboration
We see design as a shared journey, working closely with clients and collaborators to shape outcomes together. By listening, exchanging ideas and building trust, we create spaces that feel responsive, clear and genuinely owned by everyone involved.
Rigour
We approach every project with integrity, discipline and creative rigour, delivering more than expected without compromise. By maintaining high standards and responding thoughtfully to complexity, we create outcomes that feel generous, considered and enduring.
Play
We embrace play as a source of imagination and joy, bringing curiosity, lightness and unexpected thinking to create spaces that are memorable and enrich everyday life.
Process
How we ROAM
Our design process begins with people shaped by lived experience, not by a preconceived style. At our heart, we build with community in mind, seeking to make a positive impact through design that balances function with form. We see each stage as a conversation – listening carefully, testing ideas and working alongside our clients to create buildings that feel right and perform over time.
Awards & Press
Recognition
Our work has been recognised through a number of industry awards and publications. These acknowledgements reflect a consistent commitment to thoughtful design, collaboration, and delivering meaningful outcomes for our clients and communities.
- Victorian School Design AwardsFinalist, Best School Project Below $5m2023
- Lysaght Design AwardWinner2022
- The Association For Learning Environments, VICCommendation New Construction / Individual Facility Under $8m2021
- Shaw Contract Design AwardsFinalist2021
- ArchelloFeatured Project2020
- The Local ProjectFeatured Project2020
- The Association For Learning EnvironmentsWinner Renovation / Modernisation Under $5m2019
- Hunting For GeorgeFeatured Project2019