The Studio

Takt specialises in custom designed, site and client specific architecture with experience in residential, small scale commercial and community projects. Our projects have received multiple architecture awards and have been published widely across Australia and internationally.

The studio was formed to create meaningful buildings. Buildings that enhance lives. Buildings that age gracefully. Buildings that explore the possibilities of site, light, sustainability, material and desire.

All Takt projects are based on a thorough analysis of the site. Due to this process Takt has developed an intimate understanding of, and passion for, the local area, its variety of site conditions, particularities, cultural and social background and peculiarities.

Katharina and Brent are proud founding members of the Regional Architecture Association (RAA).

Takt are recognised as a practice under the Government Architects Strategy and Design Pre-Qualification Scheme focused on the delivery of strategic advice, design quality and innovation in the built environment.

Takt was founded by Brent Dunn and Katharina Hendel and was built on previous architectural experience in Australia, Indonesia, Germany, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. Over the past 10 years it has developed into a collaboration between a group of passionate and skilled individuals.

BRENT DUNN completed a Bachelor of Design Studies (Uni of Qld) in 1994, and a Bachelor of Architecture (Uni of Tas) in 1997. He was registered as an Architect in NSW in 2005. He has worked on a wide range of design projects, including furniture, crafted residential and medium-scale public projects, competitions, and larger commercial projects. Brent brings a combination of design, IT and business skills (GAICD) to the practice. Brent has taught in universities, contributed to conferences, lived in more houses than he is years old, and loves being in the ocean.

KATHARINA HENDEL completed her architecture studies as Dipl.Ing.Arch at the HTWK Leipzig, Germany in 2003. She worked in Germany freelance on a variety of projects including residential, hospitality and numerous design competitions. She has taught and tutored at Universities abroad and in Australia. Following her studies, focusing on urban design, Katharina has a particular interest in the relationship of the finer details of buildings to the urban/landscape scale of a project. Katharina lived in Leipzig, Germany for 20 years before catching the travel bug that has taken her around the world. Her last 18 years have been spent in architectural practice in Australia. Her other creative endeavours are photography and the dream of her own pottery studio.

DANIEL RIVERS joined Takt after his degree at Newcastle University is now a registered and experienced Architect. His sensitivity, communication skills, technical ability and creative approach are key to the successful delivery of Takt projects. He has been guest curator and speaker at the Talking Heads lecture series at Newcastle University. Daniel enjoys the construction process and loves to design and build - anything from furniture to bikes. Daniel is a keen bushwalker and always has his 3B pencils at the ready. Daniel is also a practicing artist working primarily in pastels capturing the land and town-scapes around him and has exhibited across NSW, in group and solo shows.

EMMA GAAL also studied at Newcastle University and works from our South Coast studio in Moruya. She has previous experience in landscape architecture. Her personable nature, design and technical skills, and an inclusive approach to collaboration brings a depth to the practice. She was the recipient of the Parker Fellowship Scholarship researching the relationship between ‘Food, Street, Architecture’ for her thesis travelling to India, Morocco and throughout Europe. Emma grew up on Sydney’s Pittwater and loves all things ocean. She now calls a yacht home. She is a printmaker and enjoys getting her hands dirty making beautiful linocuts.

BEN BEATTIE studied at Curtin University following a career as a Civil Engineer and Project Manager. Ben brings a unique skill set to the practice through his experience as an engineer and project manager. He splits his time working for Takt and the Transport for NSW with much experience in project development and project delivery including civil engineering, the management of specialist consultant contracts, risk management and stakeholder consultation. When he is not studying architecture or working on larger transportation projects, he is busy raising a family and enjoys being outdoors. Ben also makes the best sourdough between Sydney and Wollongong.

Past team members and collaborators without whom Takt wouldn't be what it is now:

Tom Gray
Adam Hogan
Hamish Ginn
Jacquie Gray
John Pott
Jordan Silver
Stuart Robinson
Yves Marie Elies
Joshua Sleight