Sonder Architects is founded on years of professional experience and a profound respect for the human experience. The name “Sonder” captures the realisation that everyone leads a life as rich and complex as our own. This insight shapes our practice, anchoring our commitment to deeply engaging with people and their ideas to craft bespoke spaces where design is both meaningful and considered.
Our focus lies in residential and community architecture—spaces that influence everyday wellbeing and allow environmental values to take priority. We advocate for adaptive reuse, continuing the architectural narrative through generations and across societal, technological, and ecological change. Our ethos is simple: build less, build better.
Creativity is at the heart of everything we do. We understand the intricacies of everyday life and aim to bring joy through the process of design. Through collaboration with artists, artisans, and kindred creatives, we demonstrate how thoughtful, intentional design can elevate everyday life.
Claire Reece
BA Architecture 2007 (First Class Honors)
Architect and Principal
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Claire graduated from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), where she achieved first-class honours. Since graduating, Claire has enjoyed a diverse career, working in Berlin on the ADAC office tower, Copenhagen on façade studies for Malmo Live, and on high-end residential projects in Sydney and Melbourne. Born in Canberra, Claire co-founded Sonder Architects to take ownership of her creative contributions and to be able to workshop great design with like-minded people.
Professionally, Claire exercises aesthetic judgement against practical concerns, but occasionally abandons this outside of architecture, where she makes time to paint and create at a purely personal scale. Claire was awarded a scholarship to study at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago while a student, and loves to pop in to a gallery show whenever she can.
Wendy Christie
PhD, 2015
BA Architecture, 2002 (Honors)
BA Design Studies, 1999
Architect and Principal
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Wendy brings decades of experience from working in Australia, Canada, Austria, and the Pacific Islands region. A graduate of the University of Queensland, she has worked extensively in remote and tropical regions, including the Top End and Vanuatu, where her focus on vernacular architecture, cultural heritage, and community-led architecture has shaped her practice and research.
Wendy completed a PhD through Monash University, exploring contextually appropriate urban housing in Vanuatu, merging academic insight with real-world impact. She co-founded Sonder Architects to unite her passion for climate-responsive, culturally sensitive design with a commitment to sustainability and social connection. She is known for her attention to detail, collaborative spirit, and ability to manage complex projects, bringing warmth, curiosity, and a deep respect for place and people. When not working, Wendy can be found exploring the coastal bushland of the NSW South Coast.