Sonder 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, grounding our commitment to listening deeply, engaging meaningfully, and creating places that respond to the people, cultures and communities they serve.
We believe good design begins not with buildings, but with people. Every place is shaped by the stories, relationships and aspirations of those who inhabit it. Whether working with an individual family, a local community or a public institution, our role is to understand before we design—to reveal opportunities, build shared understanding and create places that are thoughtful, enduring and deeply connected to place.
Creativity lies at the heart of everything we do. We believe the design process should be joyful, collaborative and generous. By working across disciplines with artists, craftspeople, researchers and communities, we seek to create places that enrich everyday life and contribute positively to the future of our built environment.
Claire Reece
BA Architecture (First Class Honours), 2007
Architect and Principal
ACT Registration 2608, NSW By Mutual Recognition
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Claire graduated from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), where she achieved first-class honours. Since graduating, she has worked across Europe and Australia, gaining experience on large-scale commercial projects as well as high-end residential architecture.
Raised in Canberra, Claire co-founded Sonder Architects to create thoughtful, enduring architecture in close collaboration with clients. She has developed particular expertise in the thoughtful renovation and extension of Canberra's mid-century homes, preserving the clarity of their original design while adapting them for contemporary living. Claire is particularly drawn to the careful adaptation of existing buildings, believing the best homes welcomes natural light, strengthen their connection to landscape and evolve thoughtfully around the lives of the people who live in them.
Professionally, Claire balances aesthetic judgement with practical concerns, but it is outside of architecture that she enjoys creating without constraint, making time to paint at a purely personal scale. Awarded a scholarship to study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago while at university, she continues to draw inspiration from art and rarely misses the opportunity to visit a gallery.
Wendy Christie
PhD, 2025
BA Architecture (Honours), 2002
BA Design Studies, 1999
Architect and Principal
ACT Registration 2533, NSW By Mutual Recognition
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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.