Annelise Porter

Director | Architect (ARBV, RAIA) & Interior Designer

With 25 years of experience across Australia, the Middle East, Africa, and India, Annelise Porter brings unique insight and a globally informed perspective to architecture and interior design. Her work spans cultural institutions, single and multi-level residential and commercial developments, education, infrastructure, and retail innovation, balancing design excellence with sustainability and heritage sensitivity.

Annelise is passionate about using evidence-based methods to inform project briefs and stress-test design solutions throughout development. Drawing on her experience as a musician, mathematician, and spatial designer, she embraces the creative and analytical ways of thinking that reclaim the architect’s role as a strategic innovator. She integrates qualitative human-centred design approaches with advanced digital simulations of pedestrian movement, operational flow modelling, and data analytics to create scenario-based visualisations early in projects using workflow tools adapted from mechatronics and methodologies to improve alignment, reduce design risk, and identify both construction and operation cost efficiencies. Her approach ensures spatial environments holistically integrate people, process, and technology.

Notable projects include the McDonald’s Net Zero Future restaurant, Porsche Studios in Lebanon and Cape Town, the restoration of Singapore’s Raffles Hotel, and adaptive reuse such as Carlton Lanes End, featured on Grand Designs. She has led major education and master planning initiatives including the Victorian Seven Schools Greenfield Bundle and developments across the Middle East.

Beyond practice, Annelise actively bridges industry and academia through teaching, mentoring, and professional leadership. She has contributed to institutions including the University of Melbourne, RMIT, Abu Dhabi University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the American University of Sharjah. She served as an AIA International Chapter Councillor and chaired the 2018 International Chapter Architecture Awards in Dubai. Annelise currently represents the Australian Institute of Architects on the UIA Sustainable Development Goals Commission and is a Design Studio Lecturer at RMIT.