Contreras Earl Architecture (CEA) is led by Rafael Contreras and Monica Earl.

We founded Contreras Earl Architecture to design original, inventive, ground-breaking buildings that contribute to the evolution of architecture and toward a better future for our communities and cities. We create buildings, spaces, masterplans and objects that are biologically informed and digitally engineered. From mid-sized commercial buildings and mixed-use developments to high-end apartments and bespoke objects, it’s not about the scale of your project, but the scale of your ambition.

As architects, we are problem solvers and innovators. We challenge old conventions and contribute new ideas. We believe architecture should evolve with technology, and we embrace the latest technology to push the boundaries of architecture. By using advanced software, robotics, materials and construction processes, we are liberated from traditional building practices and forms, and free to explore more creative, avant-garde ideas.

Our design process is driven by the careful analysis of contemporary life and the desire to create buildings that coexist with the built and natural environment. We synthesize research and understand patterns in nature to deliver site-specific solutions that are rich, beautiful and functional – like the natural world. The architecture that emerges is innovative and advanced, imbued with warmth, soul and artistry. Sculptural forms and organic lines encourage public engagement and optimise environmental performance.

These are not just grand gestures or bold forms, but reflect our design ethos to realise a better world. Freed from tradition and convention, we can contribute to the evolution of architecture, and together we can create a better future for our urban and natural environments.

Rafael Contreras Morales

B.Arch (UPC), M.Arch AADRL (Architectural Association), CAP 9272

Rafael Contreras is a founding director of Contreras Earl Architecture trained in the fields of Architecture and Urban Design. Rafael was born in Lima and also gained his professional architecture certification in Peru from the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences (UPC) and co-founded his first architecture firm in 2004.  He is a registered Architect in Peru.

He later received a Masters of Architecture and Urbanism (Design Research Laboratory) at the Architectural Association in London, where his thesis project received Distinction and was widely published. 

Rafael’s years of experience and unique design skills saw him leading international teams working in Zaha Hadid Architect’s (ZHA) exclusive ‘design cluster’ in London where he worked directly under Zaha Hadid and Patrik Schumacher (current ZHA Principal).

For 7 years Rafael was design leader at ZHA on major commissions and competition winning bids such as the Grand Theatre in Rabat Morocco, the Tokyo National Stadium and the New Beijing Daxing Airport (world’s largest airport terminal).

Moreover during his time at ZHA Rafael was Lead Designer and Project Architect of large-scale luxury residential and mixed-use projects in Australia such as Mayfair St. Kilda, Melbourne, Grace on Coronation Toowong, Brisbane and Mariners Cove Gold Coast.

After Zaha Hadid Architects Rafael co-founded Contreras Earl Architecture together with Monica Earl in 2016.  Currently the practice is based in Sydney, Australia and is delivering a number of large scale mixed-use and landmark projects on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Monica Earl                                                                          

B.Des.Arch, M.Arch (USyd), MAUD (Harvard), ARB 10543, BOAQ 5416

Monica Earl is a founding director of Contreras Earl Architecture trained in the fields of Architecture and Urban Design.

Born in Australia, Monica is a Masters graduate of the University of Sydney, Australia and a Registered Architect having also won the Australian Institute of Architects prestigious Design Medal and receiving the honoured Frank Knox Fellowship at Harvard University to complete her Masters of Architecture and Urban Design. 

Monica’s experience in London crosses a broad range of sectors from heritage to cultural projects working for Foster + Partners, Carmody Groarke and acclaimed architect and theorist Farshid Moussavi where she worked extensively on the research and production of the book The Function of Style. At Foster + Partners, Monica worked on prestigious large-scale developments such as ICD Brookfield Place (Dubai) combining her passion for working across varying scales from the urban to the intricately detailed.

At Carmody Groarke she was involved in important cultural projects including exhibition design at the British Museum in London, Windermere Jetty Museum in England’s Lake District and an exhibition space for White Cube Art Gallery at Glyndeborne Opera House.

Monica’s Australian experience includes working for leading residential architectural firms Scale Architecture and Tribe Studio on high end residential projects.