A childhood love of playing with wooden blocks, building Lego houses and scribbling plans, along with a standard teenage dose of ‘whatever, lead Robert to studying Architecture at Melbourne University. Three years were spent with minimal engagement in the architecture course while learning to socialise, work at McDonalds and play the drums. A gap year of working and enjoying a European Grand Tour created a more motivated and mature student who managed to graduate in 1986.
Rob then worked for over 12 years in a variety of Melbourne architectural and interior design practices, ranging in size from sole practitioners to national firms, gaining experience in residential, education and retail architecture. He took leave of absence from his position as a senior project architect at Cox Architects in 1999 to be a house husband for a year, an experience his eldest daughter fails to remember. Rather than return to the larger corporate office he formed Caflisch Architects concentrating on small to medium sized projects with a commitment to personal service, a collaborative approach & attention to the details. With the contribution of a small team of dynamic architects he has established a practice where members participate at all levels of a project. This may also be code for getting others to do things he is not as skilled at – like colour selection. Rob is colour challenged but that does not stop him having an opinion.
In hand with his extensive experience Rob embraces the process of continuous learning and sees his strongest skill as the ability to listen to clients, consultants and builders to gain a greater understanding of life, design & construction.
Aside from work Rob can be found walking, cycling, reading, watching sport, talking politics, indulging in a rock snob’s passion for music & associated trivia, enthusiastically embracing the wonderful vagaries of family life or struggling with DIY projects.
