Tonkin Zulaikha Greer

Tonkin Zulaikha Greer signify architectural practice in early 21st Century Australia. There is immense respect for and knowledge of the context, and a desire and expectation to create a great urban model. They have a reflective, self-critical attitude to their own work and its place in the city; an understanding of the value of working with existing built fabric and the cultural values it embodies; a constant desire to be contemporary in their formal solutions and the issues they embrace; a willingness to be experimental and to take each project on its own merits; and a profound respect for the discipline of architecture.

Tonkin Zulaikha Greer have been acknowledged as one of Australia’s most inventive and acclaimed architectural practices since their inception in 1987. Their work ranges across the entire spectrum of architecture in a large city context: from iconic public buildings to the detailed restoration and adaptive re-use of historic structures; and from pragmatic community-minded inner-city housing to expressive and unusual private houses.” Geoffrey London, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, Pesaro Press, 2005.


TZG’s architecture covers a broad spectrum including commercial, residential, heritage, urban and cultural projects. Recent award-winning works include:
- CarriageWorks Centre for Contemporary Performance, the $33m adaptive re-use of the carriageworks building at Eveleigh Rail-yards in Redfern.
- Paddington Reservoir Gardens, a sunken garden in urban Sydney.
- ‘Portico’ apartment complex, the $68m conversion of the historic Scots Church in Sydney’s CBD.
- Craigieburn Bypass, an infrastructure project including sound walls and road furniture for the Hume Freeway, Melbourne
- Casula Powerhouse, the creation of an arts centre out of a disused power station.

Other TZG work includes the iconic Vietnam Memorial and the Tomb of an Unknown Australian Soldier. At Sydney’s Olympic site Tonkin Zulaikha Greer were responsible, with specialist sub-consultants, for the design of the paving, lighting, street furniture and signage for the Olympic site. A focal part of this work is a series of 19 Plaza Pylons - 35m tall, solar powered lighting and amenity towers for the 1.6 km Olympic Plaza.

No two TZG buildings look the same. Each is tailor-made, a strong representation to the client’s aspirations. The variety is made possible by an inventive spirit common to all. Their contemporary forms, rooted in strong consideration for building usage, are underpinned by sound environmentally sustainable building principles, finished with an informed use of materials with elegant and robust detailing.

TZG’s energetic team of architects has worked together since the late 80’s on a wide range of public and private projects. They have developed efficient procedures for navigating the design though the construction period, all the time maximising the potential in the process. TZG embraces the future with confidence in technology, fascination for history and enthusiasm for the sense of place to be found within the site for any new project.

The directors of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects are Peter Tonkin, Brian Zulaikha, Tim Greer and Roger O’Sullivan.