Chris Malouf is an architect at DesignInc, and outside of work, he’s an artist, cyclist, rower, singer, horticulturalist and Archibald Prize entrant. We chatted to Chris about his painting and how being an artist contributes to his work as an architect. 

Chris’ entry for the Archibald Prize 2017, More Than You Know – Andrew O’Keefe, is an oil painting of the well-known television and media personality Andrew O’Keefe who is also a journalist, lawyer, activist and father. “The painting aims to present how society tends to look at people,” Chris explains. “Like Andrew, the painting is an invitation to begin a conversation, to challenge what you see and to learn and understand the unknown.”

Andrew directly faces the viewer in Chris’ painting with a split facial expression that suggests intrigue. One side represents Andrew’s thoughtful, intellectual self – his legal and journalist background; the other side expresses his artistic and creative self – his media personality. “The hint of the unknown shows through the forming smile, yet the tentative turn away from the viewer is a suggestion that you’re not seeing the full story,” says Chris. “It is the viewer who determines what they want to see, and depending on how deep they are willing to explore the more they will gain about the individual.” With this interpretive approach, it makes sense that Chris greatly appreciates the work of Rembrandt: “His paintings show a hidden side to people. And I love the way he paints hair.”


Chris did the painting over a six-month period, working on it for an hour at a time whenever he got the chance in the evening and on weekends. For next year’s entry, he is in talks with some well-known radio hosts but is keeping it under wraps until closer to the time.

Being an artist has contributed to Chris’ approach to architecture, providing him with the skills and imaginative foresight to consider how a proposed project could be conceived and engaged with. “I didn’t realise the art skills I developed at school would assist me in my architectural career, but this knowledge and experience allows me to comprehend how an artist begins the creation of a work, and then goes on to manipulate the ways in which someone will interact with the work and also remember the work,” Chris says. “Likewise, an architect has the unique position of imagining the future and bringing it to reality, so they also need to understand how society will change in the future and how the complex array of environmental influences will impact upon a building’s use.”

Chris studied architecture at University of New South Wales, and as he started his master’s degree, he also began his career at MASQ Architecture – just as the GFC hit in 2008. “I found it tough to get into an architecture firm to begin with as a lot of firms were not hiring. I approached MASQ and offered to work for free in order to get experience in the profession,” Chris explains. After one month at MASQ, they offered Chris a job and he worked there for three years while he finished his degree.

Following university, Chris worked on a range of retail, industrial and casino projects for The Buchan Group. He also worked as the Retail Design Manager for a Sydney Airport project, coincidently collaborating with DesignInc interior designer David Taylor while he was at HBO+EMTB. “Architecture is a small world, so it always pays to get on with people,” he says. Looking for a change in project type, Chris joined the aviation and defence team at DesignInc in 2016. He has since worked on multiple defence projects, being lead design on many (“I can’t say which ones or I would have to kill you),” as well as urban planning projects that include a new Melbourne freeway. He is currently working on boarding house projects for several clients.

Chris’ artistic skills and experience also contribute to his ability to be a quick and effective communicator. “In architecture, I need to be able to communicate an idea in several different ways whether it be through a written description, sketch, model or by drawing reference to a similar precedent,” he explains. “There is an increase in people’s wish to communicate in more frequent and varied ways, and involvement in art assists people to develop the communication skills they need.”

His love of art also shows in his interest of Victorian-era architecture and its highly elaborate details. “Those buildings displayed skill and brought multiple professions, including art, together in one form. The majority of today’s architecture is about the quick build for monetary return and the focus on great art as architecture has been lost.”

But wait there’s more. In addition to being a talented artist and architect, Chris has travelled the world as a trained classical singer; has been given the naming rights to a new breed of frangipani; and is involved with the design of DesignInc’s new cycling jersey for the Sydney to Gong bike ride.