Karl Fender

Karl Fender
Director – Fender Katsalidis

Karl’s career began as an ‘apprentice’ to Robin Boyd—a Melbourne modernist architect of profound historical significance—whose influence as a design-focused mentor has shaped Karl’s architectural ethos throughout his professional life.

His passion for design awakened, Karl spent the majority of his formative years based variously in London and Rome, before embarking on a sabbatical to complete a Master of Architecture at Harvard University. More international experience would follow, this time in Southeast Asia, working out of Hong Kong and Bangkok.

Then, and now, Karl’s commitment to urbanisation, and to championing architecture’s contribution to the public realm has been unwavering, both within the profession and to the wider community. Currently Chairman for the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats Awards Jury, he has served as both national and state president of the Australian Institute of Architects, a Venice Biennale Committee member, and has sat on design review panels for state governments.

Combined with his indefatigable work ethic, this richly diverse background ensures Karl remains an active contributor across all design areas of the practice—locally and internationally—and a continual presence throughout the life of each project for clients