CRAIG NENER

M.Arch (Dist.) — Director, GROTTO Studio

Craig Nener founded GROTTO Studio in 2019 as a space to explore the intersection of traditional craft and contemporary architecture—with a focus on delivering projects that are thoughtful, enduring, and grounded in place. His approach is hands-on and collaborative, valuing clarity in process and depth in design.

With experience spanning private residential, commercial, and public architecture, Craig has contributed to award-winning projects both in Australia and internationally. He is committed to conserving the art of building—designing spaces that are not only functional and beautiful but rooted in the environments and communities they serve.

Born and raised in suburban Perth, Craig’s work is shaped by both local understanding and global exposure. He has studied and collaborated with renowned studios across Denmark, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland—including time at Herzog & de Meuron. This breadth of experience informs a design methodology that is precise, responsive, and deeply considered.

To Craig, architecture is a form of craft—no different in dedication or discipline to the trades practiced by his father and brother. This respect for making, for detail, and for the unseen labour behind every project is what defines his work and the ethos of GROTTO Studio.

2023–2025  Director, GROTTO Studio

2021–2022  Herzog & de Meuron (Basel & London)

2020–2021  Design Director at Collier Homes

2019      Founded GROTTO Studio

2019      Graduate Architect at MORQ

2017–2019  Post Architecture / Nic Brunsdon

2015–2016  Intern, Iredale Pedersen Hook

2015–2017  Master of Architecture, UWA

2017       RCR Arquitectos Summer Studio. Olot, Spain

2015      EMBAIXADA Studio. Lisbon, Portugal

2013–2015  BAppSc (Architecture) Curtin University

2010–2015  Architectural Draftsman at Meyer Shircore

2009      Construct. Arch. VIA University, Denmark

2008–2010  Dip. Building Design & Technology, TAFE

2007–2010  Trade Assistant - Carpentry, Masonry, Concrete

1989      Perth, Western Australia

JORDAN POL

M.Arch — Associate

Jordan Maurice Pol is an architect whose work spans some of the world’s most remote and dynamic environments—from resourceful construction in rural Africa to cutting-edge design in the UAE.

He has contributed to civic, residential, and cultural projects across Mexico, Chile, Switzerland, Kenya, and the Middle East, bringing a wide lens to every project he takes on. Jordan’s background in both design and making—carpentry, landscape, furniture, and large-scale architecture—gives him a careful, hands-on understanding of how things go together.

His work is grounded in buildability and clarity, with a deep interest in how materials connect, age, and hold meaning over time. Across this spectrum, what ties his experience together is a consistent sensitivity to place, detail, and people.

Jordan holds a Master of Architecture from the Accademia di Architettura in Switzerland and has worked with globally respected firms including ELEMENTAL (Chile) and URKO Sanchez Architects (Spain).

ADELE HOPEWELL

Interior Designer — Archive

Adele Hopewell is a core collaborator with GROTTO on interior architecture and design.

Working between Perth and Melbourne, Adele brings deep experience in residential and commercial interiors, custom joinery, and furniture procurement. Her involvement spans early concept development through to detailed documentation, specification, and on-site delivery.

What sets Adele apart is not just her knowledge of material and space, but the energy and drive she brings to every project. She approaches interiors with clarity, care, and a rare ability to balance aesthetic intent with practical resolution.

Her input elevates our projects through layered palettes, refined detailing, and a sense of atmosphere that feels both effortless and deeply resolved. Adele’s collaborative nature and design instinct make her an essential part of the extended GROTTO team.

BEN MURDOCK

Dip. Architectural Technician — Archive

Ben Murdock is a regular collaborator with GROTTO, bringing a focused and disciplined approach to architectural design and project delivery.

With over a decade of experience across residential, commercial, industrial, and hospitality projects, Ben’s work spans both the East and West coasts of Australia. His portfolio includes everything from boutique homes and multi-residential developments to large-scale logistics and food distribution centres.

Ben has a sharp eye for documentation, detail, and coordination—ensuring design intent is maintained all the way through to construction. He is especially valued for his steady leadership, technical clarity, and deep understanding of buildability.

With a background in both design and project management, Ben plays a key role in helping translate ideas into resolved, real-world outcomes. His presence brings structure to process and confidence to delivery—making him an invaluable part of the extended GROTTO team.