Anna Maskiell, Co-Founder PRL

It’s not about the building.

‘People don't need or want an architectural object parachuted into their community. My passion is unearthing the poetry and power of place by paying careful attention to who is here, how they want to be and belong.

We make architecture around your community’s needs and stories.’

Anna works across all our projects, ensuring they are grounded in our values and leverage our team's expertise and experience. She leads engagement with key stakeholders to tease out risks, opportunities and key issues. She then works with the team to craft responses that mitigate risks, maximise opportunities and create authentic, unique places. And as a small business owner, Anna is also head of HR, marketing, finance etc! 

Top Assets 

  1. Buckets of creativity and energy leading to innovative solutions 

  2. Sleeves-rolled-up grit that delivers them 

  3. Herding diverse/competing stakeholder needs with typical Libran diplomacy  

Selected experience  

  • Sole practitioner in the suburbs of Brisbane 

  • Mega multi-disciplinary firms and adventures across China 

  • Dulux Study Tour recipient (2012) that cemented PRL’s future focus: working with change-makers using the built environment to improve life 

  • Marten Bequest winner (2019) that enabled deep exploration of the key concerns of PRL through multi-year funding 

  • Livable Cities Conference presenter in New York (2023) 

  • Board Member of Footscray Community Arts

  • Passionate permaculture practitioner (bees, compost, food forest – you name it) 

What others say 

‘Anna is a champion for the value of design for our organisation, for our clients and for the community. [She] is able to explore and explain how affordable, modest, robust design can increase cultural safety, connectivity, wellbeing and sustainability – all whilst satisfying the very-real constraints of budgets, programs and bureaucracy.’  

Adam Sandford, Community Housing Professional 

Why did you start PRL?

Working as a standard ‘architect’, regardless of the size of the team, I consistently felt as though we were coming to the table too late to really amplify and harness the power of place.

Our clients were having to commit to sites and funding agreements before they had understood how this place was going to support their culture and strategy.

By then it was often too late.

Philip and | started PRL to join these dots and collaborate deeply and meaningfully with clients and communities trying to effect real change.