CHROFI was founded in 2000 following the win in the international competition for the redesign of the TKTS booth in Times Square, New York. The practice studio in Manly is now home to a team of professionals headed by directors John Choi, Tai Ropiha and Steven Fighera.

Where We Came From

CHROFI entered the millennium with our founding project of TKTS in Times Square New York. Now widely acclaimed for the way the project harnessed both public and private benefits, whilst strengthening the underlying character of Times Square, CHROFI has carried this initial design philosophy throughout our firm. We see design as a tool to realise both commercial and public value, not just one or the other.

Who We Are Today

The practice studio in Manly is now home to a team of professionals headed by directors John Choi, Tai Ropiha and Steven Fighera.

CHROFI strives to provide only the best outcomes to both our team, collaborators and clients. We work with public agencies, commercial organisations and private individuals across a broad range of project scales and typologies. From master planning and feasibility studies to tendering and construction, CHROFI provides a complete architectural service defined by clear strategy, imaginative design, technical knowledge, and methodical project management. We make listening and design agility a priority so that our clients can be confident that their objectives will be delivered on time and budget.

Philosophy

CHROFI is internationally known for its ability to generate clear, captivating, strategic ideas that drive better outcomes for each project. We look beyond the site and brief to see the broader potential of the project as the starting point on the journey to a better design. 

Our firm believes that design is not just focused on the physical project in of itself but framed as an operative agency that drives urban, social, cultural, environmental, economic and political outcomes. 

Whilst this ‘big picture’ approach gives clarity to the practice's strategic thinking, the practice also endeavours to match this logic with a parallel pursuit for evocative architecture of unexpected delight.

Sustainability

As architects and urban designers, we are dedicated to protecting the environment and fostering an informed and engaged society. We believe that we can make a positive contribution to the physical and social environment and create places that people value and treasure. We are committed to this ideal in our work through embedding environmentally sustainable design principles into our philosophy; applying a strategic approach to place making; providing a dynamic and equitable workplace for staff; preventing and reducing our operational impacts and offsetting our greenhouse gas emissions.

Our urban design is founded on principles of passive sustainability strategies such as good solar access, natural cross ventilation, good access to private and public open space and access to views. While we also consider the importance of sustainable resource management including water sensitive urban design, management of water run-off, water reuse, solar power energy production, micro grid energy sharing initiatives or power monitoring and display systems which effects behavioural usage. 

For our architecture we consider the use of sustainable materials with low embedded energy, materials and detailing that lasts and requires low maintenance, and materials that can be recycled and decommissioned sustainably. Currently CHROFI is also exploring how to design with cutting edge technology like prefabrication (Mirvac Channel 9) and CLT timber which reduces on site wastage. 

We understand the potential for efficient resource systems to be established for waste, water and energy combined with design strategies for well-being.