About OLEA Studio
OLEA Studio is a Northern Rivers–based architecture practice designing calm, climate-responsive homes shaped by light, materiality and everyday rituals.
Rooted in Mediterranean architectural principles and shaped by Australian experience, OLEA designs thoughtful residential architecture that feels grounded, generous and deeply human. The studio approaches architecture as something to be lived and felt, carefully shaped through light, materiality, proportion and spatial flow.
OLEA creates residential architecture that restores rather than overwhelms.
Homes designed to slow life down, support daily rituals, and offer a sense of ease — quietly, naturally, and over time.
Meet The Team
Clara Sotillo | Architect | M.Arch
OLEA Studio is led by Clara Sotillo, an architect and project manager with over ten years of professional experience across Australia and Europe.
Clara has worked in architectural practices in London, Melbourne and regional New South Wales, with a strong focus on high-end residential architecture, planning approvals and construction documentation. Her experience includes coordinating consultants, navigating local planning regulations, and delivering clear, buildable architectural outcomes.
Alongside this strong technical foundation, Clara brings a deep sensitivity to design, shaped by Mediterranean principles, an understanding of light, materiality and proportion, and a strong awareness of how architecture is lived and felt. This balance allows OLEA Studio to guide projects confidently through all stages of architectural design and approval, while maintaining a thoughtful, human-centred approach.
OLEA currently operates as a focused, architect-led studio, allowing for direct involvement, continuity and care throughout every project.
OLEA comes from the Latin name for the olive tree : an ancient Mediterranean symbol of peace, longevity and nourishment. Slow-growing, resilient and deeply rooted, the olive tree reflects OLEA Studio’s architectural philosophy: designing thoughtful, climate-responsive homes that are grounded, enduring and shaped with care over time.
Our Story
OLEA Studio is shaped by a Mediterranean upbringing and a life now rooted in the Northern Rivers, NSW.
Growing up surrounded by sun, patios, shared meals and extended family, space was never just about form. It was about how people gathered, how light moved through the day, and how homes supported connection, rest and ritual. Kitchens as the heart of the home, outdoor spaces as extensions of interior life, and architecture shaped by climate and time.
These values translate naturally into the Australian context. While OLEA’s design philosophy is rooted in Mediterranean principles, all professional experience has been developed in Australia, with a strong understanding of local climate, construction systems and planning controls.
OLEA operates at the intersection of these two worlds — translating Mediterranean architectural sensibility into residential architecture that responds intelligently to its place and context.
Our Values
Wellbeing through Architecture
Homes should support how people feel, rest and connect, not just how they look.
Light, Climate & Context
Good architecture responds naturally to its environment, using light, shade and materials with integrity.
Human Connection
Residential spaces are designed to support gathering, ritual and everyday moments shared with others.
Technical Clarity
Strong knowledge of planning approvals, regulations and construction underpins every project, allowing clients to feel supported and confident.