Robert Rolls creates exceptional houses that reflect the character and lifestyle of his discerning clients. As the founding director of First Impressions Projects he draws on more than two decades of experience looking critically at every aspect of design, building and carpentry, the latter a skill he finessed while working on the new residence for Australia’s Consul General in Kobe, Japan. As a further expression of his admiration for Japanese craftsmanship, in 1998 Robert and business partner David Read co-founded Cellar Creations. Their masterful execution of custom-made wine rooms, wine cellars and wine racks has won critical acclaim from clients both in Australia and abroad. All Cellar Creations wine racks are hand-crafted on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsular by artisans combining Boat Building, Fine Joinery and Japanese woodworking techniques. Each installation, either residential or commercial, is an optimum environment for any valuable wine collection. Informed by his interdisciplinary skills of architecture, building and woodworking, in 2005 Robert designed and built a Japanese-inspired home that included a traditional bathroom, dividing Shoji (screens) and Tatami matting. It led him to develop the Shoji and Tatami Company, which lovingly interprets Japanese artistry in high-end and challenging projects for clients who favour a minimalist Japanese aesthetic.All three companies, First Impressions Projects, Cellar Creations and Shoji Tatami work in a complimentary fashion and Robert places the highest value on creativity, innovation and individual workmanship.He prioritises communication between the client, architect and builder to deliver the consummate outcome. And as an innovator he embraces new materials and technologies at the vanguard of building. Environmental responsibility and sustainability are powerful considerations on each project. This approach has won him more than 21 awards including 2017 Master Builder of the Year and 2017 Best Custom Home Over $2M. His work has been featured in Vogue Living, Indesign, The Australian Financial Review, Australian Design Review and the Robb Report. Turning away the tide of mass production, and towards time out, Robert pursues his passion for carpentry by building a traditional Couta boat, which originate on the Mornington Peninsula. He lives there with his wife Natalie and their four children. First Impressions Projects is registered with the MBA (Master Builders Association); the HIA (Housing Industry Association) and Building Practitioners Board in Building Design (Architectural).