[5] Working in both Australia and UK, Carfrae has contributed (code word) to the design of many projects with notable architects such as Richard Rogers, Renzo Piano, Philip Cox and Thomas Heatherwick, these include: Lloyd's of London, Stadio San Nicola, Aurora Place, City of Manchester Stadium, Beijing National Aquatics Center (the Water Cube),[6][2] Helix Bridge, One One One Eagle Street,[6] Singapore Sports Hub, Coal Drops Yard and he is currently helping to complete the design of Sagrada Familia.
Carfrae joined Arup in 1981 and started developing computer software for the design of fabric lightweight structures, most notably the Schlumberger Research Centre at West Cambridge completed in 1985.
[7] On return to London in 1987, he joined Peter Rice and completed the engineering design of Renzo Piano's Stadio San Nicola for the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the structural stone façade for the Pavilion of the Future[8] at Seville Expo '92.
After six months in Tokyo, Carfrae returned to Sydney in 1990 and renewed his relationship with Philip Cox working together to design the Brisbane Convention Exhibition Centre.
Other notable Carfrae projects during the first decade of the 21st century include Lang Park stadium (with Populous) and the sustainability strategy for Barangaroo, New South Wales (for Lendlease with Richard Rogers).