The business of architecture
When we are first approached by prospective clients, we have found that few fully understand what an architect does. Many interview draftspeople and volume builders also, and find it difficult to distinguish between the various levels of expertise and design engagement on offer. Invariably, a large part of our first discussion is devoted to explaining how... Continue Reading →
Wen Hsia Ang and BC Ang are the two halves of WHBC Architects, a young studio in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As they explained in their presentation at the recent National Architecture Conference, they regard architecture as an exercise in problem solving. Each project demands a singular idea that can define and carry it. To attest to this philosophy, their website... Continue Reading →
The 24th instalment in a series of lessons learned over the years. What do I know now that I didn’t then? What wisdom would I impart to my younger self, given the opportunity? This lesson also formed part of a lecture given for the May Process forum, The Jump, exploring the challenges faced when setting up a practice. Process is a monthly information sharing... Continue Reading →
What was it? The Australian Institute of Architects’ national architecture conference, held last month at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Creatively directed by Sam Crawford, Adam Haddow and Helen Norrie, it explored the “act of making; in the dirtiness, directness and honesty of architecture… both the machinations of the process, and the beauty, delight and... Continue Reading →
Bellevue Terrace interior, by Philip Stejskal Architecture Yeovil Crescent interior, by David Barr Architect Beach Road form the street, by David Barr Architect A series of fringe events around the national architecture conference, Making 2014, were conducted last week, providing visitors to Perth an opportunity to see more of the city than the conference centre and their... Continue Reading →
Chai Viticole (Vauvert, 1998) What was it? A lecture held late last year as part of the Australian Institute of Architect's International Speaker Series. French architect, Gilles Perraudin of Perraudin Architectes, discussed his works and search for a timeless architecture. The lecture was attended by a sparse audience at sponsor Austral Bricks' Brick Studio and hosted by... Continue Reading →
In the early 1960s, during construction of the Sydney Opera House, Jørn Utzon and his office designed and documented his own house in Bayview, 30km north of Sydney (1965, unbuilt). Utzon agonised over the extent of windows facing a particularly beautiful view. Should the wall be fully glazed or only partially? After many weeks of... Continue Reading →
San Sebastian Kindergarten, Münster 2013 What was it? A national lecture tour presented by the Australian Institute of Architects' 2013 Gold Medal recipient, Peter Wilson. In eloquent symmetry, Wilson returned last month to his alma mater the University of Melbourne to present the final lecture of his 10 day tour. The Carillo Gantner theatre was filled... Continue Reading →
Last week a recent architecture graduate from the University of Melbourne, Graham Bennett, asked via Twitter what his social network thought about working for free. The barrage of responses from architects and commentators, myself included, was rapid and a little outraged: It’s illegal. Claire Hosking It’s both illegal and illogical: if a practice needs you... Continue Reading →
Who was he? The name, Robin Boyd, should be known to every Australian architect. He was a Melbourne architect prominent in the postwar era, but many decades ahead of his time. He was a proponent of an environmentally sensitive and locally specific adaptation of modernism, a teacher, a writer, an ambassador for the profession, and... Continue Reading →