BVN’s co-CEO is wholeheartedly inspired by the fresh and young talent in the built environment industry and maintains that architecture is a vessel for social good. 

Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30 program provides mentorship and career development in the architecture and design industry, bringing together game-changers, industry leaders, practice founders, product manufacturers, suppliers and sponsors to highlight and empower young architects and innovators of the future.

In celebration of the new ADR 30UNDER30 Architects and Innovators of the Built World stream, ADR chatted with BVN co-CEO and 30UNDER30 mentor Ninotschka Titchkosky on how the successive generation of architects’ passion for social justice, sustainability and innovative technologies renders them a force to be reckoned with.

Australian Design Review: As you prepare to take on the role of a mentor in the upcoming stream of the 30UNDER30 Architects and Innovators program, what motivated you to become involved and share your expertise with the next generation of architectural talent?

Ninotschka Titchkosky: The next generation of architectural talent will bring their passion for social justice, the planet, new technologies and great design together to see old problems with a new lens.

ADR: Looking forward to your mentorship role, how do you envision tailoring your guidance to the unique challenges and opportunities that young architects face in a rapidly evolving architectural landscape?

Ninotschka Titchkosky: Whilst I cherish the history of architecture as foundational, I see the opportunity in the future. Young architects have the potential to occupy this space, especially if they can have the courage to pave their own unique path. This might look different to what they think they should do or be.

ADR: The 30UNDER30 program emphasises innovation. Could you provide a sneak peek into the innovative approaches or insights you plan to impart to your mentees,  encouraging them to think beyond conventions while maintaining architectural integrity?

Ninotschka Titchkosky: Innovation requires curiosity and openness, a level of naivety and resilience to not give up. I know what innovation means to me, but it’s important to define it for the individual or organisation. This is a good place to start. Innovating as a verb or act of doing is a nice way to approach it – it’s a way of thinking, iterating, and seeing the gold in the gaps where most people don’t.

ADR: Mentorship often involves a two-way exchange of knowledge. How do you anticipate that your interactions with the mentees will influence or inspire your own architectural perspective and creative thinking?

Ninotschka Titchkosky: I have mentored other young architects within BVN and find it really rewarding. Reverse mentoring is when someone in a more junior role provides mentoring to the more senior person. This is a great way to get different perspectives. It has revealed some important things I wasn’t aware of and allowed me to test ideas, strategies through their lens.

ADR: As you prepare to engage with emerging architects in the program, how do you plan to foster a sense of community and collaboration among mentees, creating an environment where they can learn not only from you but also from each other?

Ninotschka Titchkosky: First of all everyone needs to make it fun. It’s very important to spend some time getting to know each other’s backgrounds, where they want to go and what their aspirations are. I also think creative problem solving together is a great way to bring a bunch of architects together. And of course, going away together is fantastic, sharing experiences in exciting new places, working and socialising together always strengthens camaraderie.

ADR: Fast forward a few years from now, reflecting on your time as a mentor in the 30UNDER30 Architects and Innovators program, what markers of success do you hope to see in your mentees careers and the broader architectural realm, driven by the impact of this mentorship initiative?

Ninotschka Titchkosky: I pass the baton to them. We see change in our industry. They light a fire under the belly of our profession. The world is their stage.

Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30 Architects and Innovators of the Built World stream is brought to you by major sponsor Neolith, alongside Miele and Tongue & Groove. The program is supported by practice partners BVN, HDR INC, SJB, Richards Stanisich, Williams Burton Leopardi and Billard Leece Partnership.

Photography supplied by BVN.

Check out the program here!

Read 30UNDER30 alumna Lia Poppolo discuss pushing through self-doubt.