People
People
OMA is one of the most successful and acclaimed architectural practices in the world, Madeleine Swain speaks to David Gianotten, managing partner.
“Mike Ong from MODO must be on the list.” – Andrew Maynard MZ: Has there been a consistent approach to extending on your client’s desires that you have carried with you since starting your practice and where did this come from? Mike Ong: I grew up in a small weatherboard house that had a tiny […]
"The name DesignByThem was chosen because it represented the collective vision we had for the brand." Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis of DesignByThem discuss their brand, the future of Australian design and overcoming limitations.
This week we meet Ilan El, founder of lighting studio ILANEL. He discusses his 13m tall Deco chandelier, working with Save The Children, and his upcoming project in Melbourne's Malt District.
Thomas Bailey explains how the sheds and school buildings of country Tasmania sparked his love of architecture, a love that would eventually grow into him opening his own studio, Room 11.
"Often it's the little detail here or concept there; that cool idea you got the client to agree to, that component or part of the programme that brings a sense of play, something that makes you stop and say, 'Cool'." ADR meets Kurt Crisp and Peter Ahern, co-founders and directors of buck&simple. The pair discusses how details can make a project, taking risky, but great leaps, and the thrill of being free of plans.
"When I was a year into the course I had a ‘duh’ moment, realising that of course I was destined for interior architecture… I was the daughter of a builder!" This week we meet Nicole Pollak, co-owner and managing director of Siren Design. Pollak discusses what it takes to be a director, her love for MONA and how she finally realised her passion...when it was under her nose all along.
A great merger is like a great marriage, with two parties finding they are better together than they were on their own. But how do you find the one who will be the right fit? Paul Gillett and Dimitty Andersen of Grieve Gillett Andersen say their experience was very like a courtship. And so far it's been a very happy marriage indeed.
"Mother Nature is the greatest architect." ADR talks to Steele Olney, founding director of Studio Dot, a practice that he named after his daughter. Olney discusses how travel made him a rounded architect, designing his family home, and his teenage dream of designing cars.
“Abernethy brings a unique perspective to our architecture community. She has been making beautiful, resolved work in Australia from her home base in Lugano, Switzerland for the last 10 years. She has to be more than just a clever designer to deliver this quality result; collaboration and negotiation are no doubt her strengths. It will […]
This week we meet Gerald Matthews, managing director at Matthews Architects, which his father founded in 1975. Matthews discusses how a shipwreck inspires his work, what it's like taking charge of the family business, and the importance of cross-pollination.
This week we meet Marcus Ieraci, senior design lead at Hayball. Ieraci discusses the rise of pre-fab in student housing, how his daughters inspire him, and what the '!' moment is.
With a clearly defined aesthetic and philosophical stance, Koichi Takada’s career has enjoyed a sharp trajectory. Having studied and graduated from the City University of New York and the Architectural Association, London, Takada’s particular talent has always been in good hands. Indeed, his thesis was under the guidance of Alejandro Zaera-Polo and Farshid Moussavi, together […]
"I am doing what I love, I work relentlessly because design is a need not a want. I don’t have work/life balance, I have blend." Tracey Wiles, parrtner at Make Architects, discusses how her grandparents' houses sparked her passion for design, who inspires her and which of her children is her favourite.
With Architeam – a membership association for Australian architects working in small, medium and emerging practices – gearing up to celebrate its silver jubilee later this month, we catch up with the organisation’s directors, Rosemary Ross and Barbara Moje, to get an idea of where Architeam started and where it’s heading. Starting out 25 years […]
"I don’t aspire to design the largest CBD skyscraper or the next Opera House. I simply aspire to work with our great staff to design and build quality buildings and living environments for passionate people who appreciate what good architecture can contribute to daily life." Craig Stoll from boutique practice Stoll-Long discusses his work in social housing, why it is more rewarding and the pleasures of designing his own home.
Alexandra Buchanan is an architect who grew up in an English country town, found her passion in the built history of Europe, and has settled on Australian shores with a practice of her own.
"When you're spending time, for example, with an architect in the houses they've built (often staying overnight to get last light and early morning shots) it's a fantastic experience." Award-winning filmmaker Catherine Hunter discusses her life and work, which spans documentaries on a number of artists and photographers, as well as architects Glenn Murcutt and Cox.
As the VIVID design competition is days away from being announced, ADR chats with last year’s furniture design winner, Bryan Cush.
This week we meet Hiromi Lauren, who worked with Harry Seidler for around 20 years and is now the director of her own studio, Shiro Architects. Lauren shares the lessons she learnt from Seidler and discusses winning the Australian Institute of Architects 2017 Queensland state commercial architecture award.
As second-generation, family-run business, Planex is a company that has continued to evolve and keep up with what designers need in steel lockers.
When people like Bill and Melinda Gates give away millions to philanthropic causes there are always those people who point the finger and say it's easy to be charitable when you're a billionaire. But what would they say to a tiny architectural practice in Denmark, which manages to do good and still be a successful business?
Anna Breheny of Gray Puksand's Sydney office shares her passion for biophilic principles and how she always knew she wanted to be a designer.
Movement through Australia’s expansive interior provided the inspiration behind Elliat Rich’s winning entry into this year’s Australian Furniture Design Awards. The Alice Springs-based designer took top honours with her piece titled Place. The highly original work can be described as a sculptural vanity – a kind of old-fashioned object evoking feminine ritual. The unit, which […]
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