06 Nuts & Bolts
Inspired by the curves of the Swan River below, the textural quality of the surrounding landscape, and with design cues derived from luxury yachts, the form of the residence is fluid with almost no standard right-angle geometry to be found. Instead, the form of the building is a series of angled walls and curved junctions, the shape of the spaces informed by maximising the views, whilst creating a sense of privacy and serenity.
The Building Designers of Western Australia As we look back on the first year of WA members being a part of the Design Matters National community, it really is a remarkable journey that Building Designers have travelled in Western Australia. I spoke with Alex Willis from Willis Design Group who was one of the 18 founding members (figure 1), member number 14 in fact! He has much of this history stored in hard copy and shared some key dates with us. He recalls the idea of forming an association was first suggested by R.D Alvaro (Convenor) on 26 June, 1985. However, it was Laurie Maiolo on the 9th December 1986 at 7.30pm who formally launched the Association at its first meeting held in the HIA boardroom, Onslow Street Shenton Park. The second meeting was not until 12 May, 1987 at the Shenton Park Hotel where the first set of certificates were issued. The very first newsletter was released on 14 July, 1987 (figure 2) and the name changed to The Building Designers Association of Western Australia in mid 1992. By then the Association had grown to 46 members.
Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT) was established in Bentley and started their Architecture Department and The TED Architectural Drafting course was transferred to Leederville Technical College where it teamed up with Building Studies. WAIT became Curtin University and TED became TAFE. The drafting course remained at Leederville until it was transferred, in April 2011, to the new Northbridge Facility. During the 1990’s regional courses were started in Albany, Bunbury and Geraldton.
Over the past 30 years the association (BDAWA now DMN) has seen a transition through many formidable presidents and office bearers such as Laurie Maiolo, Mario Tascone, Ian Ogborne, Paul Wilson and Pip Smith. Each individual (you know who you are) has contributed time, energy and wisdom to progress the identity of building designers as a profession in Western Australia. Under this leadership the Association continued to grow and represented the talent and skills of our members. And now as we look to 2022 and beyond, the future for Building Designers in I also spoke to Stephen Young who has been WA is truly exciting. While we still have some an integral part of the formal education and battles to win as a profession, we have never qualifications for building designers. The been in a stronger position to do so. I Technical Education Division (TED) of WA encourage you to use the many resources commenced an Architectural Drafting course that we offer to members, to lean on us for at Perth Technical College in the 1960’s. It was support, education and opportunities as we based in the old James Street Building (now repurposed). Around the late sixties the course enter a new era for Building Designers. split off into two different directions: The West Hayley Sims State Manager WA & NT
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