The Building Designers of Western Australia

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.

I also spoke to Stephen Young who has been an integral part of the formal education and qualifications for building designers. The Technical Education Division (TED) of WA commenced an Architectural Drafting course at Perth Technical College in the 1960’s. It was based in the old James Street Building (now repurposed). Around the late sixties the course split off into two different directions: The West 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 WA is truly exciting. While we still have some battles to win as a profession, we have never been in a stronger position to do so. I encourage you to use the many resources that we offer to members, to lean on us for support, education and opportunities as we enter a new era for Building Designers.

Hayley Sims

State Manager WA & NT

“What I can say is that joining the BDAWA was the best thing I did for my design career. I joined as an associate in November 2003 and that really got my business going. I decided that I needed to contribute to the association and got onto the management committee and for many years was part of the member services committee. Through that involvement I developed some great friendships. The member services committee meetings were as much a social meeting as a work session to assess member applications as our meetings were held at various restaurants. The members of that committee still get together occasionally now over a meal.”

- Terry Mckewon

FOUNDING MEMBERS

1 LAURIE MAIOLO (arch) President 2 RONALD MASSEY (arch) Secretary 3 ROD JURICH (arch)Treasurer 4 ARMAND NOOR (arch) Committee Member 5 ALLAN MACDONALD (arch) Committee Member 6 LOU DI VIRGILIO (arch) 7 CHRIS ROBINSON (arch/struct) 8 PAUL JACKSON (arch) 9 RUSSELL JONES (arch) 10 LLOYD BAKER 11 KEN MEASURE (mech) 12 COLIN CLEAVER (mech) 13 MURRAY MIDDLETON (arch) 14 ALEXANDER WILLIS (arch) 15 IAN BAYLEY (arch) 16 DANNY PASAROS (arch) 17 SEBASTIAN RAVI ((arch) 18 GEOFFREY FRANCIS (arch)

Top Right: This project is both inspired by and a product of its site constraints, the raw natural landscape, robust materials and construction methods, and the Client’s active participation. The form has been shaped by the north orientation, views beyond, prevailing breezes, the slope of the site, and the Client’s lifestyle.

Right: Stealth Farmhouse 2.0 is a refined fusion of the traditional farmhouse and contemporary building design. Visually unified yet individual the two main pavilions have an elegant rhythm and repetition achieved with a complementary palette of materials and playful form. The dark-clad home blends into the environment despite the commanding facade.