INTRODUCTION “3 OVER / 4 UNDER” is an annual forum presented by EmAGN WA, providing an opportunity for three established and four emerging practices to present and discuss current works. Theme: On Beginnings. Forum Location: PICA, Northbridge. Speakers - Overs: Patrick Kosky, Dimmity Walker + Michael Patroni, Ian Scott. Unders: Fernando Jerez, Mitch Hill, Kate Fitzgerald, April Pine. This year, EmAGN WA are proud to present the theme “ON BEGINNINGS”, the 12th in our themed series previously exploring ‘On Site’ ‘On Weathering’ ‘On Home’ ‘On Language’ ‘On Re-Use’ ‘On Idea’ ‘On Technology’ ‘On Rejuvenation’ ‘On Forgotton’ ‘On Impact’ and ‘On the Side’. ON BEGINNINGS What was your first project? Maybe this project was not the first you were ever involved with; but instead the project that became the beginning, the critical point that changed your direction or catapulted your career/practice onto its current path. Often it is a house for oneself, a house for a friend or family member, or maybe an office for your own burgeoning practice. This project may be built or unbuilt, big or small, residential or commercial, local or international. It is a landmark project for you, perhaps it won an award, created a long standing love affair with a material or an ongoing experimentation in construction, lifelong friendships or affiliations. This project could have been many different things as newly completed or on reflection now; imperfect but promising, challenging but rewarding... What do you consider as your beginning? EmAGN WA September 2016 2
‘On Beginnings’
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SPEAKERS PATRICK KOSKY KERRY HILL ARCHITECTS DIMMITY WALKER + MICHAEL PATRONI SPACEAGENCY FERNANDO JEREZ SMAR ARCHITECTURE STUDIO MITCH HILL TRIAD/ASSEMBLE KATE FITZGERALD WHISPERING SMITH IAN SCOTT SPH ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS APRIL PINE ARTIST 4
PATRICK KOSKY KERRY HILL ARCHITECTS
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Name of practice: Kerry Hill Architects Names of principals: Kerry Hill Date of practice commencement: 1979 Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up): Large Practice Statement: Kerry Hill Architects is a Singapore and Perth based planning, architecture and interior design practice founded in 1979. The practice has 5 directors and 3 associates. 40 staff members are located in Singapore and 25 in Perth. The firm is committed to innovative and regionally appropriate architecture. The practice has a strong commitment to architectural solutions that exhibit a strong relationship to the physical and cultural context of their site and environment. We maintain a belief in the primacy and uniqueness of each site resulting in an architecture which, whilst maintaining a harmony with site and context, nonetheless advances new typologies and innovative building solutions. The strength of this design methodology lies in the ability to produce a memorable architectural experience which is carefully and sympathetically responsive to its particular environment. Ongoing Research: Design competitions as a rapid process of exploration without the encumbrance of daily project management. Key Projects: Kings Square, Fremantle.
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The beginning of a project can be a time of both anticipation and trepidation.. How do we start? And once started, how do we stop? Design competitions synthesise and compress the early stages of design through a rapid process of exploration. They provide an opportunity for design research without the encumbrance of daily project management. The Kings Square Design Competition provoked a range of diverse responses within our office, ultimately leading to a design proposal that was the successful entrant for the competition. The design solution for this important civic building provides an opportunity to reflect on the dynamic processes that occur at the commencement of a project. This presentation will explore Kerry Hill Architects recent involvement in design competitions as well as a more detailed investigation of the initial design process for the Kings Square project. Patrick Kosky 2016
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City of Perth Library Photograph: Angus Martin 8
DIMMITY WALKER + MICHAEL PATRONI SPACEAGENCY
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Name of practice: spaceagency Names of principals: Dimmity Walker + Michael Patroni Date of practice commencement: spaceagency (est 2000) - Formerly Michael Patroni Architects (est 1982). Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up): Small Practice Statement: At Spaceagency, we pursue design excellence as the primary outcome of all architectural works undertaken. We subscribe to a philosophy that goes beyond the stated outcomes of the individual project to attaining some incremental improvement to the development and sustainability of our urban and social environment and the evolution of the identity and universal consciousness of this city. Ongoing Research: Our “research projects� are occasional self initiated projects that we build ourselves taking the opportunity to engage more fully with the art of making, testing ideas, materials and spatial arrangements.
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spaceagency architects (formerly Michael Patroni Architects), since 1984… In the beginning there was Michael, whose early career success provided the initial momentum that has sustained the practice to the present day. Dimmity joined the practice in 1995, which marked another beginning as partners in work and life. We have always been a small practice, between 1-5 people, our work is diverse, design driven and is often characterised by a site responsive, holistic approach across architecture and interiors. The early work was mainly in hospitality and residential and often within existing buildings. More recently our work has broadened to include some larger scale, new buildings in multi residential, commercial and urban design. There have been numerous projects over the course of our 30+ years that have provided the springboard for ‘a new beginning’ in some form or another... and fortunately we continue to find ourselves at the beginning of something; right now it is as the project architects for the first ‘Baugruppen Innovation Project’ demonstration development in WA, on a site in Fremantle. Exciting times. spaceagency 2016
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Terrace / Comben Place Photograph: Giac Patroni 12
FERNANDO JEREZ SMAR ARCHITECTURE STUDIO
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Name of practice: SMAR Architecture Studio Names of principals: Dr. Fernando Jerez; Belen Perez de Juan Date of practice commencement: 2009 Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up): Small Practice Statement: SMAR is a Western Australia and Madrid based group of architects and urban thinkers operating with architecture, technology and society. Our projects deploy near-future scenarios as critical instruments for instigating debate about urban and social issues through design and emerging technologies, in order to improve social and political interaction in relation to the environment. Ongoing research: In the Era of Airbnb, Uber and open source and sharing economy, ideas have become the principal currency. If Iconic was the term used to describe the most relevant buildings of the XX Century. What Iconic means today? Have ideas out-shined Icons, or perhaps more radically, are ideas the new icons? Key Projects: Guggenheim Museum Alvar Aalto Museum MALI Museum of Contemporary Art of Lima
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We are witnessing a new industrial revolution. Technological and scientific advances are occurring at highest speed ever. Their impact is not limited to improving existing products and services; the present innovative process has a disruptive effect, they are changing the rules in the world. An app is as real as a building. Traditional sectors such as tourism, transportation or leisure are being overwhelmed by ideas. Airbnb, for example, offer three times more beds than the largest hotel groups, while Uber has become just five years of life in the largest transport network in the world. In this Era of open source and sharing economy, ideas have become the principal currency. But in a world increasingly changing and dynamic, Architecture is still offering the same products. Buildings are heavy and slow. Is Architecture giving response to an audience used to interaction and multiple channels? Although we begun our practice in 2009 designing buildings, it was in 2014 when we were shortlisted among 1715 entries from 77 countries to design the next Guggenheim Museum in Helsinki, when we were able to test our ideas internationally. Here, ideas outshined buildings. Or, perhaps more radically, ideas are the new buildings. Dr. Fernando Jerez 2016
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Guggenheim Helsinki Image: SMAR Architecture Studio 16
MITCH HILL TRIAD/ASSEMBLE
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Name of practice: Triad Studio Names of principals: Amy Mcdonnell, Sally-Ann Weerts & Mitch Hill Date of practice commencement: July 2014 Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up): Small Practice Statement: Triad Studio was founded by three like-minded individuals, each with a specific expertise in architecture, interiors and construction, enabling the delivery of a unique and holistic design service. Together we work collaboratively with out clients and selected craftsmen to provide highly resolved design outcomes that are truly a product of our varied skills and cross-disciplinary experience, and general enthusiasm for good design. Our pursuit in every project is for the banal and ordinary to become rich and meaningful. Ongoing Research: Interrogating the boundaries of traditional design delivery services and blurring the lines between Architect, Builder and Client. Key Projects: Comet Pizza Juicebox Agency Wembley Golf Club Supreme Coffee
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“Looking back at this presentation in the future as an “Over”, may likely reveal a completely different moment, project or definition of “the beginning”’. Which makes the concept of beginning a confronting one. Did I have it? What was the project? Is it a long way off? As an Architect we often have a long gestation period before our place in the design community is really understood, not only by others but also ourselves. For me the destination seems relatively clear but the path there not so much. I don’t like being defined by any of the roles I work in on a daily basis, not an Architect nor Builder nor Carpenter. I feel it’s more than that, with each profession contributing to the tapestry of that final destination. At this moment, “maker” seems most appropriate, but I am only at the beginning of discovering what that actually means. So for the moment I have “Begun” a total of three times on three different projects…” Mitch Hill 2016
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Comet Pizza Image: Triad Studio 20
KATE FITZGERALD WHISPERING SMITH
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Name of practice: Whispering Smith Names of principals: Kate Fitzgerald Date of practice commencement Dec 2011 Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up): Small Practice Statement: Whispering Smith is a firm that operates on the fringe of commercial and residential architecture in Perth. Our niche is unique projects with an entrepreneurial or social focus and we love to work with other people who get it. Ongoing research: Whispering Smith is currently looking at ways of using architecture to disrupt the system, and hopefully to help others become more be entrepreneurial. We think architects should play a bigger role in the built environment and we try to procure our own projects wherever possible. We also like to dabble in making things like furniture. Key Project: A refurbishment for an indigenous corporation in the Pilbara in collaboration with MSG Architects and a carbon neutral triplex in Scarborough.
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What do I consider as my beginning? I’d love to talk about beginning as an Architect. I grew up on a farm, and learnt to drive at 6 when my legs reached the pedals. I’ve always found architecture’s obsession with slowness to be strange. I was once told my career wouldn’t begin until I was fifty! I can’t help but think that is neat way to ensure we all take our fascinating skill set as graduates and settle for minimum wage. Maybe we don’t ‘Begin’ being Architects in our own right because the other pathways aren’t really advertised? I didn’t do my time. I lasted 6 weeks at the age of 22 in a firm, before I quit my architectural graduate career and never looked back. Three years later I signed off all my own hours at ‘executive level’ and registered as an Architect using the valuable lessons learnt from starting a design practice straight out of Architecture school. Unorthodox, risky and difficult... But in the last five years I have built an architecture firm, started a nationally recognised social enterprise with 2 friends and was female entrepreneur finalist. I have collaborated with other firms, been mentored by the best, taught the love of design to the next generation and am now building a carbon neutral development with my boyfriend and my Dad. I feel architecture is stagnating as a profession at the time the world needs us the most, and maybe it would be a good thing if more of us started driving as soon as we reach the pedals? I’d love to share what is a pretty weird, but also uplifting story, because there may be some archi kids who would like to hear there are other ways to Begin. Kate Fitzgerald 2016
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Carbon Neutral Triplex, Scarborough Image: Whispering Smith 24
IAN SCOTT SPH ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS
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Name of practice: SPH architecture + interiors Names of principals: Ian Scott, Jamie Penn, David Hall, Ali Devellerez Date of practice commencement: 2007 Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up): Large Practice Statement: SPH architecture + interiors is a team of dynamic individuals who value creativity, integrity and excellence. We believe that design should reflect these three core values and produce good outcomes for the client and all end user groups. Ongoing research: Whisky, Classic cars Key projects: Henley Royal Regatta Waterbank Community & Commercial Buildings Willagee Anglican Diocese Swanleigh Adventure CentreW
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I studied at the Mackintosh School of Architecture at Glasgow School of Art in the ‘70’s and have worked on a contract basis for 27 years before becoming a founding director of SPH architecture + interiors 10 years ago. Contracting led to an interesting career working for over 30 firms in a pretty diverse range of locations including Glasgow, Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye, London, Muscat (in the Sultanate of Oman), Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Government’s Special & Overseas projects Division in Canberra. Whilst I’ve worked on numerous projects ranging from the bizarre to the mundane, there is one project that made a difference to my approach to design ever since. I lost all reservations I had about my ability to detail, to work a design through on site & making it up on the spot, engaging with tradesmen and involving them in design decisions and having fun in the process. The building in question did not reflect in any way the Council approved planning submission. It was constructed from a mixture of dimensioned sketches, loose hand drawings a lot of pointing, doodling on walls and discussions over pies and tea. The remains of a medieval bridge were found whilst excavating the site and preserved, the River Thames flows into the lower floor. It was opened by the Queen, won several major awards and only when finished was the builder finally presented with a drawing of the front elevation. Fear nought. Ian Scott 2016
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Henley Royal Regatta Image: Terry Farrell Partnership 28
APRIL PINE ARTIST
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Name of practice: April Pine Names of principals: April Pine Date of practice commencement: 2013 Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up): Small Practice Statement: April Pine was born and educated in North Yorkshire, England. Moving to Australia in 2000 April attended Curtin University and trained in Architecture, receiving her Masters in 2010. April interplays elements of both architecture and sculpture within spaces, considering how sculpture and installation works can react, exaggerate and celebrate their context. ďżź Ongoing Research: A particular emphasis of research is in the progression of movement and how art and architecture compresses and contracts according to pedestrian movement patterns. Her work considers how people navigate in and around threshold spaces and how art can engage with this. ďżź Key Projects: 2016 Big Yellow 2016 Sydney Art Fair 2017 Sydney Laneways
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Three years ago I entered my first independent art competition, although an unmemorable proposal, I’d discovered the joy of a pre-written brief. There was something both refreshing and energising about an external source creating ‘loaded subjects’ for contemplation, it very quickly became a valuable tool in combatting the infinite possibilities of the blank canvas. I have since committed my emerging years to using competitions and artist EOI call outs as a catalyst to explore new work, new techniques and new ideas and thus broaden my palette. My art practice has subsequently evolved organically each year, venturing into new territories of object, sculpture or installation. There’s a certain magic in not knowing where or how my body of work will develop. Each project to date has engaged with a new, conceptually appropriate material and with it I’ve experienced a new set of techniques, restraints and surprises. April Pine 2016
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Big Yellow Photograph: Douglas Mark Black 32
This 3 Over 4 Under forum was brought to you by EmAGN WA with support from the Australian Institute of Architects, DORIC and Open House Perth. www.3over4under.com