INTRODUCTION “3 OVER / 4 UNDER” is an annual forum presented by EmAGN WA, providing an opportunity for three established and four emerging practices/practitioners to present and discuss current works. Theme: On Reality. Forum Location: State Theatre Centre, Studio Underground Speakers: Overs: Janine Betz, Craig Smith, Rebecca Carrick Unders: Jono Harris + Rhys Jenkins, Holly Farley, Olivia Chetkovich, Alison Paine This year, EmAGN WA are proud to present the theme “ON REALITY”, the 13th in our themed series previously exploring ‘On Site’ ‘On Weathering’ ‘On Home’ ‘On Language’ ‘On Re-Use’ ‘On Idea’ ‘On Technology’ ‘On Rejuvenation’ ‘On Forgotten’ ‘On Impact’ ‘On the Side’ and ‘On Beginnings.
“On reality”
ABOUT Creating architecture is the process of converting an idea into reality. As we walk along the path from idea to built form, we gradually uncover aspects of reality which influence our designs, such as site constraints, planning requirements, budgets, client expectations and so on. It is these realities which ultimately shape our projects. There is often a stark contrast between the perception and expectation of architecture and its reality. The profession enjoys a glamorous representation in popular culture which rarely reflects the reality of day to day practice. We also live in a time where technology has advanced to the point where, architectural images appear closer to reality than ever. Virtual reality and media means people can experience buildings before they’re built or visited, yet still expectations are constantly challenged by the reality. What realities have you had to face and overcome to deliver a great project? Has reality itself been another challenge or provided that aha! moment? Perhaps you avoid reality altogether and create imagined spaces or unbuilt works instead. September 2017
SPEAKERS REBECCA CARRICK COX & NAWIC HOLLY FARLEY Curtin University JONATHAN HARRIS + RHYS JENKINS Harris Architects JANINE BETZ Betzie ALISON PAINE Photographer & Graphic Designer CRAIG SMITH City of Perth OLIVIA CHETKOVICH The Architect Magazine
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REBECCA CARRICK Name of practice: NAWIC Date of practice commencement: 1995 Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up) Practice Statement: ` NAWIC is an Australian Not-For-Profit organisation formed in 1995 whose mission is to champion and empower women in the construction and related industries to reach their full potential. NAWIC provides a forum for its members to meet and exchange information, ideas and solutions. Ongoing Research: The association offers members an opportunity to expand personal and business networks, maintain awareness of industry developments, improve skills and knowledge, and make a contribution to other women in the construction industry. NAWIC has a chapter in every state, and these independently managed chapters are run passionate volunteers who all have full-time jobs in the industry. These hardworking run networking and leadership breakfasts, awards, annual general meetings, mentoring and the coveted International Women’s Day Scholarship, which is awarded each year to member involved in the construction industry.
by volunteers programs a NAWIC
Key Projects: The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Awards for Excellence is the largest event for the year. It showcases the achievements and industry advancements of women, men and organisations in the construction industry. The future of NAWIC is steady and strong. Our membership and relevance is increasing, and the Chapters continue to provide high-quality education, mentoring, awards and networking opportunities
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HOLLY FARLEY Name of practice: Holly Farley
Names of principals: Holly Farley Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up): Small
Practice Statement: Holly Farley is a Graduate Architect and PhD candidate at Curtin her Masters in Victoria, Holly worked in practice and adventured Americas. Holly’s unswerving interested in First Nations culture to explore the ‘wicked’ problem of housing procurement in remote Ongoing Research: Visual consultation Spatial use patterns Developing culturally supportive environments
Key Projects: Visual consultation Consultation through knowledge transfer
University. After completing around Australia and the drew her to Western Australia Aboriginal communities.
It was in 2014 when I was researching housing within in the remote regions of the northern goldfields, within a number of Aboriginal communities, when I was stuck by the limitations of typical architectural and anthropological consultation methods. Drawing on my experience in architecture and research, I developed a way of facilitating conversation about the realities of housing and how the participant felt the domiciliary environment should function – ‘The House Game’. The House Game addressed some of the real barriers to communication within these settings; budget and time constraints, difficulty in interpreting complex aspects of society and culture from questionnaire data, resolving the differences between what people do and what they say, and language barriers. In the reality of this context, The House Game was a way to develop a common language in which both the participant and architect could discuss architecture. A method where the architect was not in control of the spatial mapping or implying the activities which should occur within a particular space, the participant was. Because the reality is, the participant is always the expert when it comes to understanding the spatial requirement of specific sociocultural activities within their home and community. Holly Farley 2017
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JONATHAN HARRIS + RHYS JENKINS Name of practice: Harris Architects
Names of principals: Jono Harris + Rhys Jenkins
Date of practice commencement: 2010
Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up): Small
Practice Statement: Harris Architects is a boutique practice based in Fremantle with a developing body of work that reflects a strong interest and focus on housing typologies. Through this work the practice interrogates the role of architecture to provide housing that meets the challenges of our changing cities. The practice believes architects must play a far greater role in shaping the housing sector, to ensure that quality built form outcomes are delivered that improve the sustainability, sociability and affordability of living in our urban environment.
Ongoing Research: Housing Affordability Sustainable and social strata living innovation New and different construction methodology Key Projects: Evermore, White Gum Valley High Tide Pavilion
The process begins with a rush of blood and the feeling of vast opportunity; the exhilaration of a new architectural project, the first step on a journey with a brave client, and a fresh site offering new prospects. Anything could be possible.
Raw enthusiasm provides the drive for generating courageous architectural ideas, concepts start to emerge. This project is going to push boundaries; building forms will float or anchor into the ground, materials will be stretched to their limitations and used in new ways. We will challenge the way people live and occupy buildings. This will be the most sustainable and affordable building we’ve ever done. This is it, the sky’s the limit. This sense of opportunity and enthusiasm is quickly met by a landscape of realities; aspects of planning and building compliance challenge a projects vision. This reality requires extensive collaboration with specialist consultants and stakeholders to complete the detailed design, and all within the knowledge that we must clearly communicate our design intent to the contractor. No architectural practice is an island. To successfully deliver conceptual ideas into quality built form requires us to embrace the reality of outsourcing and collaborating. We draw on our past experiences for successful navigation. Occasionally though, a different reality emerges; a project that provides greater architectural control of the whole design and construction process. An ‘escape’ from reality. Jono Harris and Rhys Jenkins 2017
OVER
JANINE BETZ Name of practice: Betzie
Names of principals: Janine Betz
Date of practice commencement: A distant dream
Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up): Sole Ranger [small]
Practice Statement: BETZIE is a childhood dream yet to be realised. A sweet memory of a time without the constraints of reality but filled with a sense of wonder driving the curious exploration of and interaction with imaginary places. BETZIE seeks to connect the dots, challenge common perspectives and inspire thoughts of a re-imagined reality where sense of place, the human experience and social benefit take priority.
Ongoing Research: More a keen interest than 'research' is the interdisciplinary approach to designing our cities, in particular in response to climate change. As part of an expert collective, architects can be change makers and engage in discussions that shape public opinion and influence policy making beyond the built form.
Key Projects: Today the drawing board has become obsolete and the ability to sketch as secondary as neat handwriting. Virtual reality is the new substitute for imagination; an ability that has defined our profession for centuries suddenly loses significance. It becomes increasingly important that Architects think of new ways to remain relevant. To me, this means thinking beyond the building envelope and joining the global conversation about the greatest demographic shift in human history - Urbanisation. As governments around the world aspire to create smart and liveable cities, a collaborative response to urbanisation is needed that considers the triple bottom line and promotes community over individualism. The level of influence the development and construction industry enjoys is significant but Architects have yet to find their voice. We live in a bubble that promotes aesthetics and superficial originality; celebrating ourselves and nurturing our image as blackwearing, creative genii. Thus we limit our circle our influence and fail to initiate positive change. To me, architecture is not about buildings but the role they assume in the built environment. Whether they act as canvas of the urban fabric, covered in street art, or serve as interface between private and public realm is irrelevant to me. Emotional detachment allows a new perspective of a reality that is bigger than architecture. Janine Betz 2017
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ALISON PAINE Name of practice: Alison Paine Photographer
Names of principals: Alison Paine
Date of practice commencement: 2016
Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up): Small
Practice Statement: Alison Paine is an Accredited Professional Photographer (AIPP) and graphic designer who worked for large Perth architectural practice Cox Howlett & Bailey Woodland for fifteen years; the last eight years in the capacity of Graphics Manager and in-house photographer. In 2016 Alison decided to step away from this role as Graphics Manager to focus on photographing beautiful architecture full time, establishing her own company, Alison Paine Photographer. Alison is a published architectural photographer and has been photographing architecture and interiors for many building types including cultural, commercial, education, sports, retail, residential and justice. Alison collaborates exclusively with architects, interior designers, builders and developers to provide custom photography for businesses looking to show their work in the best light possible. Working alongside architects for fifteen years has given Alison an exceptional insight into the workings of architectural studios, building types and the design process. Being immersed in the marketing of a studio has honed her skills of seeing what makes a truly memorable photograph.
Ongoing Research:
Straight out of school I didn’t know what I wanted to be ‘when I grew up’ and as it happened I landed the job opportunity of a lifetime which shaped my career into something I love. I had fifteen years’ experience at Cox Howlett & Bailey Woodland as a graphic designer and photographer before going out on my own to become a freelance architectural photographer. I’d like to entertain you with tales from these humble beginnings as an outsider to the architectural world, my journey along the way and explain some things I’ve noticed about architecture and the combination of architecture and photography. Finally, I want to illustrate my life as an architectural photographer and why it’s not always as glamorous as it may seem. So I What What What What What
pose these questions: does a non-architect’s view of architecture look like? can architects and photographers learn from each other? is the reality of a shoot and post-production work? is the reality of competition within the two professions? is the reality of an architectural photographer’s life?
Alison Praine, 2017
OVER
CRAIG SMITH Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up): Small Reality & Some Sage Advice When young, Ross Donaldson & I asked Ross Chisholm for a single piece of advice on architectural practice. He replied “Have political friends”. We learned early the reality of how the world works. Architects lack a consistent political imperative. We have a great deal to offer but have not pushed our barrow, but if we don’t move into that space, someone with less talent and capacity will.
Authorities We are serial offenders in not observing planning rules. We tackle planning constraints with “better” concepts, only to be persecuted by planners. My advice - talk to the council before you put pen to paper and if all else fails read the planning requirements, get your designs reviewed as early as possible and be nice to planners.
Clients It is your job to make your clients good clients to let them produce better buildings. You can do the design by yourself.
My Practice Typical small practice, we specialise in what comes in the front door. I also do the odd article and book - Nothing that you wouldn’t expect. Work at the city is a little different, often about planning outcomes and different realities including the 3D city model.
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OLIVIA CHETKOVICH Name of practice: The Architect
Names of principals: The Australian Institute of Architects (WA Chapter)
Date of practice commencement: The Architect has been in circulation since 1939. OC: Editorial committee from Dec 2012 (3 Issues), Editor from Nov 2014 to May 2017 (5 Issues). Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up): Committee of 4-6 persons [small]
Practice Statement: The Architect is the official journal of the Australian Institute of Architects (WA Chapter) Ongoing Research: Key Projects: The Architect, Issues 2015-2017
The Architect journal was established as the official journal of the then RAIAWA in 1939. Its purpose was ‘to give to the public, the profession and the other various interests in the building industry current information in regard to the latest building methods, architectural design and construction, and other matters of a similar nature’. The reality of the profession at that time was RAIAWA membership numbers of just 57, no schools of architecture yet established, and the journal operating as a commercial publication.
In the nearly 80 years since much has changed – both in the profession and the media landscape. Understanding The Architect now as a record of our industry in WA – a snapshot of this moment in time - has shaped the way we have curated recent issues; raising questions of how we represent ourselves. What is ‘the reality’ and how (or are) we expected to reflect it accurately? Through the filters of curatorial themes, a desire to present some great work, personal interest and a little bit of chance each time, The Architect currently operates as a representation of ourselves to ourselves, and beyond. Olivia Chetkovich 2017
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