I wanted to become an architect at twelve years old. I have always been fascinated with houses.

Running my own practice, I now specialise in residential projects and houses. Residential architecture is my passion. I had no idea what architecture involved when I was younger; I just knew I wanted to be an architect. Houses are embedded in my wheelhouse through experience. I’ve had an absolutely crazy career up to this point. Mind you, I have questioned my profession at certain points – but the profession kept pulling me back in. I feel like architecture is a calling.  My practice, Fiona Winzar Architects, is now eight years old; young in terms of enthusiasm, but I have over 25 years of experience. What underpins architecture as a creative field, and the reason it continues to inspire me, is that’s it’s something the affects people. It is functional and artistic at the same time.

Sustainability is nothing new, but it is picking up steam in terms of becoming fully integrated into architecture practices.

Sustainability is a buzz word, but designers and builders have been experimenting with sustainability for a long time in Australia. Before I studied architecture, I researched alternative houses in places like Nimbin in Northern New South Wales, where solar, hydroelectrically-run generators and recycled materials were a necessity.

The Bromby Street house I have put forward for Federation Story, is unique though, in terms of pushing the limits of sustainability in Australia. It is a true German Passive House model – highly insulated and airtight. The house makes its own power and energy – the roof is a sea of solar and thermal panels to provide power, hot water and heating. At basement level there is a heat exchange unit to maximize energy distribution over the seasons and the basement is also used to naturally condition fresh air ducted throughout the house. I guess it is a type of power house!

On a global level, the trend of the ‘Dutch nothing’ farm shed form is passé, replaced with much more interesting, and complex designs. This is in part because certain materials, insulation and solar technology that were previously unavailable, now are. Today architects can achieve a dynamic form without compromising energy performance. In the past, the emphasis was on fewer windows and the simple box form as a means of conserving energy. Conformity in design need not exist anymore. The only constraint now is cost which will hopefully improve over time.

Our current roster of projects is taking our practice to new heights.

Fiona Winzar Architects currently has three exciting and challenging projects pushing the limits of design within high energy performance parameters. At Bromby Street, scaffolding is down and construction is heading towards completion. Our first regional house in the Alpine District at Westons Lane is another super high performance German passive house project. FWA has also been commissioned to design a new high performance house in South Melbourne’s beautiful Napier Street. We are now attracting clients in an organic way. They are coming to us because they know what they can expect, and understand our capabilities. Our practice specialises in uniquely tailored solutions. We focus on taking our designs beyond what has come before, and creating something truly special and one-of-a-kind. Place and memory are the basis of what inspires the designs. Features of the site, local built fabric, the client’s interests and memories of their favourite places are where ideas stem from. Blended with an emphasis on ecologically and socially aware design, the result is that the spaces feel somehow familiar, comfortable and relaxed, while offering wonder and delight.

Fiona Winzar Architects’ latest project is pushing the limits of design.

Our client with the Bromby Street project initially gave us carte blanche. But once he realised that we had a sustainable focus, he brought his engineering background to the fore and the best team of energy consultants from GHD, which has allowed us to push for ground-breaking super high performance without compromise to the original design. The project has become an exciting ‘marriage’ of client and architect collaboration. The client has introduced technology from Oventrop and ideas never used in Australia before. This synergy has been so rewarding despite the challenges of cutting through the red tape that was involved.

Victoria’s trajectory forward in terms of style and practice predominantly relates to confidence in our unique abilities.

Unfortunately, Australia is technically behind the rest of the world in terms of meeting sustainability criteria, although our architectural design capability is world best practice. Whilst we are producing internationally-recognised design work, we do need to lift building standards and lower costs in order to make more of an impact, but we are certainly on track. Standards of building performance need to be and must be improved to respond to climate change.

I’ve been involved in the renovation of heritage buildings, which have their own unique sets of challenges. Each of my designs is site specific. With historical overlays, you have to allow the new design to fit the environment by using the immediate surrounds and influences, while utilising the existing built fabric. These factors shape the way that you respond to the challenge of both respecting history while also creating something forward-thinking. As a result, each of my designs is quite different because I am always tuning into the location and the different kinds of buildings in the area. In somewhere like South Melbourne for example there is a mixture of industrial buildings, cottages, expensive older houses and buildings – an eclectic mix of uban design to inform the design response. When it comes to heritage buildings, it’s not about recreating – it’s creating a new take on the influences, and being mindful not to simply mimic what has come before. This is where use of materials and creating new forms becomes vitally important.

My dream project is not one particular thing, but more of a philosophy about the creative process.

I’ve been involved with incredibly challenging but rewarding projects, but the best always involve a situation where you have a client who is trusting and supportive. This gives you freedom to create for them. However, too much freedom comes with its own problems as well. But if you are fortunate enough to have a supportive client, then the process is all the more enjoyable. The best part about architecture and design is seeing the building take form. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing your ideas turn into a reality.  The built form can go far beyond what you had imagined in the initial design process. That is the inspiring beauty of architecture!

For more information: www.winzar-architects.com.au