1. Why did you want to become an architect – why did it attract you?

I was 11 years old when I went on a family trip around the world and discovered the architecture of Asia, Europe and the USA first hand. In hindsight I would say I was inspired by both the intricacy of the detailing and the age of buildings I was experiencing. As I child I perceived these historic buildings as celebrations of wealth and achievements of man. They are detailed monuments that represented periods in history and cultures. As I grew older the desire to be involved in the creation of urban fabric became a passion. I was 14 when I attempted my first internal one-point perspective and discovered that as an architect you can contribute to both the larger external context of place and the internal detailing of space.

2. How have your practice and skills evolved during your career?

Over the course of my career my visual skill set has been keenly developed. I experience new places and spaces with the eye of architect. I find myself appreciating the details, materials and compositions of well-designed spaces. Storing the best ideas in the memory bank for future use or adaptation.
Since starting my own practice the desire to experience the project from the client’s perspective has also become important. Developing an appreciation of each individual clients project goals and their lifestyle habits, which help inform and tailor each project to suite the family for whom we are creating.

The evolution of technology over the Course of my career has meant that communicating with clients with a visual language is much easier, than when I
first began. As a profession we can now produce virtual 3-D buildings that allow a conversation about space, place and context. Providing Clients with a tool to help make much more informed decisions in relation to their project. The wonderful thing about the virtual models is their ability to be viewed on smartphones, tablets and computers wherever the client happens to be.

3. What is the favourite project that you have worked on?

To date my favorite project has been Bespoke House 2, the first house I designed and completed under the banner of my practice “Bespoke Architects”. The house is located in my hometown of Ocean Grove, just around the corner from my parent’s house. It really was a “bespoke project”, designed specifically for the site and house’s inhabitants (a childhood friend of mine and his family). To see something you have designed, in close collaboration with your clients, emerge from its site and fit into the surrounding context just as I envisaged was a very rewarding experience. To know that the clients are thrilled to live in it, and are looking forward to living in it for years to come makes the process all the more satisfying.

4. Can you comment on the state of architecture in Victoria – how has the style changed over your career and what does the future of Victoria look like to you?

The state of architecture in Victoria is constantly evolving and responding to both the needs of the community and the advancements in technology. Bespoke Architects is situated in Geelong. Both my Business partner and I grew up in the surrounding Bellarine Peninsula. And we both went to school in Geelong. We have witnessed the change of employment base in the area from industry to white collar and how this has translated in the built forms of workplaces within our area. Through adaptive reuse the old warehouse and industrial building stock is finding new life as creative hubs, universities and breweries in Geelong.

While new purpose built commercial premises are emerging on previous underutilized or vacant inner city locations. We have also seen a change in the
acceptance and expectation of sustainable design by our clients and the larger community. I’m excited about the future of architecture for both Geelong and victoria. We have so many wonderful opportunities to contribute to existing urban fabric. To enrich the architectural dialog and provide what building occupants currently need with an eye on the future use as well.

5. Have you been involved in the renovation and redevelopment heritage buildings or those with historic significance – what are the challenges of being involved in those types of projects?

Since starting Bespoke Architects I have completed a number of residential renovations on heritage buildings and older building stock. None of the individual buildings have been considered historically significant; however have found themselves in a neighborhood that is listed as historically significant. There are several challenges in these types of projects, often it’s the physical constraints of the site; and of course the clients budgets, especially if the existing building requires a lot of repair work. The other big challenge is molding the existing building to meet the contemporary needs of the clients, without losing the history or the character of the existing building. Our design solutions have involved both extensions that are sympathetic and blend with the existing building and those that offer a complimentary contemporary contrast

6. What is your dream project – if you could design any project in the world, what would it be?

My dream project would be one with no constraints. No budget to worry about and no planning limitations; a blank canvas. It would be nice to design something just for me, a holiday retreat in remote location that was close to the sea and the state forest, we are so lucky that there are plenty of these sites to choose from in Victoria. The retreat would be eco friendly, sympathetic to it’s environment and featured found objects. The retreat would be somewhere to escape, unplug and create.