Why houses?

Over my career I have worked on architecture big and small, and the fact that I actively chose the small never ceases to confound some.

Some architects think big, really big. Some of us revel in the detail, right down to the minute.  And make no mistake, the world needs the both of us.

Our cities are made up of built forms that range from the seemingly insignificant (think sidewalks, bus shelters and that rail you grab when you are trying to haul your tired self up a flight of stairs), to those that loom large above us, shouting for our attention (bridges, skyscrapers and the stadiums that in different times allow us to gather in large numbers and scream support for our favourite teams).  Each and every one of those forms had a human being behind them.  A human being thought about what it would be like to use that sidewalk, grab that railing, call that skyscraper home.  And make no mistake, you can feel it when they didn’t give it the consideration it was due.

I design houses.  Those humble little buildings that we ask so much of.  They are where we return at the end of each day, where we bring our babies home to when they are born, where we retreat when we are sick, where we welcome our friends and family when we gather.  And this year, like never before in my lifetime, they have been where we shelter during times of trouble.  In one year alone (possibly the longest year in history, but still it’s only been one year), a home has protected my family from toxic smoke, a bushfire the likes of which I have never seen before, and a global pandemic.  Be they big or small, single or grouped together, our homes are sacred spaces unlike any other in our world.  Think about that.  Really, think about it.  Why wouldn’t I love that I am lucky enough to dedicate my working life to the celebration of such an important part of our lives?

The scale of residential architecture is ever changing.  Our projects range from a new kitchen in a much-loved townhouse, the extension of a suburban family home bursting at the seams, to new homes both big and small. I celebrate that homes come in all shapes and sizes, and designing to what we need in order to live the way we live right now, with flexibility, thoughtfulness, and consideration.

So, whilst I will continue to admire the thought, effort and design that architects put into all the buildings that make up our cities, I will continue to dedicate my time and energy to those most humble of buildings that make up our suburbs, and I will do so with great pride. There is no home and no member of our community, who isn’t worthy of that consideration.