Statement: Theoretical Position

Great Australian architecture doesn’t just imagine a brave new future it draws from a rich European tradition while trying to merge with a contemporary idea of what it is to be Australian. I believe that but understanding and incorporating indigenous traditions, by responding cleverly to a harsh climate and creating a nourishes the environment great Australian architecture can be achieved.

The story of international architecture during the 20th and 21st centuries has been about breaking new ground, finding new forms, then breaking them. This has been part of the story in Australia, but by far the most iconic buildings have been those that belong. Those buildings that find their place in nature and become part of the scene. They enhance rather than detract. Some famous works can appear cold and stark, many however are warm and inviting. They’re unassuming, yet share some inviting details.

The journey of buildings have been built before us tell stories of invention, creativity and passion for a brave new world. The world we have inherited must now look to the lessons from an interconnected natural environment rather than the separated functionalist ideologies of the past. By understanding these systems better, we can build a sustainable future.