Overview
Since 2003, 3 Over / 4 Under has provided a successful forum for 3 established and 4 emerging practitioners from architecture and related disciplines to voice their concepts, opinions, practice philosophy & design strategies through a series of short presentations.
In a rapidly changing climatic, social, and outcome-focused environment, we are often confronted with difficult choices. In some cases, these decisions have yet to come to fruition, but the groundwork is still evolving, or have already been made, and is rapidly gaining traction. These critical pivot points, sometimes purely circumstantial and happenstance, and at other times a combination of ethical and moral reckoning, financial viability, social outcome, or steadfast philosophy, are often springboards to other frontiers.
This is a call to reconsider the field of architecture and its educational approach. It's also an introspective journey for graduates, practicing architects, educators, and peers in tangential professions to disentangle their skills, passions, and values from conventional architectural practice. This process includes exploring alternative pathways and changes that you might have embraced along your career journeys.
This year's theme intends to showcase the narratives of individuals who have navigated within, around, and in-and-out of the architectural profession. We invite participants to consider the skills acquired through the architectural profession and education, as well as skills learned through life experiences, education and practice; skills that often become the driving force behind their decisions to explore diverse fields beyond architecture or to pivot within the profession.
These unforeseen opportunities play a pivotal role in shaping our values and skill sets. It's noteworthy that our professional training equips us with valuable aptitudes like multitasking, critical thinking, effective and inclusive communication and collaboration, and adept stakeholder management. Interestingly, these competencies are not typically emphasized in architectural education but frequently lead us to successful careers in various unexpected domains.
Organised by Sharaan Muruvan EmAGN WA
Graphic designed by Aileen Chew EmAGN WA Committee Member
Speakers
OVERS:
Paul Edwards | SITE Architecture
I commenced my career in 1997 as a student working for Parry and Rosenthal Architects which I continued after graduating from Curtin University, until registering in 2002. I decided to revisit my English heritage and settle in the UK after a brief tour of Bavaria, Austria and Switzerland exploring some of Zumthor’s and other archihero’s works.
In the UK, I elected to work for Aedas - a global firm with an office in the Midlands with in-house landscape architects, rather than opt for the traditional ‘London calling’. In 2004, I travelled through western Europe before returning to Perth and settling down at Woodhead, where I worked as a Project Architect on public / community and education projects.
Site Architecture Studio was formed in 2007, as a response to focus more on education and community projects exploring the notion of building with/as landscape. The Ningaloo Centre in Exmouth, Hale Junior School and the Karla Katijin - Bushfire Centre of Excellence emerged, as a result.
In 2022, I took the family around Australia for the year to experience and deepen our understanding of our country, its history and contrasting landscapes to explore the potential of informing the making of public places and space.
Kim + Jeff | Studio Atelier
Studio Atelier is a boutique design practice led by Kim and Jeff Swinyard, a dynamic husband and wife duo. Drawing from their diverse experiences in commercial, hospitality, and multi-residential design, they have carved a special niche in crafting boutique residential homes that exude warmth and accessibility.
Kim and Jeff are committed to creating environments that are both intentional and meaningful, believing that these spaces should not only look good but, more importantly, FEEL GOOD.
Significant life-changing events during the course of their careers were the catalyst for Kim and Jeff to reconsider how their backgrounds in architecture and interiors could reshape their future in the industry.
This led them down a somewhat unconventional path, where their passion for immersive, experiential design expanded their horizons into the realm of tourism. Their journey is exemplified by their award-winning personal project, @stillwood.retreat, nestled in the heart of Minang Noongar Boodjar in Denmark, WA. It showcases their commitment to creating extraordinary experiences that foster mindfulness and a slower pace of life. By celebrating daily rituals and fleeting moments, they connect not only with the built form but also with the distinctive natural surroundings.
Luke Davey | Artitecture
Luke Davey is Principal of Artitecture, a multidisciplinary practice that fuses art and architecture as it explores the spaces between places. Artitecture provides services in the creation, design and delivery of public art in addition to contractual services for architecture and landscape architecture firms across Perth.
Luke Davey is an artist and architect with experience across all aspects of creation and delivery within the public realm. From hand-made concrete Mini’s to Perth Arena, Luke has been instrumental in the development of Perth’s urban fabric at all scales.
With a strong knowledge base in master planning and an interest in the bespoke, Luke continues to create mythopoetic outcomes that enrich the day to day experience of the public through art and urban design.
UNDERS:
Anna Silva | SPH Architecture + Interiors
Anna Silva is a senior architect at SPH architecture + interiors. With eight years of experience in the field, Anna plays a pivotal role in leading both small and large-scale Industrial and Resources projects.
Most of SPH's Mining projects find their home in WA’s Pilbara and mid-west regions, but their reach extends across Australia, and as far as Papua New Guinea, and Peru. Throughout her career, Anna has had the privilege of collaborating with industry leaders in the mining sector, enabling her to gather and analyse data directly from village residents. These insights have been instrumental in understanding workforce demographics and needs, driving her commitment to ensuring that the broader social needs of the FIFO community are integrated into every project.
Anna's contributions have helped SPH establish itself as a pioneer in mining village design. Currently, SPH is delivering new and refurbished facilities, with a focus on prioritising equality, security, mental health, safety, and wellbeing. Anna and her team are rewriting the narrative for a part of the sector that had long been overlooked, ensuring that every village becomes a haven for those that consider these spaces their second home.
Kate Bowler | Aspect
Hailing from sunny Northern England, Kate is a registered Architect who has worked both locally and across the UK/Europe, in studios ranging from 4 people to 60. Whilst working on large scale complex projects in her early career, she found she naturally gravitated to the public realm areas and transitional spaces, leading her to work closely with the landscape and planning consultants. She was left wondering why we seem to draw distinct lines between external and internal design, carving leftover slivers of the site off for landscape and open space. Kate landed at Aspect Studios a year ago, where she is striving to lead sustainable projects that celebrate the transitions between the disciplines, blurring the lines between landscape, architecture, interiors, and everything in between.
Nanako McIntosh Architect, Director | Ellia Design
I graduated from the University of Auckland during the recession. I was one of the ‘lucky ones’ in my graduating cohort and managed to nab a highly priced internship at an award-winning local practice. I earned $400 per fortnight and supplemented my income with weekends waiting tables. Frustration led me to Singapore, where job opportunities and visas were abundant, thanks to the Chinese Building Boom.
I somehow landed in Perth and gained valuable experience at two Architectural practices and obtained my Architects Registration. The journey from Graduate to Registration was straightforward, with a clear goal. However, uncertainty followed my registration. I questioned the architect's role in the construction industry and the broader economy. Would our role become increasingly restricted, as D&C contractors and specialized project managers gained preference in handling the commercial aspects of construction projects? And what about reimbursement? Why is an entry-to-medium level architect’s salary noticeably lower compared to similarly qualified peers in adjacent fields.
To seek answers, I moved contractor side as a Design Manager, and then had a period as a consulting client-side Project Manager. I have now returned to architecture and have started a practice alongside my business partner and Interior Designer, Ashleigh Elliott. My ongoing quest is to determine how Architects can provide a desired and competitive service in this market without compromising our profession.