My background

My introduction to building design practice was in 1983, as the last employee of the prolific, sensitive and wise Eltham identity, the building and environmental designer Alistair Knox (1912-86).

One Spring afternoon in 1983, I walked up the bush track into Alistair's round bluestone studio, and asked to work with him.  By then, Alistair was semi-retired and only taking on a few projects. To my surprise he took me on as his 'sorcerer's apprentice'. 

Soon I moved into a wattle and daub hut on the property. Living on site meant I would spend much time with Alistair and his wife Margot, a formidable and accomplished creative spirit herself. Alistair was a great raconteur, and sitting around the fire I never tired of listening to his stories as he reflected on his life and work, from the mid 1940s when he initiated Melbourne's Modernist mud brick movement for which he is renowned, through to the vibrant sixties and seventies.

The day would start with lighting the studio fire and Alistair giving me a score out of 10, discussing the day ahead over breakfast, my tasks ranging from studio drafting, being included in all client and site meetings, traveling together to seminars in Melbourne and interstate, running errands and generally being his batman.

Every other day someone would visit his studio, painters, sculptors, actors, musicians, naturalists and environmentalists, owner builders and builders, architects professors who brought busloads of students, landscape designers from overseas and interesting people from all walks of life.

Such experiences for a 21-year old from the suburbs had a lasting magical and profound effect, which formed me and brought out my full potential.

I have been designing buildings, predominantly private houses, ever since, some continuing in the manner of Alistair Knox, but most in my own distinct expression.

Design approach

PEOPLE, PLACE and NATURE

My design process is a collaborative working relationship with my clients, paced to suit my client, and resulting in buildings that respond to my clients needs and wishes.

I am interested in buildings that express their genius loci, the sense of their place. These buildings are at one with their surroundings, grounded and nestling into their timeless landscape or urban context, as if grown from it, and yet contributing positively to their setting.

Buildings should also be of their time, yet timeless.

Sense of SPACE

It is Lao Zi’s sense of the space within that matters to me.

A sense of spaces which overlap, lead from one to the next, following internal view lines, like an unfolding journey.

Internal and external spaces become indivisible through blurred boundaries and considered placement of glazing, allowing the external natural world to be experienced: subtle changes of light and shade, the sound of birdsong, rain, dramatic thunder and lightning or the quiet and infinite starry night sky, all perceived safely from inside.

MATERIALS. story telling. engaging the senses

I value truth in structure and materials.  Beauty, subtlety, simplicity, gracefulness, inevitability and groundedness.

I am drawn to building materials, new or reclaimed, which evoke a sense of warmth and texture, engaging all our senses, not only visual.

Reclaimed materials with their texture, aging and patina tell a story, evoke romance memory and deep emotion.

thermal comfort

The old wisdom of solar orientation and passive heating and cooling are important to me. Much is understood of the importance of sustainable design, however the atmosphere of a thermally comfortable home does more than save on energy bills.

HOME

A home is a tranquil respite, womb -like, cosy and informal. Shared spaces where family and friends gather, celebrate passing occasions, sit around a table to share a meal and engage in conversassion.  Private and quiet spaces for contemplation and solitude.

A building that can engage your spirit and equally make you feel at home.