INTRODUCTION
“3 OVER / 4 UNDER” is an annual forum presented by EmAGN WA, providing an
opportunity for three established and four emerging practices to present and
discuss current works.
Theme: On Beginnings.
Forum Location: PICA, Northbridge.
Speakers - Overs: Patrick Kosky, Dimmity Walker + Michael Patroni, Ian Scott.
Unders: Fernando Jerez, Mitch Hill, Kate Fitzgerald, April Pine.
This year, EmAGN WA are proud to present the theme “ON BEGINNINGS”, the 12th in
our themed series previously exploring ‘On Site’ ‘On Weathering’ ‘On Home’ ‘On
Language’ ‘On Re-Use’ ‘On Idea’ ‘On Technology’ ‘On Rejuvenation’ ‘On Forgotton’
‘On Impact’ and ‘On the Side’.
ON BEGINNINGS
What was your first project? Maybe this project was not the first you were ever
involved with; but instead the project that became the beginning, the critical
point that changed your direction or catapulted your career/practice onto its
current path. Often it is a house for oneself, a house for a friend or family
member, or maybe an office for your own burgeoning practice. This project may be
built or unbuilt, big or small, residential or commercial, local or international.
It is a landmark project for you, perhaps it won an award, created a long standing
love affair with a material or an ongoing experimentation in construction, lifelong
friendships or affiliations. This project could have been many different things
as newly completed or on reflection now; imperfect but promising, challenging but
rewarding... What do you consider as your beginning?
EmAGN WA
September 2016
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‘On Beginnings’
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SPEAKERS
PATRICK KOSKY
KERRY HILL ARCHITECTS
DIMMITY WALKER + MICHAEL PATRONI
SPACEAGENCY
FERNANDO JEREZ
SMAR ARCHITECTURE STUDIO
MITCH HILL
TRIAD/ASSEMBLE
KATE FITZGERALD
WHISPERING SMITH
IAN SCOTT
SPH ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS
APRIL PINE
ARTIST
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PATRICK KOSKY
KERRY HILL ARCHITECTS
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Name of practice:
Kerry Hill Architects
Names of principals:
Kerry Hill
Date of practice commencement:
1979
Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up):
Large
Practice Statement:
Kerry Hill Architects is a Singapore and Perth based planning,
architecture and interior design practice founded in 1979. The practice
has 5 directors and 3 associates. 40 staff members are located in
Singapore and 25 in Perth. The firm is committed to innovative and
regionally appropriate architecture. The practice has a strong commitment
to architectural solutions that exhibit a strong relationship to the
physical and cultural context of their site and environment. We maintain
a belief in the primacy and uniqueness of each site resulting in an
architecture which, whilst maintaining a harmony with site and context,
nonetheless advances new typologies and innovative building solutions.
The strength of this design methodology lies in the ability to produce a
memorable architectural experience which is carefully and sympathetically
responsive to its particular environment.
Ongoing Research:
Design competitions as a rapid process of exploration without the
encumbrance of daily project management.
Key Projects:
Kings Square, Fremantle.
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The beginning of a project can be a time of both anticipation and
trepidation..
How do we start?
And once started, how do we stop?
Design competitions synthesise and compress the early stages of design
through a rapid process of exploration.
They provide an opportunity for design research without the encumbrance of
daily project management.
The Kings Square Design Competition provoked a range of diverse responses
within our office, ultimately leading to a design proposal that was the
successful entrant for the competition.
The design solution for this important civic building provides an
opportunity to reflect on the dynamic processes that occur at the
commencement of a project.
This presentation will explore Kerry Hill Architects recent involvement
in design competitions as well as a more detailed investigation of the
initial design process for the Kings Square project.
Patrick Kosky
2016
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City of Perth Library
Photograph: Angus Martin
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DIMMITY WALKER + MICHAEL PATRONI
SPACEAGENCY
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Name of practice:
spaceagency
Names of principals:
Dimmity Walker + Michael Patroni
Date of practice commencement:
spaceagency (est 2000) - Formerly Michael Patroni Architects (est 1982).
Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up):
Small
Practice Statement:
At Spaceagency, we pursue design excellence as the primary outcome of all
architectural works undertaken. We subscribe to a philosophy that goes
beyond the stated outcomes of the individual project to attaining some
incremental improvement to the development and sustainability of our urban
and social environment and the evolution of the identity and universal
consciousness of this city.
Ongoing Research: Our “research projects” are occasional self initiated
projects that we build ourselves taking the opportunity to engage more
fully with the art of making, testing ideas, materials and spatial
arrangements.
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spaceagency architects (formerly Michael Patroni Architects), since 1984…
In the beginning there was Michael, whose early career success provided
the initial momentum that has sustained the practice to the present day.
Dimmity joined the practice in 1995, which marked another beginning as
partners in work and life.
We have always been a small practice, between 1-5 people, our work is
diverse, design driven and is often characterised by a site responsive,
holistic approach across architecture and interiors. The early work was
mainly in hospitality and residential and often within existing buildings.
More recently our work has broadened to include some larger scale, new
buildings in multi residential, commercial and urban design.
There have been numerous projects over the course of our 30+ years that
have provided the springboard for ‘a new beginning’ in some form or
another... and fortunately we continue to find ourselves at the beginning
of something; right now it is as the project architects for the first
‘Baugruppen Innovation Project’ demonstration development in WA, on a site
in Fremantle. Exciting times.
spaceagency
2016
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Terrace / Comben Place
Photograph: Giac Patroni
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FERNANDO JEREZ
SMAR ARCHITECTURE STUDIO
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Name of practice:
SMAR Architecture Studio
Names of principals:
Dr. Fernando Jerez; Belen Perez de Juan
Date of practice commencement:
2009
Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up):
Small
Practice Statement:
SMAR is a Western Australia and Madrid based group of architects and urban
thinkers operating with architecture, technology and society. Our projects
deploy near-future scenarios as critical instruments for instigating
debate about urban and social issues through design and emerging
technologies, in order to improve social and political interaction in
relation to the environment.
Ongoing research:
In the Era of Airbnb, Uber and open source and sharing economy, ideas have
become the principal currency. If Iconic was the term used to describe
the most relevant buildings of the XX Century. What Iconic means today?
Have ideas out-shined Icons, or perhaps more radically, are ideas the new
icons?
Key Projects:
Guggenheim Museum
Alvar Aalto Museum
MALI Museum of Contemporary Art of Lima
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We are witnessing a new industrial revolution. Technological and scientific
advances are occurring at highest speed ever. Their impact is not limited
to improving existing products and services; the present innovative
process has a disruptive effect, they are changing the rules in the world.
An app is as real as a building.
Traditional sectors such as tourism, transportation or leisure are being
overwhelmed by ideas. Airbnb, for example, offer three times more beds
than the largest hotel groups, while Uber has become just five years of
life in the largest transport network in the world.
In this Era of open source and sharing economy, ideas have become the
principal currency.
But in a world increasingly changing and dynamic, Architecture is still
offering the same products. Buildings are heavy and slow. Is Architecture
giving response to an audience used to interaction and multiple channels?
Although we begun our practice in 2009 designing buildings, it was in 2014
when we were shortlisted among 1715 entries from 77 countries to design
the next Guggenheim Museum in Helsinki, when we were able to test our
ideas internationally. Here, ideas outshined buildings. Or, perhaps more
radically, ideas are the new buildings.
Dr. Fernando Jerez
2016
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Guggenheim Helsinki
Image: SMAR Architecture Studio
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MITCH HILL
TRIAD/ASSEMBLE
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Name of practice:
Triad Studio
Names of principals:
Amy Mcdonnell, Sally-Ann Weerts & Mitch Hill
Date of practice commencement:
July 2014
Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up):
Small
Practice Statement:
Triad Studio was founded by three like-minded individuals, each with a
specific expertise in architecture, interiors and construction, enabling
the delivery of a unique and holistic design service. Together we work
collaboratively with out clients and selected craftsmen to provide highly
resolved design outcomes that are truly a product of our varied skills and
cross-disciplinary experience, and general enthusiasm for good design. Our
pursuit in every project is for the banal and ordinary to become rich and
meaningful.
Ongoing Research:
Interrogating the boundaries of traditional design delivery services and
blurring the lines between Architect, Builder and Client.
Key Projects:
Comet Pizza
Juicebox Agency
Wembley Golf Club
Supreme Coffee
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“Looking back at this presentation in the future as an “Over”, may likely
reveal a completely different moment, project or definition of “the
beginning”’. Which makes the concept of beginning a confronting one. Did
I have it? What was the project? Is it a long way off? As an Architect
we often have a long gestation period before our place in the design
community is really understood, not only by others but also ourselves.
For me the destination seems relatively clear but the path there not so
much.
I don’t like being defined by any of the roles I work in on a daily
basis, not an Architect nor Builder nor Carpenter. I feel it’s more than
that, with each profession contributing to the tapestry of that final
destination. At this moment, “maker” seems most appropriate, but I am only
at the beginning of discovering what that actually means.
So for the moment I have “Begun” a total of three times on three different
projects…”
Mitch Hill
2016
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Comet Pizza
Image: Triad Studio
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KATE FITZGERALD
WHISPERING SMITH
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Name of practice:
Whispering Smith
Names of principals:
Kate Fitzgerald
Date of practice commencement
Dec 2011
Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up):
Small
Practice Statement:
Whispering Smith is a firm that operates on the fringe of commercial and
residential architecture in Perth. Our niche is unique projects with an
entrepreneurial or social focus and we love to work with other people who
get it.
Ongoing research:
Whispering Smith is currently looking at ways of using architecture
to disrupt the system, and hopefully to help others become more be
entrepreneurial. We think architects should play a bigger role in the
built environment and we try to procure our own projects wherever
possible. We also like to dabble in making things like furniture.
Key Project:
A refurbishment for an indigenous corporation in the Pilbara in
collaboration with MSG Architects and a carbon neutral triplex in
Scarborough.
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What do I consider as my beginning?
I’d love to talk about beginning as an Architect. I grew up on a farm, and
learnt to drive at 6 when my legs reached the pedals. I’ve always found
architecture’s obsession with slowness to be strange. I was once told my
career wouldn’t begin until I was fifty! I can’t help but think that is
neat way to ensure we all take our fascinating skill set as graduates and
settle for minimum wage. Maybe we don’t ‘Begin’ being Architects in our
own right because the other pathways aren’t really advertised?
I didn’t do my time. I lasted 6 weeks at the age of 22 in a firm, before I
quit my architectural graduate career and never looked back. Three years
later I signed off all my own hours at ‘executive level’ and registered
as an Architect using the valuable lessons learnt from starting a design
practice straight out of Architecture school. Unorthodox, risky and
difficult... But in the last five years I have built an architecture firm,
started a nationally recognised social enterprise with 2 friends and was
female entrepreneur finalist. I have collaborated with other firms, been
mentored by the best, taught the love of design to the next generation and
am now building a carbon neutral development with my boyfriend and my Dad.
I feel architecture is stagnating as a profession at the time the world
needs us the most, and maybe it would be a good thing if more of us
started driving as soon as we reach the pedals? I’d love to share what is
a pretty weird, but also uplifting story, because there may be some archi
kids who would like to hear there are other ways to Begin.
Kate Fitzgerald
2016
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Carbon Neutral Triplex, Scarborough
Image: Whispering Smith
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IAN SCOTT
SPH ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS
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Name of practice:
SPH architecture + interiors
Names of principals:
Ian Scott, Jamie Penn, David Hall, Ali Devellerez
Date of practice commencement:
2007
Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up):
Large
Practice Statement:
SPH architecture + interiors is a team of dynamic individuals who value
creativity, integrity and excellence. We believe that design should reflect
these three core values and produce good outcomes for the client and all
end user groups.
Ongoing research:
Whisky, Classic cars
Key projects:
Henley Royal Regatta
Waterbank Community & Commercial Buildings
Willagee Anglican Diocese
Swanleigh Adventure CentreW
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I studied at the Mackintosh School of Architecture at Glasgow School of
Art in the ‘70’s and have worked on a contract basis for 27 years before
becoming a founding director of SPH architecture + interiors 10 years ago.
Contracting led to an interesting career working for over 30 firms in a
pretty diverse range of locations including Glasgow, Edinburgh, the Isle
of Skye, London, Muscat (in the Sultanate of Oman), Perth, Melbourne,
Sydney, Brisbane and the Government’s Special & Overseas projects Division
in Canberra.
Whilst I’ve worked on numerous projects ranging from the bizarre to the
mundane, there is one project that made a difference to my approach to
design ever since. I lost all reservations I had about my ability to
detail, to work a design through on site & making it up on the spot,
engaging with tradesmen and involving them in design decisions and having
fun in the process.
The building in question did not reflect in any way the Council approved
planning submission. It was constructed from a mixture of dimensioned
sketches, loose hand drawings a lot of pointing, doodling on walls and
discussions over pies and tea.
The remains of a medieval bridge were found whilst excavating the site and
preserved, the River Thames flows into the lower floor. It was opened by
the Queen, won several major awards and only when finished was the builder
finally presented with a drawing of the front elevation.
Fear nought.
Ian Scott
2016
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Henley Royal Regatta
Image: Terry Farrell Partnership
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APRIL PINE
ARTIST
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Name of practice:
April Pine
Names of principals:
April Pine
Date of practice commencement:
2013
Size of office - Small (1-5), Medium (6-15), Large (16-25), Extra Large (26 & up):
Small
Practice Statement:
April Pine was born and educated in North Yorkshire, England. Moving
to Australia in 2000 April attended Curtin University and trained in
Architecture, receiving her Masters in 2010.
April interplays elements of both architecture and sculpture within
spaces, considering how sculpture and installation works can react,
exaggerate and celebrate their context.

Ongoing Research:
A particular emphasis of research is in the progression of movement and
how art and architecture compresses and contracts according to pedestrian
movement patterns. Her work considers how people navigate in and around
threshold spaces and how art can engage with this.

Key Projects:
2016 Big Yellow
2016 Sydney Art Fair
2017 Sydney Laneways
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Three years ago I entered my first independent art competition, although an
unmemorable proposal, I’d discovered the joy of a pre-written brief.
There was something both refreshing and energising about an external
source creating ‘loaded subjects’ for contemplation, it very quickly
became a valuable tool in combatting the infinite possibilities of the
blank canvas.
I have since committed my emerging years to using competitions and artist
EOI call outs as a catalyst to explore new work, new techniques and new
ideas and thus broaden my palette. My art practice has subsequently
evolved organically each year, venturing into new territories of object,
sculpture or installation.
There’s a certain magic in not knowing where or how my body of work
will develop. Each project to date has engaged with a new, conceptually
appropriate material and with it I’ve experienced a new set of techniques,
restraints and surprises.
April Pine
2016
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Big Yellow
Photograph: Douglas Mark Black
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This 3 Over 4 Under forum was brought to you by EmAGN WA with support from
the Australian Institute of Architects, DORIC and Open House Perth.
www.3over4under.com