Newly elected to the ArchiTeam Board at the 2025 Annual General Meeting, we ask Jean Graham 5 questions to find out a little more about her.
Who are you?
I am Jean Graham, an architect and Director of Winter Architecture. My practice is built on a commitment to thoughtful, quiet design and a belief in the value of small, community-focused architecture. Over more than a decade, I’ve shaped a career that spans practice leadership, teaching, examining, and advocacy, each informing the other and enriching the way I engage with the profession.
What do you do?
I lead Winter Architecture, a practice that has evolved with me as I’ve grown both personally and professionally. Alongside this, I teach a final-year Master of Architecture studio at Deakin University, exploring design through hand drawing, making, and material curiosity. I also serve as an ARBV examiner for Part 3 candidates and co-curate the Geelong & Surf Coast Architects Group. These roles allow me to support emerging practitioners, build community, and strengthen the culture of practice.
What has been the scariest/courageous thing you’ve ever done?
Expanding my practice to two studios and a team of 11 was one of the most courageous steps I’ve taken—navigating growth, leading a team, and managing the realities of practice across different regions. Equally courageous, though in a different way, was choosing to scale back after becoming a mother, reshaping my practice so it could sit alongside a more balanced life. Both decisions required vulnerability, clarity, and trust, and both have shaped me into a more grounded and adaptable architect.
Who do you admire and why?
I admire architects who contribute quietly yet consistently to the profession—those who mentor generously, share knowledge without hesitation, and uplift others while continuing their own practice. Their humility, steadiness, and commitment to collective growth align strongly with the values I’ve built my practice around. They remind me that architecture is as much about people and community as it is about buildings.
What is it about ArchiTeam that made you want to get involved?
ArchiTeam has been a meaningful part of my professional life for 11 years. It represents a community of architects who understand the specific realities of small practice—its challenges, its rewards, and its importance within the broader architectural landscape. What draws me in is the spirit of cooperation, the genuine support, and the shared commitment to helping one another build better, more resilient practices. Becoming more involved feels like a natural extension of the value ArchiTeam has given me, and a way to give back to a community that continues to inspire me.
photo: tess kelly photographer