Newly elected to the ArchiTeam Board at the 2025 Annual General Meeting, we ask Paul Cooksey 5 questions to find out a little more about him.
Who are you?
On a day-to-day level, it probably depends on how well I’ve slept or how much coffee I’ve had!! ‘Hangry’ me is also a different beast.
Perhaps more relevantly I’m an architect and father who has spent the past 18 years balancing practice with raising a family, mostly as the primary caregiver. The last decade has been based in Adelaide, following earlier years spent travelling and working in Melbourne, New Zealand and the Uk. I have been a member of the ArchiTeam CPD committee since 2021.
Originally from Manchester, I still cherish my roots there, the music, people, culture and a lifelong loyalty to Manchester United. It’s been a rough few years on that front.
What do you do?
I run Northern Edge Studio, a small Adelaide-based practice focused on renovations and new homes that thoughtfully combine mid-century sensibilities with contemporary energy performance.
My passion comes from respecting the architectural heritage of 20th century buildings while adapting them for future generations. I love the texture, light, notions of equality that these buildings have and love the stories that come with them. My aim is always to modernise in a way that feels like it’s the next chapter in that novel
What’s the scariest or most courageous thing you’ve done?
I don’t consider myself particularly courageous. I’ve travelled a lot, done some slightly wild things and tested a few boundaries in my time, but I have always done that with the privilege that comes from growing up in Australia and the UK, with supportive friends and family. I have to acknowledge that my risks are never as great as others experience. The courage of marginalised and disempowered people is truely something to behold.
I guess stepping into the role of stay-at-home parent while continuing to build a practice was a little bit outside the norm- not many house dads at the walking groups 15yrs ago- but it was worth it. It reshaped how I understand both work and family life, and ultimately gave me far more than it asked of me.
I enjoy a challenge and through sport and work, I like to step out of my comfort zone, and I’m always surprised at how much a person can achieve if they plan and prepare well.
Who do you admire and why?
My wife. She works in healthcare, and I see firsthand the resilience, intelligence, and empathy to deal with life and death on a daily basis. The quiet consistency of people working under pressure for the benefit of others is something I deeply respect. It puts a lot of the challenges in construction into perspective.
I admire storytellers — people who can construct narratives that expand how we see the world and our place within it.
In architecture, I admire those who are willing to stand firmly by their principles. I think we need more of that courage to move forward and keep improving the built environment.
What made you want to get involved with ArchiTeam?
Like many small practitioners starting out, there’s a lot you simply don’t know.
Having access to a network that openly shares knowledge and experience was incredibly valuable early on. Over time, as both my practice and ArchiTeam have grown, that value has evolved into something deeper — a sense of connection and shared purpose.
It’s an organisation that really punches well above its weight and echoes a lot of my own values- that fire burns brighter and hotter when many flames come together.
To all members reading this - thanks for including and inspiring me within that warmth.