The Naked Architect — A guide to commissioning an architect
SERIES 1
Are you looking to renovate or build a new home and have considered using an architect but don’t know where to start? The best way to truly appreciate the The best way to truly appreciate the benefits of engaging an architect is to hear straight from the architects and clients themselves, and in the homes they’ve created together. This is the premise of The Naked Architect.
The Naked Architect is an initiative of ArchiTeam and Open House Melbourne, with support from the Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV). The series was launched in 2017 and continued in 2018 as part of the year-round program of Open House. A third series is currently being organised for 2019.
Series 1 is available to watch via the links below.
Series 1. Episode 1
THE IDEAL CLIENT - FOOMANN ARCHITECTS
Jo Foong and Jamie Sormann formed the practice in 2008. The Foomann team work on projects in residential, hospitality, interior, retail and office design with a wide range of budgets. This broad experience has introduced the practice to a committed team of excellent building professionals and craftspeople. With a family of 5 and 2 sets of interstate grandparents, the residence of Ballantyne Street outgrew their existing three bedroom one bathroom home.
Series 1. Episode 2
MANAGING A BUDGET - ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTURE
Architecture Architecture is an award winning Melbourne-based practice, recognised for its commitment to contemporary architecture. As leaders in next-generation design, the practice strives to foster an awareness of the built environment and its social effects. In a row of workers’ cottages, there is one Dark Horse –a handsome creature. The stepped parapet, centred window, sidelined door and entrance awning are carried with the familiar, unassuming composure of its neighbours. Yet here the materials, stark in their composition, have a distinctly 21st century character, hinting at the contemporary home within.
Series 1. Episode 3
SCHEDULE AND TIMING - FRED ARCHITECTURE
Fiona Winzar is Principal of FRED Architecture a design and sustainability focused practice based in Melbourne. Fiona’s architectural work is recognised by the architectural community here and abroad with multiple awards and publications. The crescent shaped addition to this home in Victoria Road is an unexpected rear extension to a charming but formal Victorian villa in one of Melbourne’s most conservative suburbs. Instead of the box on the back, this extension is the remnant of a circular cut-out made into the rear north facing back yard. The project is layered with an eclectic mix of references and personal meanings for the client making the home highly personalized although the references are familiar enough to have universal appeal.
Series 1. Episode 4
STAGES OF THE DESIGN PROCESS - MCMAHON AND NERLICH
McMahon and Nerlich architects is a boutique practice based in South Melbourne, established full time in 2013 and formalising over 15 years of collaboration between directors Rob Nerlich and Kate McMahon with a wealth of experience in housing, education and urban design both in Melbourne and London. Avenue Apartment is a contemporary insertion above existing shop-fronts in Middle Park with oblique views to South Melbourne beach. Contemporary building techniques have been explored to enable speedy contraction of the concrete plinth, and screening, louvres and sliding partitions combine to create wonderful living spaces, roof decks and vistas towards the bay. This project proposed a contemporary architectural and urban response to the shopping strip, bringing the addition forward to match the surrounding context to the street.
Series 1. Episode 5
CONSULTANTS AND PRACTICALITIES - MODO
MODO (Michael Ong Design Office) is an award winning architecture studio based in Melbourne, Australia. Their design process is driven by a strong focus on quality and the benefits of good design. A process which is grounded by thoughtful design ideas, rigour and distinctive direction. Open house located in the sought after neighbourhood of Hawthorn East, this alteration and addition to a beautiful existing brick bungalow home is designed to enrich the family’s connection with their garden. Open House is a renovation with very sensitive changes, minor ‘extension’ to the existing house with more of a focus on modifying the rear of the house to change the relationship between the old house and the garden.
Series 1. Episode 6
CONSTRUCTION PROCESS -SONELO DESIGN STUDIO
Sonelo Design Studio is a bespoke architecture and interior practice founded by Wilson Tang and Elodie Lim. Their design approach is an aggregation of strong conceptual framework and subtle-yet-refined tectonic, an outcome informed by and responding specifically to the project brief and site conditions. Manipulating the sense of spaciousness is the epitome of the alteration addition to this inner city Victorian-era terracehouse on Elgin Street. Deft combination of the new elements, the courtyard, the dark mirror clad interior, and the tectonics, impresses a perceived spaciousness effortlessly unifying the new and the old.