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This is the first interview in a series.


Name: Andrew Murray
Short Description of Work: Website that attempts to showcase notable examples of Western Australian architecture.
Education: Bachelor of Environmental Design, UWA
Website: www.perthsbest.wordpress.com 


1. Describe your style, as a friend would describe your work.

As a student my style is still developing but I am interested in economy over style and something that has links or references to the past. Some people might describe it as brutal, but hopefully still fun.

2. Recent work completed: written, drawn, or constructed. Can you provide a description or images?

Apart from the website, the last work I did was for my graduating semester with Peter Parkinson and Alina Iskenderian. The project was to put 3 houses on a 300sqm block. I explored resourceful use of materials and how the project would sit within the chosen site.

Design was to brick dimensions, and most surfaces left unfinished, face brick, unpolished concrete, brusque detailing and a lack of decoration.

3. Do you read Architectural press? Online, Hard Copy or both? Could you please list them?

Online I read DAU-Grain of salt. Hardcopy I read the Architect, AR, AA, Artichoke, Fabrications and Waltzing Moderne.

4. Could you suggest an article worth reading?

Not any recent articles come to mind. My favourite article, that completely changed my thinking as an architect, is “The Kronborg Clinic: The nether worlds of a dionysian disco” by Peta Carlin. It was published in Transition a long time ago. It is definitely worth a read.

5. Can you provide a link to an inspiring piece of design you’ve seen online recently? Local or Global.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/coda-studio/2918946736/in/photostream/

6.  A company/person you’d most like to design for.

Edmond and Corrigan.

7.  Western Australian Architect you most admire. Dead or Alive.

Simon Anderson. He has done so much to promote West Australian architecture, and highlight examples that were often overlooked. His built work is equally amazing.

8.  In your opinion, best piece of Architecture in the last 10 years. Local or global.

The National Museum of Australia, A-R-M. Absolutely rewrote the book on how architecture can be practiced, experienced, read and discussed.  Amazing doesn’t quite cover it.

9.  Your intepretation of the public’s perception of Architects/Architecture in Perth.

I do not have much experience in this realm yet, but so far I tend to think that Architects in general are still under appreciated. Especially in Perth, there seems to be a mentality that Architects don’t really know what they are doing and the public could do better. That said there are a lot of people who genuinely believe in what Architects are doing and are willing to support them.

10. Any thoughts on the role of the 21st Century Architect?

I think the role generally of the architect in the 21^st century should be to become more responsible. Building passive solar and material efficient (things which should have been standard a long time ago). In WA I think architects should also actively be looking to change the public perception of architecture, and to contribute to a healthy design community which is severely lacking at the moment. We need more open forums, information sharing etc.

Perth Firm wrightfeldhusen Architects has had their website updated recently. Of note is an addition to the firm, the Project Architecture Series.

On offer are 3 (though more are to come) housing types designed for standard residential block sizes. The houses are characteristic of the wrightfeldhusen style, following ESD design principles and add-ons such as grey-water systems and photovoltaics.

A quote from their website follows;

A new direction in Residential Architecture… for the client with a modest budget yet with a passion for architecture and building sustainability…

The program is to develop and offer a series of well considered and articulate studies of residential architecture that can be fully constructed for budgets ranging from $500,000 to $1,000,000. We will make available a series of pre designed houses that can be replicated and sited on a number of different properties yet will be environmentally appropriate for the uniqueness of its specific location.  

Other projects have been added to the site, notably the Cosmetic Clinic. This building in Subiaco received an A.I.A Commendation in the Western Australian awards 2007. Also added is the works in progress that includes photos and renders of works that will be completed over the next 2 years.