New Quay Unlocks A Career

The Age

Wednesday February 20, 2008

Paul Edwards

GROWING up on a farm outside Launceston probably didn't provide me with the kind of stimulus one would expect for a budding architect. Our farm was an absolute menagerie of chickens, cows and sheep. While a recession made farming difficult for my family, I do admit it was a fun place to grow up.

At school my passions were art and science, although I never topped the class in either. I'm a firm believer that people who are not pure enough at either of these disciplines find the perfect middle ground in architecture, where you can balance the mechanical with the inspirational.

Supported by my artistic mother and hardworking and pragmatic father, it was at Launceston University where I developed my passion for design. Mum and dad really understood the value of being trained professionally and I suppose this was what gave me the inspiration and skills I needed. I pursued work experience in graphic design because I thought I wasn't skilled enough to get into architecture. What a blessing this was - it truly opened my eyes to the value and complexity of design. I have a much greater appreciation for all the design disciples and learnt that when a person is driven by passion, success comes naturally.

I studied a bachelor of environmental design followed by a bachelor of architecture at the University of Tasmania and landed my first job with a Launceston-based practice called Glen Smith Associates.

My work there was predominantly documentation and most of the projects were institutional, dealing with aged care, hospitals, schools and the like. Although this was pretty dry to me at the time, I look back on it as an essential developmental period for me personally and professionally. I believe architecture is more than aesthetics; there needs to be a thorough understanding of the intricacies of design beyond just looking cool.

The learning years are invaluable to a young architect: many people graduate believing they will launch straight into a design career but you quickly realise how little you know.

One of the biggest challenges is helping friends and family understand the process of design. People are always puzzled by the concept of someone spending three months working tirelessly only to produce what they see as three bits of paper.

I moved to Melbourne in 2001 to broaden my experience and opportunities in design. I also felt that there had been a limited number of professional mentors and contemporary architecture available to me in Launceston.

At the time I thought that this fact had put me at a disadvantage but I have since realised that it was a blessing - I had no preconceptions and was willing to learn anything that anyone would teach me.

Graduates should approach the workforce with gusto. Passion and a belief in themselves are two of the greatest attributes an architect can have.

Going back to tutor at the University of Tasmania provides me with the perfect opportunity to instil such confidence in students who are looking to launch their careers.

Teaching also provides an interesting opportunity for introspection. Before standing in front of 30 students who sit with their pens poised to hear your thoughts on architecture and design, you need to closely and carefully examine what you believe in.

Teaching others makes me constantly revisit my work and really encourages me to think about architecture from a different angle.

Since moving to Plus Architecture in 2001, my career has taken off in much more of a design direction. The structure of Plus has allowed for exponential development and fantastic prospects for myself and the two other directors of the company.

The company was formed as the result of iconic Melbourne architecture practices SJB and FKA combining resources to manage the master planning and delivery of New Quay in 1997. It was a unique situation: two of Melbourne's most successful practices were creating a third, new practice.

The first project I worked on at Plus was The Nolan, one of five Plus-designed residential towers at New Quay. I was working under the guidance of Karl Fender on this project and it was the first of many opportunities that I have had to be mentored by some of the best architects in the country.

Plus is akin to a family succession story and has developed in such a way that the company is now an independent practice - sometimes in competition with its founding fathers! The beauty of this set-up is that we are never short of professional mentoring from the guys at FKA and SJB.

A company is nothing without its people and as a director, I channel much of my energy into human performance. At Plus, we aim to maintain our status as a medium-sized practice of 30-40 people to ensure that we have the manpower to contribute to large jobs, while still having exclusiveness to spend time on fewer projects of a higher quality. -- PAUL EDWARDS

CV

Born Melbourne, 1971.

Education University of Tasmania - bachelor of environmental design and bachelor of architecture.

Jobs Glen Smith Architects, Launceston, 1995; Plus Architecture 2001 (ongoing); tutor - RMIT and University of Tasmania (ongoing).

Career highlights Shortlisted for an urban design for central Berlin after the wall came down; winning a competition for ESD house in Bendigo; becoming an associate and then director of Plus Architecture.

Career lows Realising the lack of job security in the profession after losing my job.

Unwinding Travel, reading, exploring Melbourne.

© 2008 The Age

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