What is and what could be with Michael Clarke Architect

Episode Notes In this episode we push some technical boundaries as I speak to some ideas for experiencing site specific space whilst playing guitar. The undertaking is an effort to showcase the connection between music and architecture and how design ideas can come from outside the profession. We look at two songs to illustrate this point, one by me and one by Radiohead. We then briefly link these ideas to an experience of one of the main exhibition spaces at the Tate Modern in London, England by Herzog and De Meuron.

Episode Notes In this episode we conclude the mini series - "why an architect would say yes to a commission" by focusing on the third reason - that the commission is a good project. We talk through some stories to help appreciate what might make a project good and how this might be contrary to popular belief. For many architects the size of the project, project type and location are not necessarily defining factors.

Episode Notes Following on from episode 20 we talk about the second reason why an architect would say yes to a commission or increase visibility to a potential client or client organisation - because the project has a good client. Contrary to what some may believe this isn't a client that is always saying yes. Nor is it the opposite. Instead it is someone who is able to engage in the process and help the architect understand the characters in the design response to a specific client vision.

Episode Notes Recently I was talking to my business coach and colleague in my business coaching group about some current trends in architectural practice. They both indicated that they had always thought architecture, realising a project with an architect was an undertaking only available for the select few. They are not unique in their thinking. This compelled me to revisit the question "why work with an architect?" by discussing why an architect would say yes to a commission. Why would an architect want to work with a client? This comes from a place of compassion, sympathy, empathy for potential clients to help them remove that predisposition or forgone conclusion that working with an architect is not for them. That an architect would not be interested in their project. That engaging an architect isn't warranted or justified. We answer this question by looking at the three "goods" we are looking for when accepting or pursuing a commission. In no order these are: Good fee, good client, good project. We like to have two of these ticked before signing a project. Ideally we have all three. Rarely do we say yes to a commission that only has one. Today we look at the concept of a good fee and how it is linked to the overall undertaking - the time involved in realising a design response to the client's vision.

Episode Notes Like many others for years post university I had awkward conversations in social circles that went something like this: Someone: "What do you do for a living Michael?" Response: "I work for an architectural firm" Them: "So you are an architect?" Me: "No" Them: "Did you study architecture at university?" Me: "Yes" Them: "So you are an architect?" Me: "No" Confused? They were too. This is because the word architect is protected in the states and territories of Australia and graduating from university does not grant legal license to use it. Candidates (graduates) need to get registered which involves passing a national examination in addition to other things. For years I have been involved in courses that help candidates get registered so in this episode I wanted to answer a question that comes up regularly - "how do I get registered?" by answering a different question "why should I get registered?" Or specifically why did I get registered. This is a high level short discussion with limited detail for the benefit of candidates seeking to frame their study on the way to getting registered.Or for clients, consultants, contractors and other collaborators looking to appreciate what it means and how much it matters.

Episode Notes In this episode we tell a story of design development that occurred during construction for a project in 2012. It was a collaboration with a steel fabricator that resulted in a mirror finished stainless steel desk plaque that I lovingly refer to as the Michael Clarke plaque.

Episode Notes In this episode we talk through a story relating to a design issue that was developed and refined before and during construction. A collaboration between builder, structural engineer and architect. The story is a good example of how the design team can play an important role during construction. True to our way of thinking we linked the story (and the resolution of the design issue) to some popular culture, the 1981 film Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Episode Notes In this episode I spoke to Adam Russell. Adam is one of the directors at Saltbush Projects. We talk about Adam's experience studying architecture, the great firms he worked for and projects he worked on before starting his own practices. Adam led three different firms before a brief stint in the corporate world. After that he started the community focused practice - Saltbush Projects. From luna park rollercoaster designs, architectural tattoos, surfing, surfing injuries, surf photography, urban design and more it is a great conversation that we had in a shed (not a granny flat) that Adam designed. To work with Adam go to https://www.saltbushprojects.com/ Instagram @saltbush_projects Surf photography @snapstoke

Episode Notes In this episode we talk about the role the architect can have during the final stage of design realisation - construction. We often meet people that are unaware of the fact that there is a place for the architect and the design team during construction. A stage where one would think the design is finished/defined to a level of detail in documents submitted to a builder for pricing and construction. In this episode we talk about the value an architect can add during the construction stage, two roles architects can have and some examples of design development and refinement that occurs now that the project artisans - builder and their team - are on board.

Episode Notes In this episode we talk through the origin story of the title of this podcast series - what is and what could be. It came from an experience during final year university where I did not perform as well as I wanted to - in fact I failed. I failed because I didn't do a deep enough dive into the subject matter that was presented to us. Ironically this was workshopping an investigation into something that interested me. How could I go so wrong if I was leading the research? However, with some help from friends, my tutor and my love for playing music I got to a better place than I could have ever imagined.

Episode Notes In this episode we look at competing design parameters with a focus on an aspect of the design of openings to external walls. The example we look at is windows - which in itself is a big design consideration (as evidenced by an origin story I tell in regards to one of my earlier experiences reviewing the design of windows to the house I grew up in). However, the exercise comes with the complication that a fairly common client vision - maximise the extent of ventilation - is in conflict with the requirements for fall prevention under the Building Code of Australia. We talk through the options to resolve this using the case study of the replacement of all the windows to a heritage sensitive apartment block in metropolitan Sydney.

Episode Notes In this episode we look at the design focus during the detailed documentation of a kitchen for tender. We look at three aspects of a kitchen design that needed to be seamless, integrated and recessive. A kitchen that read as a continuation of the rest of the room. A kitchen that had surfaces that read like a wall that happened to have doors, drawers and the like. We look at the design focus under three headings - macro, detailing, materials and finishes and the selection of fixtures and fittings.

Episode Notes In this episode we discuss the importance of clear communication during design development and construction. Communication between the served (client/collaborator and associated representatives), the serving (architect, extended design team and builder) and within the serving team (architect to builder, architect to engineer and builder etc). We discuss a few techniques used beyond 2-d orthographic drawings (plans, sections and elevations) and how this could apply to circles beyond our industry.

Episode Notes In this episode we continue to discuss design during tender documentation as we felt we didn't go deep enough in the last episode. This time we tell the story of the detailed design to one element of a room in the soon to be completed Bondi Beach house. We talk about what it is, what the client vision was and how the design responds to the client vision. This is a bridging episode connecting design developed during the documentation of the building shell before we discuss the same for the building fit-out.

Episode Notes In this episode we celebrate a milestone achievement - the approval of the Development Application! We talk about the next stage - obtaining a tender price from a builder before construction starts. This is the stage where we define the design in more detail sufficient for the builder's team to understand what we want them to build. We discuss some frequently asked questions (FAQs) and frequently made statements (FMSs) relating to this stage. We talk through some of the design outcomes during the tender documentation for the "shell" of the Bondi Beach house.

Episode Notes In this episode we talk to town planner Nicole Lennon director and founder of Planik. Nicole has worked for several local government authorities as part of the development assessment team as well as updating and/or preparing new development control instruments. Nicole has also worked for state government and moved overseas to London before heading back to Australia to form Planik in 2013. Planik provides town planning advice for developers, property owners, architects and the like in addition to helping many Council's assess some of their development applications. With Nicole we discuss how town planners are trained, talk a little about the history of development control in NSW before discussing current issues in the DA process as of August 2022. To work with Nicole go to www.planik.com.au or e-mail Nicole at nik@planik.com.au.

Episode Notes In this episode we talk about the concept of the development/town planning application stage. How the design is developed and packaged ready for review by the development consent authority and their assessment officers. We also compare the assessment team to referees in sport who have to look past the quality of the "play" (in this case the design) and assess things under a different set of design rules relating to town planning instruments. The episode is a prologue to episode 8 where we talk to a town planner that will provide more insights having once worked as an assessment officer.

Episode Notes In this episode we talk to quantity surveyor Matthew Saunderson from QS +. Matthew is a quantity surveyor that started QS + over 20 years ago. Based in NSW Australia Matthew is a member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, lectures at various universities and is a regular guest speaker at architectural and design seminars and webinars. He works on architect designed residential projects with architects, designers and builders. An expert in his field and an asset to the profession we talk to Matthew about where construction cost is at, what a budget estimate is and when to obtain one. To work with Matthew go to www.qsplus.com.au or e-mail him directly at matt@qsplus.com.au.

Episode Notes In this episode we look at five examples where an initial project specific problem was used to inform a design solution. The examples are told as very short stories, parts of the overall project design evolution and realisation as presented to the client at the concept design stage. Two examples are from history, three relate to work by Michael Clarke Architects.