Profile: Fowler & Ward

THERE IS A LOVELY SENSE OF RELAXED HUMOUR AND HUMBLENESS BETWEEN YOU BOTH AND YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE, IS THIS DELIBERATE, AND IF SO, WHY?

We’re firm believers that good architecture should be accessible, and I think our social media presence reflects this. Although it’s not highly curated, we’re aware of how important our social media is. We’re both consumers of other people’s content and it’s lovely to feel connected to work being produced by the broader architecture community so easily. Humour and humbleness also come easily to us because like any new business owner it’s easy to be racked with self-doubt You need to laugh about it and just keep pushing forward.

Who are your mentors? Idols? References? And why? They can be local or global.

From a business perspective, both of us have spent the majority of our careers working for women-run businesses both in Melbourne and overseas. I’m sure this has given us the confidence to go out on our own. Additionally, working overseas in an environment where people are unabashedly self-promoting was a surprisingly refreshing experience. The Australian self-deprecating manner makes us great employees, but I think it means we often question our ability. While my overseas experience provided an invaluable perspective, it also made us aware of the opportunities that exist back home – engaging with a client base who are interested and informed about design, and being part of a local design community who are always producing interesting and inspiring work.

Are there any aspects of architecture you’re still trying to really nail? A small detail that hasn’t turned out quite right, or an idea that you’re still waiting for the right client?

I don’t think we’ll ever feel like we’ve nailed architecture. That would mean it’s time to retire! So much of our profession is problem solving, from the initial stages of design through to working with builders on site. It’s pretty easy to find projects where challenges have been ignored. For instance, I’m sure the design and delivery of volume-built homes is pretty stress free, but the outcome then reflects that. I think as architects we’re essentially seeking out the challenges of any project. Sometimes you can address them in design, sometimes you jump on them during construction and sometimes you miss them, but you always learn from them and take that with you into the next project.

Elizabeth Campbell is a project architect at Kennedy Nolan with broad experience across single and multi-residential, cultural and commercial projects. She is a researcher, writer and contributing editor of Architect Victoria.