Introduction

‘3 Over 4 Under’ is an annual exhibition / forum presented by Merge, providing an opportunity for three established practices and four emerging practices to present and discuss current works.

Theme: On Re-use Forum Location: Rosie O’Grady’s Pub, Cnr James & Milligan Streets, NorthbridgeSpeakers: Overs Philip Griffi ths, Dimmity Walker & Michael Patroni, Bernard Seeber Unders Joe Chindarsi, Marco Vittino &

Katherine Ashe, Sally Matthews, Wayne Dufty.

‘On re-use’ is the theme for this year’s event, the 5th in our themed series previ-ously exploring ‘On Home’‘On Site’‘On Weathering’and ‘On Language’.

This year our presenters are made up; 3 Over (established) + 4 Under (emerging).

On re-use This year’s theme seeks to explore the different concepts of ‘re’ through the discussion of our presenter’s projects, architectural design & practise phi-losophy.

On the one hand, re-use conjures many physical associations such as recycling of building material, retention of existing structures & built forms or the preserva-tion of site specifi c qualities. On the other, it evokes personal associations with memory, people, culture, principles & tradition.

We hope that the interest of re-use will form a colourful discourse for the 2009 ‘3 Over 4 under’ exhibition / forum and help explain its role and diverse char-acteristics in shaping the production of architecture and the infl uence on our speaker’s practices.

Yen Nee Goh and Geoff ChinneryOctober 2009

‘On re-use’

materialmemoryideas

Dimmity Walker & Michael Patroni spaceagency

Name of Practice:spaceagency

Name of Principal:Michael Patroni

Date of Practice Commencement:1988

Size of Offi ce: SmallSmall = 1-5, Medium = 6-15, Large = 16-25, Extra Large = 26 and up

No of projects completed for family members:3?

Practice Statement:We strive to express clarity of thought in our projects, conceptually, materially and spatially.

Ongoing Research:to be useful.

Current Projects: (key projects for the night)an apartment building, a couple of houses and a maybe sculpture.

On Re-use

Our practice is a body of work that can demonstrate many approaches to the notion of re-use. We could respond to this theme in three ways:

1.: Re-use of buildings, 2: Re-use of materials & resources, 3: Re-use of ideas.

We enjoy the opportunities presented in the re-use of buildings and strive to give consideration to the re-use of materials and resources wherever possible. But it is the re-use of ideas that we fi nd most intrigues us.

Is it possible to chart the journey of an idea through a series of projects to see how we re-use and rethink these ideas as they are tested in different ways?

In the future what will today’s buildings reveal about us and will they be able to be re-used?

Dimmity Walker & Michael PatroniOctober 2009

Sally Matthews Matthews Architecture

Name of Practice:Matthews Architecture

Name of Principal:Clinton Matthews, Andrea Veccia-Scavalli, Sally Matthews

Date of Practice Commencement:1999

Size of Offi ce: MediumSmall = 1-5, Medium = 6-15, Large = 16-25, Extra Large = 26 and up

No of projects completed for family members:2

Practice Statement:Matthews Architecture is a committed, vibrant company placing emphasis upon design integrity supported by hands-on building experience.

Ongoing Research:How to balance work life with a relaxed lifestyle, not sure we are winning at the moment

Current Projects: (key projects for the night)Queen Street, Zekka, Test Tube, Applecross residence, Jarrahdale Heritage Park

On Re-use

Building on a grounding of human history, human actions, human creations.Revisiting ideas formally held.Re evaluating opinions of the past.Re interpreting forms imagined.Re ordering patterns of habit and inhabitation.Re claiming built forms to be relevant.

Sally MatthewsOctober 2009

Philip Griffi ths Philip Griffi ths Architects

Name of Practice:Philip Griffi ths Architects

Name of Principal:Philip Griffi ths and Brandon Pratley

Date of Practice Commencement:December 2005

Size of Offi ce: MediumSmall = 1-5, Medium = 6-15, Large = 16-25, Extra Large = 26 and up

No of projects completed for family members:3

Practice Statement:We are a leading fi rm of architects with 30 years experience in meeting the needs of a diverse range of clients. The practice undertakes commissions in architec-ture, heritage conservation and urban design. The team has won awards for projects across all architectural disciplines and is currently developing a strong reputa-tion for architectural design to compliment its long-held standing as a leader in heritage conservation. Philip Griffi ths Architects delivers innovative solutions that embrace functional demands with elegance and simplicity while also fulfi ll-ing environmental responsibilities. We work closely with clients and foster open communication channels between all parties to ensure that we understand fully our client’s expectations at all times.

Ongoing Research:Project specifi c research

Current Projects: (key projects for the night)Catholic Presbytery

images: government house ballroom - completed 2005 the episcopal palace, perth, construction in progress 2009

Episcopal Palace, Perth

WRINKLE CREAM FOR GOLDEN OLDIES OR HOW BOTOX CAN HELP YOUR BUILDING

BackgroundThe project described in this presentation represents a further iteration in a process that has been going for over 130 years; a story that is almost as old as the State. If any building in Perth required the beauty treatment, it was this one. It took a little more than Botox.

The story begins in the period 1852-1862, when Bishop Serra and the Benedictines arrived. A substantial simple limestone, shingle roofed house began the sequence of development. The place continued to evolve in stages as it extended and changed in style. The simple large house of the 1860s was added to substantially in 1911, with its fi nal eastern extension in 1938. Little happened to the place from 1938 and our challenge was to make the place suitable for 21st century living for the Archbishop and cathedral clergy.

Approach- a conservation plan was prepared to identify heritage values and sen-sitivities to allow us to make plans for adapting the place to contemporary re-quirements. The principle features of change, guided by the conservation plan. Conservation and adaptation is never simple. It is a voyage of discovery. While a conservation plan is a fantastic resource it has its limitations.

What we are doing - our job was to adapt the place to make it a liveable house for the Archbishop and a small number of clergy. A large number of small rooms needed to become a smaller number of decent rooms, in a sense modest apartments.

Included in the project conservation of the fabric, conversion of rooms into suites, upgrading of services, introducing air conditioning, lifts and car park-ing, together with introducing a south facing terrace for occasional offi cial func-tions, together with landscaping.

By January 2010, you will be able to see how the beauty treatment has worked.

Philip Griffi thsOctober 2009

Joe Chindarsi Chindarsi Architects

Name of Practice:Chindarsi Architects

Name of Principal:Joe Chindarsi

Date of Practice Commencement:December 2003

Size of Offi ce: Medium (10)Small = 1-5, Medium = 6-15, Large = 16-25, Extra Large = 26 and up

No of projects completed for family members:3

Practice Statement:Chindarsi Architects is a boutique architectural practice which specializes in contemporary, innovative, and functional design solutions which incorporate en-vironmentally sustainable design principles. The practice is grounded in the de-sire to promote the growth of Architecture in Western Australia, in the Modernist Tradition, operating within the regional context. Current jobs range from altera-tions and additions to existing dwellings to new single residences, townhouse pairs, units, apartment buildings, as well as light industrial and commercial work in the hospitality and offi ce, and social/community housing sectors. Our ongoing involvement with work for schools via DET and other WA State Government clients provides further grounding and experience for the practice in the public realm. A relatively young offi ce, having offi cially commenced in 2003, Chindarsi Architects has its offi ces located in the old Smith St Deli in Highgate. Joe Chindarsi has 15 years of industry experience, both in the commercial, educational, residential and public sectors, and is 38 years of age. Ongoing Research:Screens, Recycling and Salvage, Micro-Wind + Solar Energy in Urban Area, Low-Cost Architectural ‘Project Home’ Design using Pre-Fab Technology

Current Projects: (key projects for the night)Pervan Residences, Katrine Street Residence Alterations & Additions, Winter Cot-tage, Kinder Shop-House Alterations & Additions, Masel Residence Alterations & Additions, Bunbury City Apartments and Cokis Residence Alterations & Additions

On Re-use

Re-use, Recycling, Renovate, Remove, Reconcile, Rehabilitate, Re-connect, Re-constitute, Recondition, Reference, React, Remodel, Remain…

Memory plays a pivotal role in Architecture, and re-use of both ideas and materials plays a fundamental role in the continuation of dialogue within spaces we create. Combining old and extant with new or re-used to create hybrids or chimeras can create unique and site responsive solutions within contemporary practice.

Joe ChindarsiOctober 2009

Marco Vittino & Katherine Ashe vittinoAshe

Name of Practice:vittinoAshe

Name of Principal:Marco Vittino and Katherine Ashe

Date of Practice Commencement:December 2007

Size of Offi ce: SmallSmall = 1-5, Medium = 6-15, Large = 16-25, Extra Large = 26 and up

No of projects completed for family members:0

Practice Statement:vittinoAshe is a part-time practice trying to establish itself through selective projects. We do what we like (we’re not quite sure that we like what we do yet).

Ongoing Research:Communication (spoken, drawn, written, made)

Current Projects: (key projects for the night)one other, one bridge, one interior, one cloud, two renewals

On Re-use

We like to investigate the meaning of things and the defi nition of a question. The ques-tion of re-use is predictably connected to other ‘re’ words. re(new) re(collect) re(connect) re(confi gure) re(cycle) and one we like, re(cognise). This term has latin origins and translated it loosely means to meet again or to know again.

The idea of re(meeting) is kind of nice when talking about architecture. Old thinking meets fresh thoughts. The pre-determined is given a new vestige, re(invigorated) by its meeting with new fabric.

Through the question of re-use we can try to establish and perhaps re(establish) connections between things in our work through new encounters. Old models re(appear) in different modes: ideas, materials, patterns, forms and associa-tions.

re(cognition) through repetitions...we shall meet again.

Marco Vittino and Katherine AsheOctober 2009

image: teat(r)o ofi cina, lina bo-bardi, são paolo, brazil

Wayne Dufty DnA Architects

Name of Practice:DnA Architects

Name of Principal:Wayne Dufty

Date of Practice Commencement:1 July 2005

Size of Offi ce: SmallSmall = 1-5, Medium = 6-15, Large = 16-25, Extra Large = 26 and up

No of projects completed for family members:0

Practice Statement:At the heart of our business is the desire to produce architecture that inspires people to become conscious of greater meaning through their connection with the built environment and awareness of the natural environment. One of our key design principles is to search for the singular idea that represents the essence of the design. It is our belief and experience that if the singular design idea is true, then innovative architecture will emerge. We emphasise the social, economic and environmental sustainability of architec-ture in unity with the importance of human comfort, practical use and aesthetic appreciation.We see architecture as an integral part of how people choose to live and experience our world and we strive to provide services that truly add to the human experience and respect our planet.

Ongoing Research:Industrial and residential design and urban design.

Current Projects: (key projects for the night)Gate 1 Perth Airport, Meridian Park Industrial Estate, Patrick Autocare facility at Perth Airport, UTS Broadway competition entry, Penthouses in Bunbury, CASA site assembled housing,Perth Foreshore.

On Re-use

We are applying the term ‘re-use’ in the context of re-using the core architec-tural approach taken in all our work and adapting and evolving it to serve as the basis of new designs. The re-use of a core architectural approach still allows for the creation of an original design idea; it is through a fl uid yet clear methodology that we ensure key aspects such as environmental, economic and social sustainability and the quality of human comfort, practical use and aesthetic appreciation are in the foundations of a design. During the design process, we study the factual and subjective requirements of a Brief and then continue to break the ‘story’ down in search of a design essence that best represents the collective aspirations of our clients, users and greater community. This then informs the design direction right down to the smallest de-tail to create a comprehensive architectural solution.

It is our belief and experience that if the singular design idea is true then in-novative architecture will emerge. One of the benefi ts of this methodology is the design is not diluted by the process of change and development because of its clarity.

Through the re-use and continual refi nement of our basic approach we hope to fi nd increasingly better ways to create a design essence for each project that is in harmony with our core values.

For us, architecture is all about the people who use and interact with the built form. We strive to best serve them through our architecture and in turn we benefi t our client, the local community and the planet

Wayne DuftyOctober 2009

Bernard Seeber Bernard Seeber Architects

Name of Practice:Bernard Seeber Architects

Name of Principal:Bernard Seeber

Date of Practice Commencement:1983

Size of Offi ce: SmallSmall = 1-5, Medium = 6-15, Large = 16-25, Extra Large = 26 and up

No of projects completed for family members:0

Practice Statement:Sustainability as an urgent technical challenge might overlook a fundamental awareness that a great portion of the earth’s occupants have and have had since time become time. It is not new that waste has a negative impact on life nor that environment and being are inseparable. Australian life forms have managed resources and environment with great intellect. The Kangaroo is not poor. It touches the earth lightly and more, it is an engi-neering marvel. Architecture has a fundamental awareness not always noticed. The view that Lincoln Cathedral is Architecture and a bicycle shed a (mere) building is of course, fl oored.

Ongoing Research:Yes.

Current Projects:Entry Sculpture (now removed)

On Re-use

ARCHITECTURE AND SOFTWARE ENGINEERING_STOLEN INFORMATIONAd hoc code reuse has been practiced from the earliest days of programming. Program-mers have always reused sections of code, templates, functions, and procedures. Soft-ware reuse as a recognized area of study in software engineering, however, dates only from 1968 when Douglas McIlroy of Bell Laboratories proposed basing the software in-dustry on reusable components. Code reuse is the idea that a partial or complete compu-ter program written at one time can be, should be, or is being used in another program written at a later time. The reuse of programming code is a common technique which attempts to save time and energy by reducing redundant work. The software library is a good example of code reuse. Programmers may decide to create internal abstractions so that certain parts of their program can be reused, or may create custom libraries for their own use. Some characteristics that make software more easily reusable are modularity, loose coupling, high cohesion, information hiding and separation of con-cerns. For newly written code to use a piece of existing code, some kind of interface, or means of communication, must be defi ned. These commonly include a “call” or use of a subroutine, object, class, or prototype. In organizations, such practices are formal-ized and standardized by software product line engineering. The general practice of using a prior version of an extant program as a starting point for the next version, is also a form of code reuse. Some so-called code “reuse” involves simply copying some or all of the code from an existing program into a new one. While organizations can realize time to market benefi ts for a new product with this approach, they can subse-quently be saddled with many of the same code duplication problems caused by cut and paste programming. Many researchers have worked to make reuse faster, easier, more systematic, and an integral part of the normal process of programming. These are some of the main goals behind the invention of object-oriented programming, which became one of the most common forms of formalized reuse. A somewhat later invention is generic programming. Another, newer means is to use software “generators”, programs which can create new programs of a certain type, based on a set of parameters that users choose. Fields of study about such systems are generative programming and metaprogramming……Bernard SeeberOctober 2009

The 3 Over 4 Under Exhibition was brought to you by MERGE - Emerging Architects