The Puzzle of Architecture

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Mark

I am taken by the idea that architectural design is the resolution of a puzzle. Robin Boyd, Australian architect and author of ‘The Puzzle of Architecture’, had an image of a jigsaw spilled out of its box with pieces “in an uncommunicative jumble, some face down”. This notion views the design process from the positive stance of a challenge rather than a ‘problem’ with all its negative connotations.

Luis Mansilla, an architect based in Madrid, sees architecture as “a game in which the client can play”. He talks of having a system but leaving room for surprise. Teresa Moller, Brazilian Landscape Architect, talks of “finding the treasure of each place, uncovering what is already there”. Implicit in this idea is the tension between a rational deductive process, the treasure hunt, and willful inspiration, the ability to see the treasure.

Architects are faced with many obstacles in taking on the ‘game’. Boyd’s description of some of the pieces of the puzzle – the budget, legal restrictions, building regulations, town-planning considerations – are still relevant today, nearly 50 years on. However, we can take encouragement from Luis Mansilla’s enlightened mantra that, “while not everything is possible …. the possibilities are endless”.

Edmiston Jones understand that what sets us apart is our ability to solve our client’s puzzle, whatever that may be. It is our skill to collaboratively synthesize information with innovation and intelligence so that we uncover the treasure - that is often already there!

: Architects Edmiston Jones

Solar Housing Decathalon in China

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Mark

The University of Wollongong have announced their success in the international Solar Decathalon bid. (http://media.uow.edu.au/news/UOW118282.html)

Architects Edmiston Jones had the privilege of working with University of Wollongong students on their submission into an international competition for energy efficient housing to be assessed under 10 criteria, a solar decathalon. The design philosophy put forward in the Solar Decathalon submission was captured in a quote by Carl Elfante, “the greenest building is the one already built”. Mark Jones and AEJ staff worked with UOW students to develop a design concept based on a brief: the retrofitting of a typical three-bedroom fibro clad cottage for a retired couple down-sizing their accommodation.

The University prepared a submission to the United States and a parallel competition in China. The good news is that the UoW/TAFE team won a place in both countries! Faced with the dilemma of choosing which competition to join, the UoW selected China as the appropriate opportunity for our region and the University.

The project resonated strongly with Architects Edmiston Jones. Their longstanding interest in the adaptive reuse, and retrofitting of buildings as an environmentally sustainable solution, is evidenced by the firm’s own offices. The Wollongong office started life as a scout hall, while the Nowra office is a converted engineering parts shop. AEJ live by the design precept of seeking to minimise the use of limited resources (see previous posting).

Just enough, in place, in time

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Mark

The phrase ‘just enough, in place, in time’ was coined by Peter Ellyard, who was at the time Executive Director of the Australian Commission for the Future. It resonated then and remains a dictum applicable to business and life generally. Over a decade ago the directive was particularly relevant as a reaction to the favoured ‘king hit’ solutions such as fertilizing crops or the treatment of cancer. At the time, the effect of Agent Orange in the Vietnam War was in living memory and the bombing of Hiroshima not too far in the past.

Unfortunately, Ellyard’s tenet is largely disregarded today with the easy default to ‘high tech’ solutions – albeit with a slightly less heavy hand. The time and intelligence required to design the precise quantity/volume/mass; carefully positioned in the correct place/orientation/juxtaposition; at exactly the right time is all too often forsaken in the race for quick-fix solutions. If it is big enough it will cover all contingencies and generic enough it will be applicable in any location at any time.

Architects Edmiston Jones are advocates for appropriate architectural design – the tailor made compared to the ‘one size fits all’. Too many continue to apply expensive technology to modify built environments that are over-sized through lack of thought or, perhaps worse still, the misguided perception that sheer volume equates with success and reputation. Living and working environments need to be designed ‘fit for purpose’, located to suit the site and, where necessary, integrated with suitable technology.

Building Access Regulations Ramped Up!

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Mark

The requirements for disabled access to buildings dramatically increased with the introduction of the Access to Premises Standards 2010 as legislation in May last year. The standards apply to all new and upgraded buildings throughout Australia with the objective of improving access opportunities for people with a disability. While the movement of a wheelchair is the determining factor in establishing the design parameters, the more rigorous regulations also improve access to buildings for the visual impaired, parents pushing prams and strollers as well as the elderly.

Architects Edmiston Jones (AEJ) have been involved in the design of community facilities, churches and aged care establishments during their 30 years on the New South Wales South Coast. Equitable access for all members of the community is a fundamental design principal and AEJ keep abreast of the evolving regulations. Director, Steven Bayer, recently attended a seminar on the new Access to Premises Standard presented by the Aged and Community Services Association which had a particular emphasis on understanding the impact on aged care developments.

Retrofitting existing buildings presents a particular challenge in meeting current access standards. AEJ’s experience with the Bermagui Medical Centre demonstrated the need for a close understanding of the relevant regulations as well as the careful planning required to come up with the most effective solution both in terms of cost and space.

Final Submission on Service Station

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Zoran

Architects Edmiston Jones have recently made a final submission to Shoalhaven City Council on a Development Application for a service station project on the South Coast.

The project involves the redevelopment of an existing service station to transform the existing site into a modern and efficient operation, including additional retail space.

Architects Edmiston Jones were responsible for the coordination and management of a large team of consultants, including engineering, acoustic, traffic, heritage and specialists.

Bermagui Medical Centre

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Mark

Some of the most rewarding projects are not always architecture with a capital ‘A’. Architects Edmiston Jones, created a new Medical Centre in the seaside town of Bermagui by converting a commercial building originally constructed as two squash courts.

The new Centre has made a significant contribution to a local community that enjoys a broad demographic ranging from young families to retirees. Many are long standing residents that would have had to face the tough decision of leaving their hometown to be closer to medical support had not these facilities been provided. Local pharmacist, Mark Manning, and his wife Marian saw the need to provide modern medical consulting rooms for the town to entice doctors to establish a practice. It was a huge risk as at the outset of the project no doctors were committed to the venture. During the course of the construction, Dr Jenny Wray became interested and has now extended her Narooma practice, The Lighthouse Surgery, to fully occupy the Bermagui Medical Centre.

The resulting design is an efficient layout providing four consulting rooms with associated procedure and treatment rooms as well as the necessary administration and amenities. Disabled access has been provided to the front and rear of the building and throughout the Centre to meet current standards. A range of medical consultants, located close to the shops and opposite the Community Centre, now provides an essential service for residents as well as the annual influx of tourists during the summer holidays.

Architects Edmiston Jones were well suited to the project as they actively support the adaptive re-use of buildings as an environmentally sustainable solution for commercial properties. Their Nowra office is a converted engineering parts shop and the Wollongong office stated life as a scout hall. With family ties going back four generations Mark Jones thought it was a real privilege to be involved in the project. Mark is now entering his fourth decade of architectural practice on the NSW South Coast. He was also recently appointed an Honorary Fellow with the Wollongong University Faculty of Engineering’s Sustainable Building Research Centre.

: the building’s previous life

: the new floor layout

: After the renovation

“Well begun is Half Done” – starting a building project

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Mark

It is that time when we consider New Year resolutions and new projects. There is a saying that, “getting started is half done”. Another version is “well begun is half done”. The ‘start’ to a building project is the brief and certainly a sound well-considered brief is a project ‘well begun’.

The “brief”, in a building context, is a statement of all the relevant information necessary for the commencement and execution of an architectural design and the program for its implementation. A clear brief is essential to lay the foundation for all subsequent design decisions; avoid the possibility of the project ‘drifting’ and wasting time; and to ensure that the architect has clear objectives do the best job. As importantly, it also minimises the possibility of disputes due to misunderstandings.

A brief might be anything from a single page to a multiple volume set of documents and includes opportunities assessed; constraints identified; and things needing further investigation clarified. There are no absolute rules and the information may be comprised of written statements or lists; clippings from magazines; images of existing spaces; samples of materials etc. Any brief should include a clear statement of the prime objective for the project. This should be the guiding principle used as a test for decisions throughout the project. Finally, don’t be surprised if the design process challenges presumptions and be prepared to expect the unexpected!

Contact mark@aej.com.au for Edmiston Jones FAQ – The Project Brief. As the longest established architects on the NSW South Coast we have the experience to get your New Year building project underway.

Edmiston Jones celebrates with Christmas drinks

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Mark

Architects Edmiston Jones celebrated Christmas drinks with collegues and clients quietly marking their entry into a 4th decade of providing architectural services to the South Coast of New South Wales.

The Shoalhaven City Art Gallery was an appropriate venue to mark the event. The Art Gallery is just one feature of the Shoalhaven that confirms its growth into a city over the past years. Edmiston Jones has grown with the city designing many of its residential, institutional, industrial and commercial developments with offices in Wollongong and Batemans Bay as well Nowra.

Established in 1980, the firm is now a solid architectural team of qualified architects, technicians and clerical assistants. The staff’s experience is very diverse offering imaginative design solutions complemented by sound documentation skills. The practice functions as a skilled and motivated team with a commitment to overwhelm clients with quality design solutions.

Directors Mark Jones, Steven Bayer and Zoran Micevski thank fellow professionals, contractors, authority representatives and, in particular, the many clients who have worked with them through the years. As the largest and longest standing architectural practice on the NSW South Coast they look forward to many more years of contributing to the built environment in this beautiful area.

: Robert Russell and Steven Bayer

: Andrew Mitchell and Shane Tagg

: Zoran Micevski and Greg Thompson

: John Lamont and Paul Green

: Neil Menzies and Mark Jones

: Sandra Wilson-Bayer and Steven Bayer

What’s Better than a BBQ??

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Zoran

Not alot!! with the combination of good food, great company, beer and wine on a sunny summer’s day.
The relaxed ambience of a “country” property made AEJ’s Annual Christmas BBQ a fantastic day!
Thanks to Mark for hosting this years Christmas BBQ.

Tourist Development, Strahan, Tasmania

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Mark

AEJ have formed an association with Tasmanian based consulting firm, RJK Engineering, and share offices in Prospect. Our recent collaboration on the design of a tourist development in Strahan has demonstrated that we do offer a level of expertise which complements local resources. Our background in regional Australia, and in particular the coastal experience, has a synergy with the development and construction industry in Tasmania.

The development is to provide affordable tourist accommodation. It is to incorporate a mix of suites ranging from single bedrooms to larger double bed units with additional disabled persons’ accommodation, all with individual ensuite facilities and communal lounge areas. The development will also include housing for staff and the manager. Ancillary to the accommodation is a dining area and associated kitchen as well as a large meeting room. The objective is to provide a self-contained tourist facility that will attract individuals and families as well as larger groups using the conference facilities.

Landscaped outdoor areas to encourage passive recreation and informal gatherings, complement the natural setting. This development will be attractive to visitors wanting to explore what the West Coast has to offer in the natural environment as well as its rich history.

The approach taken with the design is to create an unapologetically contemporary development while using traditional building forms that sit comfortably adjacent the historic Ormiston House. The new development incorporates pitched roofs including raised central ‘lanterns’ reflecting the highly modulated Ormiston House roof. The design concept has sought to find a balance that is sympathetic to the historical context as well as the natural environment.

Architects Edmiston Jones offer the advantage of a country-based organisation with a clear understanding of the regional environment and building conditions as well as experience with authorities and their regulations.