Houses 121 preview

Houses 121 is on sale 2 April.

We’re always on the hunt for new architecture and design practices to feature in the pages of Houses; often its a residential commission that launches a practice. Australia currently has a wealth of emerging talent and many of these younger studios are aiming to shift the status quo of architecture and design to encompass a larger (and broader) portion of the population. This is clearly evident in the projects in this issue.

Emerging practice Whispering Smith has a strong design ethos and is making its mark in Perth, Western Australia. The practice built House A as an experiment into what change and a sustainable future could look like: “We are all about making architecture more affordable,” founder Kate FitzGerald explains. The resulting house, mostly built by Kate and her partner, is
both a political statement and a prototype.

In our One to Watch article we take a look at the work of Brisbane-based architect Anna O’Gorman. In a similar way to Whispering Smith, Anna hopes to make good design available to a broader range of socioeconomic groups. She is particularly concerned with the way that architecture can make better communities.

In Victoria, emerging practice Eldridge Anderson has had the opportunity to design a new home for co-founder Jeremy Anderson’s parents in Ballarat. This project was an exercise in restraint, with the challenge being to design a bespoke residence for the outlay of a speculative home. There is a unique desire by this practice to challenge every indulgence.

Prahran House by Ritz & Ghougassian is one of the first homes completed by the practice. Among other things, it explores an interest in modularity – both in following the geometric order established by the module of a concrete block, as well as in the planning. This involves some elements being replicated and contributes to the efficiency of the design.

Our Postscript article focuses on Brisbane architect Jonathan Goh’s challenge to design a front yard book exchange. The Ryan Street Footpath Library is an exercise in “a more genuine contribution to the life of a suburban street.” Again, a young architect is seeking new ways for architecture and design to build and
support community.

Emerging studios have the potential to further the lateral thinking required to keep architects relevant – and I can’t wait to see what’s next for all these practices.

Katelin Butler, editor

Follow Houses on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Subscriptions and back issues: Print and Digital.