At the coalface: A reflection on practising small

摘要

In 1966, at the age of five, I first declared my intention to pursue a career in architecture. I remember my prep teacher, Miss Naughton, complimenting me on how well I formed the letters in the word "Architect." My lettering has been pretty good ever since.I started my own small practice in 1968, when my sister Fiona commissioned me to design a tree house at our home in Beaumaris. The tree of choice -a huge old cypress - was actually growing on an adjoining property and hanging over our side fence. Nowadays, you would need a planning permit and most likely end up at VCAT. But these were simpler times and I proceeded to prepare working drawings. Numerous notes on the drawings referring to Fiona's particular needs indicate that my sister was a very demanding client.