Custom Architectural Products – Balancing Creativity with Caution

Sometimes architects find that their project has a special requirement that can’t be met by standard products or systems. To maintain design integrity, customisation is the preference– and in many cases the only – option.

Suppliers can often propose solutions using standard products in a different way from usual or embark on producing something entirely new and unique. Creativity is the core skill of architecture but in the case of bespoke products a departure from the standard raises a number of issues for architects and their clients as well as suppliers.

For architects, it can be about achieving something special or aligning with a previously established design aesthetic; while for product suppliers customisation can represent an opportunity to break new ground, establish a new product direction, and so on.

As we shall see in the session of CPD Live, however, customisation should be approached with caution and an understanding of the challenges and expenses that it inevitably involves.

Our speakers, all of whom have successful track records in work of this type, outline what you need to know before embarking on the customisation journey; the factors involved in navigating these challenges and reaping the benefits of a fully realised custom architectural product.

At the end of this presentation, you should be able to:

• Explain the typical motivations of specifiers who seek custom architectural products
• Distinguish the levels of customisation – standard, adapted, fully bespoke
• Outline the risks associated with product customisation and explain how to minimise them.
• Identify and apply strategies for effective collaboration with suppliers

(PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PC 18, PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PC25, PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PC28)

SPEAKERS

Luigi Rosselli, Luigi Rosselli Architects

Luigi Rosselli is a Milan-born architect who came to Australia in the 1980s.  Before his arrival in Australia, Rosselli studied architecture at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne in Switzerland, where he was tutored by Alvaro Siza and Umberto Riva.  Following the first part of his studies he was offered a position in the studio of Mario Botta, but it was his role on the competition team to design a new Australian Parliament House, under the guidance of Romaldo Giurgola at Mitchell Giurgola and Thorp in New York that ultimately brought him to Canberra and then Sydney.

Over four decades of practice, Luigi has developed a reputation for innovative and inspirational architecture with a humanist focus across a wide variety of projects: from small suburban alterations and additions to medium and large density multi-residential, mixed use and commercial developments across environments as diverse as heavily populated city suburbs and remote outback cattle stations.

Luigi’s work has been recognised across a diverse array of publications and organisations such as Vogue Living, The Australian Institute of Architects, via industry peak bodies like the Think Brick Awards and TERRA Awards, the latter recognising excellence in earthen architecture, local councils, and two of the most visited architecture websites in the world in ArchDaily and Architizer. 

Photo Credit: The Local Project

Bruce Nockles, Director, Meacham Nockles

Bruce Nockles has been designing interiors, buildings and more recently gardens for over three decades and he still loves the process.  He began his career in 1988 as an interior designer with Burley Katon Halliday before gaining hands-on experience as a carpenter and joiner during the early 1990s.  In 1993, he co-founded Meacham Nockles with Julie Meacham and together they have since created projects that integrate interiors, architecture and landscape, with careful attention to detail, materiality and spatial quality.

Today, the practice focuses on residential projects for clients they enjoy working with, valuing engaged, loyal collaborations and creating environments that are both functional and enduring.

Peter Skinner, Founder & Director, Shade Factor

Peter Skinner brings a trained architectural perspective to the design and execution of sun shading projects.  He draws on over 25 years of experience at Shade Factor, while remaining closely involved in the development of both standard and bespoke solutions for complex and large-scale projects.  Working in close collaboration with architects and project teams, Peter contributes to shading strategies and façade detailing that respond to performance, energy efficiency and sustainability.  He leads an experienced team across design development, documentation and delivery, with a strong focus on early-stage engagement to support clarity and coordination from concept through to installation.