From Practice to Research: An Interview on Architecture, Manufacturing, and Sustainability
I was recently interviewed at an EmAGN x Stockland event about non-traditional career paths in architecture. Below are the preparation questions and answers I took to the event. In the end, the event was more off the cuff and we only managed to cover a couple of the questions.
Can you briefly share your current role and what you’re working on?
I’m a Post-Doc research fellow working on two main case study projects—one focusing on circularity pathways and another on digital software stacks for the AEC industry. I’m also working on something a bit different: a tree branch pavilion using 3D printed nodes and acoustic panels, which brings together my interests in material innovation and computational design.
How did your career path lead you there?
My journey has been quite non-linear, moving from digital communications to architectural practice, and then into academia. It’s been shaped by two key shifts, really. The first was moving to Sydney in 2009 to study for a masters at UTS at a time when they were all-in on digital tools. I found myself pivoting into computational design and fabrication, which opened up a whole new world.
The other major shift happened when we had two children and my wife began training for her surgical specialty. We moved around a lot during that period, but I managed to study for a PhD during this time, which ultimately opened up the route into academic research.
What inspired you to pursue architecture initially, and how has that inspiration evolved?
I always wanted to study architecture in high school, but was talked out of it. It took meeting my future wife in Australia to realise that I should just go for it. I’m still inspired by architecture and love visiting buildings, but I don’t know the intricacies of designing and building anymore in the traditional sense. Nowadays, I’m very interested in how buildings are put together and the inventive use of materials—there’s something fascinating about the meeting of material intelligence and digital processes.
What motivated your transition into academia and research?
I enjoyed sessional teaching, particularly computational design and construction, and wanted to devote more time to that. The Arch_Manu research centre that I’m part of is focused on this question of how digital innovation can be part of our future sustainable practice—building things on budget, on time, and to the benefit of the community.
Your research focuses on architecture and manufacturing. How do you envision this intersection influencing future design practices?
When I talk about manufacturing, I include construction in there as well, because lots of construction processes have migrated to offsite locations and some industrial processes have moved on-site—like 3D printing houses. The research at Arch_Manu focuses on reducing landfill, cutting resource extraction, and reducing global emissions. If we’re going to move towards a culture of zero carbon and waste, then manufacturing improvements will help us control these parameters.
From a design perspective, I shifted to a Design for Manufacture approach a while back, meaning the architect becomes more responsible for fabrication shop drawings and uses digital tools to reduce the risk normally associated with this approach. The level of detail increases, but the scale of realization can reduce unless you find ways to manage complexity.
How can emerging architects engage with research to expand their influence?
This is something we’re grappling with at the moment because books and journal papers are the currency in academia, but who actually reads journal papers? We’ve moved towards CPD courses as a better way of communicating our research and demonstrating impact. Our next CPD event is a roundtable talk about AI in practice—it’s about making research accessible and applicable.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in forging a non-traditional path in architecture?
I found it difficult to transition into academia. There are essentially two paths: either as a practitioner who can devote time to teaching studios, or as a full-time academic. I didn’t want to do the former, and the main way into the latter was to write a thesis—which was a bloody nightmare, to be honest.
What skills from your architectural background have been most valuable in your current role?
The main skill I learned was architectural language—talking about buildings and practice, which puts you into a community. This is critical to research because I’m always talking to architects and need to be able to gain trust and collaborate. Without that shared language, the research becomes isolated from the people who need to use it.
How do you stay creatively and professionally fulfilled in roles that may not involve traditional design work?
The irony is that I’m designing a lot more now in my research role; it’s just not architecture. I’m creatively fulfilled through coding and making, and can now hide some of my personal projects within the centre’s research. I’ve recently worked on designing web app dashboards to communicate data, and I enjoy learning the technical parts of this process.
How do you see the definition of an “architect” evolving over the next decade?
I recently saw a presentation from Wanyu He, CEO of XKool, a Chinese generative AI company, and they predict that design, construction, and management of the building industry will become fully automated. While I worry this might result in architectural slop, it does raise the question: what can architects do with the time saved?
I think architects will become more critical for realization—the gap between where the digital meets material. So they’ll have more time to explore design options, and then take more control over the fabrication and construction process.
What emerging trends or technologies do you think will open up new career paths in the built environment?
I’m hesitant to say AI because we’re at the peak of the hype cycle right now, but I’m excited to see what happens when AI combines with some of the previous trends that died away, such as the Internet of Things and DIY making. In terms of career paths, I think it will lower the barrier of entry to design, and there will be more time for art and expression if automation takes care of the budget and time plans—meaning a return to the architect as a connector of the built environment to human culture, minus the Greek columns.
What advice would you give to young architects or students who are unsure about following a conventional path?
You should try and identify your personality traits and skill strengths. I like collaborating and I’m quite inquisitive, and I developed strong computational skills, so I find academic research more of a fit. For those interested in research, sessional teaching is a good way to see if you want to pursue it further—it’s a way to dip your toe in the water.
Are there any skills or experiences you wish you had pursued earlier in your career?
I wish I had gotten my head around the financial aspects of architecture, which would have helped me now with research funding. I had the opportunity to do some solo projects which I chose to take into an existing practice, and now wish I had gone for it myself. Understanding the business side opens up opportunities you don’t even know exist.
For more insights on architecture, manufacturing, and sustainability research, connect with me on LinkedIn or follow along on Bluesky for updates on current projects and industry developments.