Its been FUN paying St Georges Tce / Beaufort St prices for a shopfront but its time to move on. We are moving just around the corner to another shopfront space at 91 Eighth Ave Maylands - just behind the wonderful folk at Plenty and opposite DOME Headquarters. The space is 2.5 times the size and there is room for something extra special and mutli functional to happen in this ex-TAB space as we get comfortable. Random art gallery, speakers, book launches, pilates, yoga, band rehearsal.... - you know how it goes. Yes i agree with you, the numerology is strong on this one, 9+1 = 10..... which translates to 1 - look it up. We are now on 8th Ave, the Chinese love the number 8. But hey, im Irish, we were born lucky!

The Bartender: Australian Bar Awards 2015 took place last week and Dominion League took out the State Winner - Cocktail Bar of the Year and Mechanics Institute won the NATIONAL AWARD - Small Bar of the Year. Well played to the managers, chefs and all the barstaff.

Aren't awards funny things? Mechanics Institute (and the ground level Flipside Burgers) was completed in 2012. Thats right - 3 years ago! Im not sure how it works with the Bartender Awards, but perhaps these awards are like the Architecture Awards and selected by other peers within the industry (ie other architects)? I always wonder when i see 'award winning' what this really means? Who picked you as a winner, who are the judges and what do the owners, staff, punters, postman, delivery guys and general walkers past think of it? Awards in my experience are for the ego - a way to slap yourself on the back to say 'yes you are accepted - well done'

Yes. Another timelapse..... this time its Robert Jenkins on the side of the office here in Maylands, care of the land owner. Two days work wrapped up in two minutes for your pleasure viewing right here on VIMEO

I overheard someone say the other day; "Maylands is the new New York" .........he was quickly scoffed at by his friends. But deep in your hearts you know its heading that way.

You can see more of Roberts work at www.theblackmountains.me

Im back at Uni! An informal talk for Vertical Engagements 21 at Curtin University. Thanks to CASA for the invite!

We love concrete in architecture. This love came from my youth spent on the BMX at skateparks, on those hard curved surfaces. Gee how things have changed with the rise of action sport parks today being iconic safe family freindly well designed venues which are an asset to any community and council. Guy Hollaway Architects have put my two loves together - an indoor multi storey action sports park in the UK. Those transitions look a little tight and short....... but loving this project. Get your kids off those ipads and get them on a BMX!

I was back behind The Creative Lies drumkit at The Boston on the weekend with headliners Graphic Characters, Rukkus, Killing the Riff and Great Snakes. Perthites rightly concerned about the recent closure of live music venues The Bakery and Devilles have reason to be a little excited, with The Boston (James and Milligan St Northbridge) now open for original live music along with Jack Rabbit Slims (133 Arberdeen St Northbridge). Lyric Lane is also due on the cards next year, a brand spanking new build venue in Maylands. The nuturing of the live music scene appears to be a complex issue, the creation of new venues, getting punters to gigs, venue marketing and government involvement in the arts is all part of the equation, but essentially its driven by people; the people who play music and those who like to watch it. Im not realy the guy to answer all these questions, but we can surely help with new venues and refurbishment of old ones!

Photo courtesy of www.nickyharveyphotography.com

This Friday, 19th June at the Lawrence Wilson Gallery at UWA, you can throw tomatoes at me and 'boo' me off stage - yes.... again. Some great company in the line up and if you dont know about PK its a series of presenters each with 20 slides, each on screen for just 20 seconds. You do the maths - thats 400 seconds or 6.66 minutes...... or half a stubbie  ...... or 5/6 of a ciggie  ....... you get it, its quick.

Client - Why are architects fees high? Its just a few drawings right?

Me - Wrong. Its hard to explain and more complex than that to people new to the building game, we take on a lot of responsibility.....

I find myself at a crossroads of late, knowing the experience i have obtained to date is valuable, very very valuable. Once you have this knowledge its very hard as an architect to answer basic questions in a simple manner, as you know the complexity to most scenarios and nothing is as simple as it appears. Its like being on Fury Road (how much fun is that movie!), its a constant fight to stay on top of a project and still retain beauty within budget and maintain client / consultant and council content. As Architects we take on a huge amount of responsibility and liability. We have to balance aesthetics with buildability, creativity with practicality and be in control of the whole process regarding timeframes and external input. Our work is immediately on display for all to critique how they would have done it better.

When i take on a project, i put my heart into it. Im passionate about the end result and want happy clients, a good looking project and a builder that tips his hat at a colleague, rather than some bullshit white collar academic with a superiority complex. I try my hardest to not be a wanker, both with clients and builders alike. I see everyone as part of the project team and its my job to be the captain, for a short joyful while.

Massing model for some Towers of Power right here in Perth we are working on. Yes, ugly indeed at the moment and those roofs are in for some serious landscaping, but Im hoping Le Corbusier will haunt me in my dreams and take control of my drawing hand on this one, and would be very pleased if the project started to take cues from his Marseille housing unit from 1952, a concrete beast of a building.

Are you in the market for a new home? We finished a subdivision and refurbishment of a house around the corner here in Inglewood.  The builder has done a wonderful job on this house way above average with many details superbly executed. And........ its now up for sale at auction through Altitude Real Estate - you can find out more details HERE (Photo by Prime Real Estate Photography)