I have always been interested in houses and the idea of ‘home’; indeed, I once contemplated a career in real estate (which now seems quite bizarre).
That interest was subsumed by others, and instead I built a successful career as a researcher, technical writer and project manager in the community sector. However, my fascination with space and dwellings never went away, and when my partner and I bought a block of land, I found myself awake at night doing floor plans in my head.
Fast forward three years: we were living in our gorgeous 9 star home designed and built by Positive Footprints. After having spent hundreds of hours researching and thinking about environmentally sensitive design, construction and fit-out for our house, I suddenly lacked a building project. While I was undoubtedly doing good and worthwhile work as a writer, I felt despondent at the idea of continuing along that path for several more decades. I wanted to use a different part of my brain and to think in different ways. I had decades of social change activism and environmentalism. Drawing on that passion, I decided to explore and contribute to new ways to design, construct, live in and interact with the built environment generally, and housing specifically.
And so, at age 43, I enrolled in a building design course, to train for a totally new career. I now have an Advanced Diploma in Building Design (Architectural) and a thriving building design practice that enables me to combine the experience acquired in my old career with my passions for design and environmental and social justice. If you’re looking for a high-performing, lower-impact home that’s a joy to live in, I can help.
Awards
National Winner - Design Matters True Carbon Zero Challenge 2022
State (Victorian) Winner - Design Matters True Carbon Zero Challenge 2022
See Omnia House
Education
MELBOURNE POLYTECHNIC
Adv Dip Building Design (Architectural), 2015
UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
Grad Dip Women's Health, 1993
Bachelor of Arts (Politics & History), 1992
Activities & Affiliations
• Individual member, Design Matters (the peak body for the building design profession)
• Member, Friends of the Earth Melbourne
• Member, ReNew (formerly Alternative Technology Association)
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