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Growing Your Practice

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Small practices and sole practitioners make up around 85 per cent of Victoria’s architecture profession. What opportunities exist for practices wanting to take the next steps into the daunting world of expanding their practice?

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Julian Kosloff (BKK Architects), Stephanie Bullock (BKK Architects), and Peter Elliott (Peter Elliott Architecture and Urban Design) talk to members of the Australian Institute of Architects, Victoria Chapter about how they shaped the future of their practice and excelled in a new space. 

Architects are not traditionally known for taking a business minded approach to starting a practice, often citing creative motivations and professional development opportunities over the typical business-centric drivers of profitability, growth and long-term business viability. 

Like many new practices, BKK Architects began as a small residential practice. Julian recalls the early years being full of enthusiasm, but lacking in strategy. “When you post-rationalise where you are now, it is very easy to romanticise the set up of the practice, but really it was simply based around the idea that we wanted to create good architecture.” 

While the founding partners at BKK didn’t have a target market in mind or a desire to focus on a particular building typology when first establishing their practice 15 years ago, they shared a common interest in place making and a desire to create design based outcomes within the public realm. 

This shared vision for the practice drove them to become involved in competitions for public works and to engage with the wider Melbourne design community, which fostered a culture of collaboration within the practice. “The architect these days is not the renaissance person – architecture is becoming more and more specialised. The key is not to pretend you know everything, but to find the right avenues to work with the right people”.

Competitions became an important source of work for the practice, enabling BKK to build a diverse portfolio of urban design, multi-residential and infrastructure projects. Stephanie explains that although the shift in focus away from private residential projects aligned with their vision for the practice, they quickly realised that they had lost diversity in their client base, and that they would need to start being more strategic in terms of business development. “We were heavily reliant on a particular type of client, almost all of our projects were for state government bodies which represented a substantial risk – we had to start thinking forward in terms of revenue projection in a much more analytical way.”

Stephanie advises practice owners to have a clear idea of where they want the practice to be in 5 years, assessing each sector for attractiveness in terms of profitability, design potential, market growth and alignment with practice values.

Peter took a similar path with his practice, which he explains was established “by accident” following a number of residential commissions. While he never had a formal strategy for growth, he always had a clear idea about the direction for his practice, which was informed by his passion for urban renewal and public works.

Peter started his practice in 1975 in a collaborative workspace where he formed clear ideas about how to structure his business by observing the challenges faced by other architects. 

Over time, Peter developed a sustainable business model with reliable cash flow and a stable client base by establishing specific parameters that limited the number, type and construction value of projects he took on at any given time. This enabled him to stay engaged with client need and build loyalty amongst his clients, many of which have supplied him with work for over 20 years.

Stephanie advises practice owners to invest their time wisely. “There is an idea that business development is about cold calling and networking – we found that the vast majority of our work was coming from existing relationships.”

 Written by: Beth Xotta-Dickson of XOTTA Architects (Victorian Event Correspondent for AWS)

After working for a number of award winning architecture practices in Melbourne, Sydney and Milan, Beth Xotta-Dickson started her own practice XOTTA Architects, an emerging design driven studio focusing on residential, hospitality interiors and education facilities. She is an active member of the Melbourne architecture community, participating in New Architects Melbourne (NAM), The Australian Institute of Architects Constructive Mentor Program, The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Mentor Program, and is an occasional SONA workshop tutor at the University of Melbourne.

 

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AWS Sponsors Building Tours at Glenn Murcutt Foundation Australia Symposium

Architectural Window Systems (AWS) is proud to sponsor the Murcutt Building Tours, a centrepiece of the inaugural Glenn Murcutt Architecture Foundation Symposium, to be held in Sydney from 11 – 13 September 2025.

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The Symposium, presented by the Murcutt Foundation, celebrates more than five decades of architectural practice by Glenn Murcutt AO, Australia’s most celebrated living architect. The program offers three days of tours, talks and events for architects, students and design professionals, culminating in a rare opportunity to engage directly with some of Murcutt’s most acclaimed works.

As part of its ongoing support for architectural excellence and sustainable, place-based design, AWS is sponsoring the Murcutt Building Tours on Thursday, 11 September, providing a rare, guided experience led by Murcutt himself through two iconic residential projects:

  • Nicholas House
  • Simpson Lee House

“I am so pleased that so many have taken the chance to see these two projects that were designed in such close collaboration with the clients at the time, and which have been so well loved and cared for over the many decades since. It is such a joy to share this work,” Glenn Murcutt AO.

“Glenn Murcutt’s works embody a profound sensitivity to landscape, climate and material — and they are best understood by being experienced firsthand,” said Angela Bevitt-Parr, National Marketing Manager at AWS. “AWS is proud to support this extraordinary opportunity for architects to deepen their understanding of Murcutt’s work and philosophy through direct engagement with these exceptional places.”

Beyond the tours, the Symposium will feature keynote addresses from Glenn Murcutt AO and Francis Kéré (fellow Pritzker Prize Laureate), the inaugural awarding of the Murcutt Pin, and a full day of talks exploring the themes that have informed Murcutt’s unique model of practice.

“Francis Kéré is one of the great humans, and a gifted architect who really shows architecture can make a difference in people’s lives. I have a huge amount of respect and time and a wonderful friendship with this man because of his integrity. I am so pleased that Sydney will get to meet him this year,” Glenn Murcutt AO.

For full event details and to register, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/murcutt-symposium

About the Glenn Murcutt Architecture Foundation: The Glenn Murcutt Architecture Foundation promotes the work and legacy of Glenn Murcutt AO through education, advocacy and public programs that advance environmentally responsible architecture and foster dialogue around design excellence and connection to place. For more information visit https://www.murcuttfoundation.org/

Image credit:

Simpson Lee house: Anthony Browell.

 

Designing Value – AWS celebrates 30 years

In late 1994, two dedicated fenestration professionals, Gavan Pead and David McCleary, took a pivotal tour of Architectural Profiles Ltd (APL) in Cambridge, New Zealand. Inspired by APL’s customer-focused business model, they envisioned bringing a similar approach to challenge the Australian market’s basic, outdated aluminium windows and doors that dominated at that time.

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This vision led to the founding of Architectural Window Systems (AWS) in January 1995, with Pead as the first General Manager and McCleary as Head of Design. AWS launched with the release of the 502 sliding window and 541 sliding door – affordable, single-glazed products that immediately stirred the market. “In those days, profiles were hand-drawn, and every detail required precise verification,” McCleary recalls. Their commitment to quality was matched by strong supplier support, relationships that remain solid today.

To bring this customer-centric model to life, AWS built a robust network of independent fabricators across Australia, now exceeding 200, with unparalleled reach and service capabilities. Steve Butcher of Great Lakes Glass, an early adopter, recalls that “their passion was infectious, and if they were starting something new, I wanted to be part of it.”

AWS quickly became a trusted name in high-performance aluminium windows, with products designed to meet the needs of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners. With the launch of ThermalHEART™ in 2007, followed by ThermalHEART™ commercial in 2012, AWS introduced its first thermally broken products, raising the bar for energy efficiency. In 2003, David’s son, Mark McCleary, joined AWS, continuing the family’s involvement in the company. In 2021, Mark took over the leadership of research and design, guiding the development of innovative window and door solutions. That same year, AWS introduced ComfortEDGE™, a significant step forward in thermal efficiency. With additional ComfortEDGE™ products set for release in 2025, AWS continues to strengthen its commitment to energy-efficient solutions for the Australian market.

Reflecting on the success of the last 30 years, AWS General Manager Greg Taylor notes that “it’s our model that differentiates us. A supplier that is not only an extrusion supplier, but a reliable, supportive, engaged business partner that understands the need for continuous improvement”.

In 2025, AWS will continue to focus on improvement, introducing a class-leading digital environment for specifiers, fabricators, and staff, along with an automated workflow connectivity solution exclusively for AWS fabricators.

For more information, contact marketing@awsaustralia.com.au

Windows is toolkit

The importance of windows in the sustainable design toolkit

From roof colour to insulation, from appliances to landscaping, all the material selections made in a project form a part of the build’s overall sustainability.

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Architects and Building Designers are tasked with the most important objectives; managing client expectations, design intent, – and of course budget all within site parameters and building compliance.

When it comes to achieving or exceeding a 7-star energy rating as part of the National Construction Code, few of these choices offer as much scope for variation and flexibility as the selection and application of window and door systems as a major component of the thermal envelope of the building.

Well specified windows and doors can be the difference between a thermally efficient design which comes in on budget versus an over engineered, high performing build that can confuse the most experienced specifier and possibly exceed budget – perhaps unnecessarily.

Thermally broken windows have long held the title of one of the most energy efficient solutions by offering the broadest application for use. By insulating the pathway for thermal transmission through the window frame, it’s a clever way to make the most from the durability of aluminium while reducing its conductivity – but extra components inevitably mean more assembly and a comparatively higher price tag.

So, is there a cost-efficient way to maximise energy gains, while maintaining strength and design flexibility without turning to thermally broken windows?

That’s a question both asked and answered by leading supplier of aluminium windows and doors, AWS (Architectural Window Systems). This fundamental question was asked over 10 years ago and it led to the development of a more cost effective, energy efficient solution which also offers a contemporary design aesthetic in the current market.

Cue ComfortEDGE™

ComfortEDGE is an elegant, double-glazed solution for residential applications that rivals the energy efficiency of thermally broken products. Its embedded frames provide a sleek design comprising fewer components than thermally broken counterparts, making it a cost-effective, wholly Australian made option for Australian projects. ComfortEDGE recognises that clever design doesn’t have to be complicated, and skilfully minimises the amount of exposed frame by embedding into the timber reveal, insulating against the environment to improve energy efficiency and thermal comfort.

ComfortEDGE truly is the perfect meeting point of form and functionality. It’s stylish and high performing, with U Values as low as 1.9 – placing you in the best position to meet 7-star energy provisions while keeping your budgeton track.

Back to weighing up your options… How will you know if ComfortEDGE is right for your project?

AWS recommends consulting your specification expert early in the design process, taking a holistic approach to build sustainably and to meet energy compliance on budget. For designers looking to harness the vast possibilities afforded by Australian designed and manufactured architectural windows, give your AWS specifier team member a call and reap the rewards. (AWS 1300 026 189)

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