We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to our jury member of the Tiny House 2024 Architecture Competition.
We’re delighted to speak with "Rayne Fouché", director at "Fouché Architects". He completed his Bachelor of Design Studies and Master of Architecture at the University of Queensland. He has a particular interest in the power of harnessing and enhancing existing fabric with practical and cost-effective interventions in order to make architecture feasible for the average person.
Fouché Architects established in 2015 by Rayne & Larissa Fouché, they are a team of three, and work across a handful of small to medium scale typologies in Australia. They seek to create context-driven, simple, and affordable work.
We're excited to speak with him about his perspective on the field of architecture and his expectation from the participants of the Tiny House 2024 Architecture Competition. For the purpose of this interview, he would be referred to as "RF" in responses, however, Volume Zero is referred to as "VZ".
Sydney Street House
VZ- What are some of your favorite projects/projects that you worked on? (What were the most exciting parts about it)
RF- I get immense joy from working on modest projects for everyday people. There is something magical about being able to provide novel, joyful design solutions to normal people.
I also enjoy working on typical projects. To date, our office has worked on several of these including a mixed-use workspace (co-working, art gallery, photography studio, café), the master plan and concept for a church and childcare facility, and various interesting houses with considerable constraints.
VZ- What has been your most challenging project? (What were the challenges faced with topography, local climate, structure, clients, people, etc.)
RF- Last year we completed a residential project on the side of a very steep hill which was subject to intense site constraints including bushfire and landslide risks, access issues, and sensitive ecology. We deliberately listened to these constraints and were guided by them, which in turn made for an interesting project. Sometimes the best design results come from listening to the site carefully.
Keith Street House
VZ- What would be your word of advice for all the young budding students and architects who are looking to make a mark in this professional world?
RF- Learn to think and work at the micro-scale. Think about how people use buildings and objects in a lot of detail. Map out the potential benefits and issues for the particular item you’re working on and navigate to a good solution. The sooner you can master design autonomously at the micro-scale, the sooner you’ll be given the opportunity to resolve something bigger.
VZ- What are you expecting from the proposal and the participants for the Tiny House 2024? Example: Concept, Spatial Design, Site-Selection, Functionality
RF- For me, the successful proposals will respond well to social and climactic issues the world is currently facing. Areas of focus may include adaptive re-use of existing structures, urban infill, repetition and ease of construction, cost, embodied energy, and resilience.
Tallowwood Cabin
VZ- Is there any aspect of the brief that appeals to you the most or do you find it the most challenging? Example: Area restriction, Spatial Adaptability, Functionality, and The overall experience of a Tiny House.
RF- I think the idea, and therefore the concept is most interesting to me. Who is the building for? How can it be used? What does it do to elevate the human spirit? Successful entries will however master all of the judging criteria.
VZ- Explain your perspective when designing a Tiny House in today's day & age. Example: How would you approach this?
RF- I would make a list of climactic and social challenges we need to overcome in residential architecture. From there, pick a couple of issues to focus on. Then consider how you’d fulfill the brief requirements whilst also addressing your selected issues. Finally, put some joy into it!
For example, if I chose to design a temporary transportable emergency home, in the concept design I would consider practical shipping dimensions, the ease in which the structure can be erected and packed down, and the weight. I would then use these parameters to guide the plan's format and form. Once the brief and selected challenges were overcome, I would then work to make the project joyful through the use of colour, art, material selection, and light.
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