In September this year, soon-to-be graduates from the Curtin University Schools of Education, Design and the Built Environment, and Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry milled around with excitement at the Perth Convention Centre. Before stepping onto the stage to receive their long-awaited degrees and diplomas, they were left with some inspiring words from the evening’s speaker, Nic Brunsdon, an award-winning architect and Curtin architecture (2003) graduate.

His advice to the next generation of creative and innovative gamechangers?

“Take your time to pause and reflect before you leap into the unknown. Use this time to consider what truly drives you. And when you do take that leap, make sure you give it your absolute all.”

We spoke to Nic about his architecture firm, what drives his success, and the considered and people-centred approach he takes before leaping into his designs.

What does beautiful architecture look like to you?

Great architecture is responsive, emotive and inclusive.

Where did your interest in architecture begin and how does it spark joy for you today?

Apparently, I always enjoyed making things look neat and ordered when I was playing Lego with my brothers as a kid. I would take all the white blocks and make clean and intricate houses with skylights, internal gardens and secret passages. I think this interest lay dormant until I got to the point of having to pick a university course, and somehow – though luck, risk, or subconscious direction – I picked architecture. To my family it felt out of the blue but I couldn’t be happier sitting here today, 25 years later.

Your vision is to create environments that are socially impactful. What does that mean?

We want to enrich people’s lives through thoughtfully designed architecture. Evidence of our commitment to global ethics can be seen with our B Corporation certification (expected later this year) and the preparation of our ‘Reflect’ Reconciliation Action Plan.

Your North Perth House has been gaining a lot of media attention and industry recognition, including being featured on Grand Designs Australia. Why do you think it has been so successful?

I think because it has a boldness about it. You can see that it stands for something without being entirely certain what. There is a strong logic to it which has created an outcome that could be described as ‘unexpected’ yet as a house to live in, it’s entirely comfortable and even ‘normal’. It shows that there are multiple ways to approach work and multiple paths to success. They might not be immediately obvious, but they might also inform a new vector of thinking or dialogue which is important in itself.

What’s your favourite design so far and why?

That would be like choosing a favourite child now, wouldn’t it?

How does your work impact people’s lives for the better?

I believe that thoughtful design has an immeasurable impact on peoples’ quality of life. Whether it be mental health, physical health, or a sense of belonging, community, connection, pride or comfort, a well-designed project can be a powerful tool for change.

We only need to look at COVID-19 to see the effect that spending more time intimately connected to our homes has had on us. We now understand that these primary spaces must perform a multitude of functions, as well as being happy, healthy, comfortable places to live. I’m not sure that the bulk of today’s built forms are currently meeting these standards.

That’s why communicating the benefits of well-designed places and spaces is so important – so we can all share in the cumulative benefits of these outcomes as a healthy and connected community.

Nic being filmed for Grand Designs Australia.