Russell Barrett is a Melbourne-based architect who established his namesake architecture firm, Russell Barrett Architects, in 1990.
The firm primarily focuses on major residential development projects, including coastal, hinterlands, homesteads and townhouses in Victoria.
Architecture & Design spoke to Barrett about the changing nature of architecture, incorporating landscapes into architectural designs and the prejudice in community perceptions of buildings.
You established your firm in 1990. What have been some of the most significant changes to architecture since then?
Domestic architecture in the 1990s and the early 2000s was characterised generally by nostalgic styles. Literal interpretations of previous architectural styles such as ‘Georgian’ and ‘French Provincial’ were dotted around the wealthy suburbs of Melbourne. Even developers around the expanding girth of Melbourne used these styles to seduce young home buyers into a lifestyle that was irrelevant.
Unlike previous generations of architects who may have looked at these styles for interpretation only, the current generation of architects slavishly copied details and altered the proportions of these fine ‘architectural styles’. The generation of post-war domestic architects characterised by people such as Boyd, Grounds, Clerehan, Kagan etc. seem to have been completely forgotten as was their ground breaking work. Excessive wealth meant clients wanted to spend lots of money and appear to be as affluent as they perceived their 18th Century ancestors to be. A large and extravagant house with no architectural merit became a symbol of wealth and success.
The significant changes since the 1990s have been caused by the GFC, a sensitivity to the environment and rules and regulations. Suddenly excessive wealth and large houses seemed a bit vulgar. Expensive and indulgent materials are no longer the norm and clients are looking to smaller houses, with more environmentally sensitive materials that are ‘Australian’ and buildings that are in harmony with the landscape. New ideas and avante gard designs are reappearing. Surely this is a return to where we left off when excessive wealth took over.
Another significant change is that since the 1990s clients seem to not allow architects as much understanding as they did in the past. Fashion has dictated that outside sources such as interior decorators are allowed to instruct architects on the matter of design.
Our role has changed and we can look back to the domestic architects of the previous generation for their brave designs and innovation. This is becoming apparent with clients coming to architects for innovation, sustainable designs which aren’t necessarily fashionable and a professional to guide them through an increasingly bureaucratic culture. As noted by others, the real architectural movements have been classic, gothic, and modernism. With these non-decorative styles architecture can move on.
Why is it so important for you to incorporate the landscape into designs?
The importance of incorporating the landscape into designs can never be underestimated. It is to do with a building being sensitively sited and respecting the environment around it. It is simple happiness - a good garden or landscape will increase its enjoyment. Siting a building so it does not dominate or scar the landscape (building below ridge lines, or with minimal excavation, for example) is also very important. When planning, using the natural features of the site and landscape is environmentally responsible.
During the planning process the landscape should be an integral part of any design. Rather than a garden or landscape being “the left over bits outside the building” they must be part of the building. Any responsible architect will intuitively incorporate the landscape into designs. Whether the site is a small inner city court yard or a broad acreage landscape the principles are exactly the same.
Do you think architects do this well?
Responsible architects will do this extremely well. I do believe our profession is sensitive to integrating landscapes with their designs. Historically there have been domestic architects who have designed both landscapes and houses. In my opinion they are always the most successful.
The rise of the landscape profession has increased general awareness of landscape design. Clients have a more heightened awareness of this aspect of the project. Most of our projects will involve a landscape consultant who we will work with from the early stages. The all too late incorporation of environmental issues both at government and professional level has also increased our sensitivity and designs of landscapes.
How would you like your design to be perceived by the community and by other architects?
I enjoy it when my work creates interesting dialogue and discussion. However, I’ve found sometimes that the community perceptions of buildings can be subject to prejudice and lack of understanding.
If you weren't an architect, what would you be doing?
I can’t imagine not being an architect. It is a profession that you can never escape and it is all around us in many manifestations. It is to do with so many aspects of life such as good design, the environment, landscape and so on. It makes us look up and around.
