Anthony Chan established Chan Architecture in 2007, specialising in design-focused residential projects.

Since then, Chan Architecture has completed a number of successful residential projects across Melbourne, including renovations and extensions, new houses and multi-unit developments. Recently completed projects include renovations and extensions to period homes in Abbotsford, Port Melbourne, Brighton, Canterbury and Kew. 

Architecture & Design spoke to Chan about a difficult beach house on the Great Ocean Road, teaching architecture to university students and why he enjoys working with spotted gum. 

What has been the most challenging project you have worked on?

A number of years ago, I worked on a beach house along the Great Ocean Road. The site was extremely challenging - it was on the south side of a steep hill with difficult access, no mains water, no sewer line, no mains gas and in a bushfire-prone area. However, the views were fantastic and we were fortunate that the clients were open to new ideas and innovative solutions.

What solutions did you come up with for those challenges?

Due to the nature of this unique site, we had to take the environmentally sustainability principles to a new level. We started by designing the building with varying levels to follow the gradient of the site to minimise excavation, to take into consideration the location of numerous existing trees and siting the house so that took advantage of natural sunlight and cross ventilation. We then looked at utilising local materials, carefully considered window locations and glass treatment, integrated underground water storage (for drinking, grey water and for fire fighting), a septic sewer system and bottled gas.

After this project, it changed the way that I approached designing environmentally sensitive buildings - that to be sustainable is not just about water tanks and solar panels, but it is a philosophy that needs to be followed through all aspects of any given project.

Abbotsford Extension by Chan Architecture (left)

What were some important things you learnt while you were in the academic field of architecture and design?

Although university teaches students the basic technical skills of being an architect, I believe that the most important skills that students learn are the ability to think critically, the exploration of ideas and the ability to engage in debate. It is this aspect of architecture school that I enjoyed the most both as a student and as a teacher.

What are you working on at the moment? What are the challenges and how are you approaching those challenges?

We've just started work on a new house in McCrae, on the Mornington Penninsula. The site is complex, including various steep gradients across the site, extensive existing vegetation, a creek running through the site, access issues, views, bushfire issues and very strict planning guidelines. Our response to this, and of the client's brief, is to design a house that is pure and simple in form and material, and sits lightly on the site. This approach is more difficult than designing a complex building for a complex site, but the resulting building can be amazing.

What is the most interesting material or product you have worked with?

One of my favourite materials is spotted gum, which comes from the north eastern regions of Victoria up the coast all the way to Queensland. I find it interesting because it has a such character, and a beautiful colour. It's also very hardwearing, versatile in that it can be used in many different applications, easy to work and comes from sustainable sources.

Brighton House by Chan Architecture

What is your favourite building in Australia?

The Sydney Opera House by Jørn Utzon. The expressive form in response to its setting, the rationalisation of the structure of the shells, and the way the light reflects off the white tiled cladding make it one of the iconic buildings of the 20th century. I find inspiration every time I visit the building, and it reminds me how powerful and emotive great architecture can be.