Ross Brewin

Position:

Lecturer and First-Year Coordinator, Department of Architecture

Qualifications:

• Master of Architecture RMIT
• Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) Curtin University
• Bachelor of Applied Science Curtin University

Personal Statement:

Ross Brewin studied architecture at Curtin University in Perth where graduated with honours in 1999. He then practiced with Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects in both Perth and Melbourne over an 8 year period working on a diverse range of projects, including zoo enclosures, remote indigenous housing, single residential dwellings and large commercial buildings. Many of these projects have been published both nationally and internationally in leading architecture and design journals and have won several architectural institute and industry awards.

During his time at IPH Architects, Ross began to develop his own practice and has since carried out a number of architectural projects as a sole practitioner. He has also exhibited at a number of art and architecture exhibitions and contributed articles to several leading architectural design publications. Since 2001, Ross has also taught various architectural design and technology units at both Curtin and RMIT and assisted in research projects at RMIT before becoming a foundation staff member in the new Monash architecture department in 2008.

Ross completed a Master of Architecture by research degree at RMIT University in 2007, which was recognised as ‘strongly competitive at international level’. One of the projects undertaken as part of the this research won a Special Mention at the 2008 Architecture Australia ‘Unbuilt Architecture Awards’. The research has a strong social and environmental sustainability focus, an ongoing concern in his developing research led practice. Current research interest centres around the contribution of small scale alterations and additions housing projects to social and environmental sustainability.

Selected Projects:

   As sole practitioner:                         

• House and short stay accommodation cabins – Great Ocean Road, Victoria
  A project investigating challenges associated with mediating a low budget, the need for low environmental impact and the presence of an at times, overwhelming, sublime landscape.
  
  
• Gallery fit-out + extension – Mossenson Galleries, Collingwood, Victoria
  The stripping away of years of thoughtless modification to a two storey terrace and the careful insertion of a number of simple, yet hard working plywood cabinet ‘infrastructures’ for gallery operation. A new plywood lined, corrugated steel clad ‘outback’ shed for storage of aboriginal artworks is leant against the rear of the gallery.
  
  
• House Alterations and Additions – Coolbinia, Western Australia
  The insertion of a new recycled timber ‘ribbon’ that re-defines the way a large family house that no longer needs to accommodate a family, can be used.
  
  
• DDI Health Office Installation
  A low budget interior installation for a young company pioneering digital xray software using exposed electrical conduit, bright orange paint and light boxes displaying soon to-be outdated xray’s. The project won a commendation in the Dulux colour awards.

      With Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects:

• Sheep House – Project Architect
  The need to create a low impact energy efficient family weekender called for the use of a simple, robust, palette of materials; concrete, timber and stone. The project won the award for ‘Environmental Commitment’ at the 2008 Australian Timber Awards.
  
  
• Innocent Bystander Winery – Project Architect
  The desire to present processing as an integral part of the wine experience, called for new ways of considering the factory typology, leading to the creative use of simple materials; concrete, steel and timber.
  
  
• Remote Community Housing – Design assistant, Design development and Documentation leader   
  Transportation and constructional constraints led to the development of semi transportable structures using simple robust technologies that were arranged in carefully considered and sensitive ways according to community social structures and environmental concerns.
  
  
• Alterations and Additions, Mt Hawthorn – Design and Project Architect
  One of many alterations and additions projects worked on whilst at IPH. This project explored the formal possibilities of the standard mode of construction in Perth; rendered cavity brick whilst accommodating the changing household structure of a young, growing family.
  
  
• Perth Zoo Orang-utan Enclosures – Design team member
  This was one of a number of projects carried out at Perth Zoo, involving the design of new, robust and playful climbing structures that emulate parts of the animal’s natural habitat.
  

Awards:

• 2009:  Architecture Australia Unbuilt Awards 2008 - Special Mention
             ‘Carrara Lakes’ Published in Architecture Australia, Jan / Feb 09
  
  
• 2008:  Australian Timber Awards - Award for ‘Environmental Commitment’
             ‘Sheep House’ (with iredale Pedersen Hook)
  
  
• 2005:  Dulux Color Awards - Commendation
             ‘DDI Office installation’
  

Selected  Writing:

• 2008:  Guest Editor – Architect Victoria magazine – Spring Edition.
  
• 2007 - 2008:  Publication assistant - Re Housing Conference book, RMIT
  
• 2004 - 2006:  Contributor – Monument magazine.
  
• 2004 - 2007:  Contributor – Is Not magazine.
  
• 2003:  Contributor – The Architect Western Australia magazine
  
• 2001:  Claremont Cultural Node – 4th year student project published in Terra 0

Selected Exhibitions:

• 2008:  Invited exhibitor – ‘Green’ photography exhibition, Breadbox Gallery, Perth
  
• 2007:  Invited exhibitor – ‘3 Under, 4 Over’ exhibition, Breadbox Gallery, Perth
  
• 2006:  Invited exhibitor – ‘Six 06’ exhibition, Mossenson Galleries, Melbourne   
  
• 2006:  Production co-ordinator - Re Housing Conference Exhibition, RMIT
  
• 2006:  Invited exhibitor – ‘Blue’ photography exhibition, Breadbox Gallery, Perth
  
• 2005:  Exhibition production assistant - Rotterdam Biennale, RMIT
  
• 2004:  Invited exhibitor – ‘Architexture’ Exhibition, Connections Gallery, Perth   
  
• 2003:  Featured exhibitor – Demolition Exhibition at 158 William Street, Perth
  
• 2002:  Exhibitor + Commended entry – Dulux Colour Awards, Commercial Interior category, Sydney

Other Relevant Experiences:

   Research:

• 2007– :  Research assistant – Developing Affordable and Sustainable Housing (DASH), Monash University
  
• 2007:   Research assistant - Emerging Researchers Grant, RMIT University
  
• 2006:   Production co-ordinator - Re Housing Conference, RMIT University