John Andreas, director at WMK Architecture, has more than 25 years experience throughout Australia and Asia.
He has designed a range of projects in commercial, residential, education, hospitality and aged care.
Architecture & Design spoke to him about why losing the Wanthagg desalination project was positive, the growing trend of prefabrication and the firm's Quay project.
What projects are you working on at the moment?
We presently have a 270 unit residential tower called The Quay under construction in Haymarket. Other projects underway include the Sydney International Airport Hotel, the base building for the Cultural Centre at Barangaroo as well as an eco resort in the Whitsundays.
What have been some of the challenges of the projects and what have been your solutions?
The Quay residential development presented many challenges that included a heritage façade and an existing restrictive masterplan for the site. Our first solution was to break the masterplan envelope and open the building up to the north east by designing it as an “L” shaped twin tower scheme. This strategy not only maximised the views but also the daylight ingress and cross ventilation. By utilising our hospitality experience we wanted to create an “urban resort”.
What has been the most controversial project you have worked on?
When I was with Architectus in Melbourne we were part of the Leightons bid for the desalination plant in Wanthagg. Public opinion of the project was pretty negative. We lost the bid. Bad for business but probably good for our reputation.
What do you think will be the biggest impact on the property industry in the next 12-24 months?
Prefabrication will grow and become a major part of our industry.
If you weren't an architect, what would you be doing?
As pretentious as it sounds, an artist.
