For 25 years Sam Crawford has been delivering diverse and unique architecture projects across all types, scales and budgets with one goal - the common good.

“This ‘common good’ is not just for the individual client, but for the whole community. Good buildings communicate the love and care taken in designing them. People love them back,” says Sam Crawford, Director of SCA.

“Over the last 25 years, we have successfully completed more than 200 projects. We have been shortlisted for 70 and won 32 local, state and national awards from the Australian Institute of Architects, and industry, interior and heritage awards.

“It’s always an honour to have our work acknowledged by peers, and great that clients receive recognition of their commitment to quality architecture. Good clients make great architecture.”

This year, for the first time, SCA have been shortlisted in an international award - the World Architecture Festival (WAF) for Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre (BARC).

Known for their private dwellings, the firm added public projects to its portfolio in 2015 and has gone on to complete over 22 public buildings. This shift was in recognition that public buildings could make a bigger impact on a greater number of people’s lives.

“We have a lot to celebrate and exciting challenges ahead. We are currently working on libraries, schools, childcare centres, universities, student housing, sports pavilions, seniors’ recreation centres, restaurants and animal shelters,” Crawford says.

He believes that collaborations with artists and Connecting with Country consultants are integral to the enriched outcomes of SCA projects, as each brings a rigour of thought and process to the integration of art, culture and architecture.

“Perhaps the single most valuable lesson I have learnt through leading a practice for 25 years to keep reminding yourself to be empathetic to your client – to put yourself in their shoes, to think about the consequences of your design decisions on them and those around them.”

The 25 strong staff are integral to the firm’s success according to Crawford.

“Architecture is like gardening. Clients enjoy the flowers and the fruit, the produce, but it is the soil biome – the people you employ - that must be rich and diverse if you are to grow beautiful and nutritious produce. Introducing a nine-day fortnight a few years back has led to a more productive work environment,” he says.

“And building a leadership team has strengthened the firm, attracting and retaining the best talent.”

Image: Sam Crawford and Gabrielle Pelletier/supplied

Clémence Carayol

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