“Many of the sectors we work in are more functionally complex and require a highly defined operational brief that may define and inform the design vision overlay. Working across a variety of sectors also contributes to our strong work culture, helping to maintain a highly engaged team passionate about what they do.”
25 August 2022
Meet Director & Managing Principal, Mark Young
The value of design may have been the one thing Mark Young had to fight for growing up in a family of engineers, but our recently appointed Managing Principal says it also gave him an invaluable understanding of how to put a building together.
“Without doubt, the two go hand in hand as we seek to produce architecture that delights and inspires,” Mark says. “For me it was the artistic side of things that appealed.”
Mark arrived in Perth in 2016 from Sydney, bringing with him several decades of experience with top architectural firms, including one of Australia’s largest and best-known integrated design practices. Joining Hunt Architects in September 2021, he stepped into the role of Managing Principal and lead architect in the middle of 2022, continuing to advocate for high-quality architecture and the best built outcomes for clients.
At a time when ‘specialist’ is something of a catchphrase, Mark says project diversity and continuing to nurture an engaged and flexible team will be the driving factors for Hunt Architects over the next 12 months.
“When you’re not working in ‘sector silos’ there’s much more opportunity for natural cross-pollination of ideas, a more free-flowing sharing of learnings and a more lateral approach to design thinking,” he says.
From mining and resources, to arts and culture, health and hospitality, the Hunt Architects team collaborates across all sectors at all levels, tapping into the collective skills, experience and creativity.
“Principles from our experience designing hospitality projects, for example, can add significant value to the design of a mining camp, or a health hub,” Mark says.
“Many of the sectors we work in are more functionally complex and require a highly defined operational brief that may define and inform the design vision overlay. Working across a variety of sectors also contributes to our strong work culture, helping to maintain a highly engaged team passionate about what they do.”
So what are some of the influences shaping Perth’s architectural landscape as Mark settles into his new role?
- Biophilic Design
“The impact of an architect to affect our behaviour is huge and biophilic design – taking cues from nature – is an evolution of this, especially since the arrival of Covid-19,” Mark says.
“Volume, proportion, lighting, materials, colour, they all change our psyche and that sense of connectedness is very important in terms of grounding us.”
- Work Environment
“In a very short space of time Covid-19 has completely transitioned the way we work.
“Employers are more aware of the psychology of work spaces. Now it’s pods for quiet think time, meeting rooms and open-plan areas for wider collaboration.”
- Evolution of Construction Methodologies
“Methods of construction will evolve, but it has been very static in its advancement when compared to the technology that goes into the production of our cars, for example.
“A manufacturing approach to building components is already having an influence but we have a long way to go.”
- 3D Modelling
“From new ways to communicate design vision, parametric modelling, or clash detection software, technology has enabled us to think about architecture in a completely different way.
“Given today’s supply chain and labour issues, it’s even more important that everything gets resolved prior to getting to site.”
Expansion, diversity and continued innovation may all be part of the big picture at Hunt Architects, but Mark says the overarching goal remains the same.
“To deliver amazing pieces of architecture and beautiful buildings that surprise people and make them think and behave better,” he says.
