Abstract

The Act of Reflective Practice explores the manner in which three individuals, young architects, came together and the manner in which their inherent value systems inform and determine the way they produce architecture. The research offers a systematic distillation of the common value systems behind the individuals who comprise iredale pedersen hook architects, identifying the particularity of each practitioner in terms of their expertise, experience and character within the collective and the situations from which the individuals have emerged. The PhD tracks the evolution of the practice and identification of its architecture through the RMIT Invitational Masters of Architecture by Project program and PhD by Project program, contextualizing the work through the establishment of a network of mentors and peers and ultimately locates the work locally, nationally and globally. When introduced to the idea of the 'Reflective Practitioner', the architecture of iredale pedersen hook has taken a significant evolutionary step where the three individuals have begun to operate in a more cohesive manner and the inherent value system and concerns behind the work are now able to inform the future direction of the architecture. The research also explores how this shift has expand the character of the work and transform the manner in which the architecture is conceived, described and ultimately produced. Through the PhD and the accompanying Masters by my two practice partners and collaborators, Adrian Iredale and Finn Pedersen, the primary concerns embedded within our work have been isolated and a systematic but qualitative method developed that may assess the impact of these concerns across a selection of iredale pedersen hook projects. The PhD defines a methodology, The Field of Concerns, by which the projects produced by iredale pedersen hook architects may be scrutinised and assessed in a qualitative framework, based on the agreed parameters and inherent value system underpinning the work. The definition of the Field of Concerns is critical in the ability to establish an identity for each project and place it within the evolutionary output of the practice. Subsequent testing of the projects against the Concerns through the creation of spider diagrams enables the establishment of a visual process for evaluating the success of the projects against the aims of the practice and can be applied throughout the design process and upon completion. Together, the process of clarification, the questioning of our ability to claim authorship, and presence of all partners in each project may offer a qualitative framework for other 'Self-Curating Collectives' to establish criteria for exploring the evolution of their work