Revered Melbourne-based architecture practice Kennedy Nolan are no strangers to our pages. Established in 1999 by Rachel Nolan and Patrick Kennedy, the much-loved local architects celebrate 20 years in business this year (ummm – wow!), and reflect here on their practice and subsequent industry achievements.

Meeting while living at the University of Melbourne’s residential college, what started out as two uni mates with a shared vision has led to one of Australia’s most respected and lasting architectural partnerships.

In the two decades that Kennedy Nolan has been up and running, the pair has helmed a diverse portfolio of projects – principally focussing on residential projects, at times lending their skills to educational, retail and hospitality projects too. Starting as just two, the firm has grown to a trusted team of 20 over the years.

Read on for eloquent explanations of their industry history, their thoughts on the biggest challenges facing architects today, insights as to what consistently inspires their work and their secrets to success.

See more projects by Kennedy Nolan on Yellowtrace.

+ Hello Patrick & Rachel, welcome to Yellowtrace! Could you please give us a quick introduction on yourselves and the path that lead you to establish Kennedy Nolan?

+ Your practice is celebrating 20 years in business this year, which is an incredible achievement. How has your business evolved over the years, and how have you responded to the growth and changes in the architecture industry, advancements in technology etc?

+ What is your main priority when starting projects? Is there something that is fundamental to your practice – your philosophy and your process? And has this changed at all over the years?

+ How is your studio structured? i.e. How many of you work in the studio, what types of skills do you have in-house, is there anything you are outsourcing, and how many projects do you handle at any one time?

+ How do you organise and manage the competing demands of modern business and life? Do you have any tip or tricks you could share with us that help you in your day to day (i.e. software, online tools, shortcuts, task management, cheat sheets, advisors, anything!)

+ In retrospect, what do you consider to have been a turning point in your career as architects? Has there been one project, one client, or an important set of skills you’ve developed that has changed the course of your practice?

+ What do you feel is the most challenging part of being an architect today? And if you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

+ What are your top 3 main sources of inspiration and references you are drawn to regularly – i.e. books, magazines, websites/ blogs, podcasts etc?

+ Who or what are some of your influences? What other designers, peers and creatives, in general, do you admire?

+ What advice would you give to emerging designers who want to follow your path? What was one of your biggest lessons learned since starting your practice?

+ What would be your dream creative project or a collaboration?

+ What’s next – can you share with us your vision, some of your goals (and some of your current projects)?

+ What’s the best mistake you have ever made?

+ Best piece of advice you’ve been given?

+ Your most treasured belonging?

+ What’s one thing other people may not know about you?

+ It’s not very cool, but I really like…

[Images courtesy of Kennedy Nolan. Photography credits as noted.]