Andrew Maynard Architects

Andrew Maynard first took up residence with  Australia’s leading heritage architects, Allom Lovell, having gained his Bachelor degree in Environment Design in 1996 and Bachelor of Architecture with honours in 1998. It is here where Andrew learned the art of mixing contemporary designs with historically sensitive structures. Moving from here to Woods Bagot Melbourne and then to Six Degrees Architects, Andrew travelled overseas and moved to London where he joined Charter Architects to work in Richard Rogers’ office on a collaborative urban design project. Having gained a wealth of experience, Andrew established his own practice in 2002, and as director of Andrew Maynard Architects, he has gained international recognition.

Why did you decide to become an architect?

My entry score was too low to get into a worthwhile uni course.

If you weren’t an architect, what would you be?

Special forces sniper or a Jedi (preferably a combination of both).

What is your most treasured possession?

My 1977 Star Wars figure collection.

What books do you have on your bedside table?

 Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything and the comic Transmetropolitan.

In your opinion, what personal qualities make a good architect?

Enthusiasm. 

Who would you most like to design something for?

 Matthew Barney and Bjork.

Favourite tool of the trade?

My MacBook Pro.

 Best architectural holiday destination?

Tokyo.

An upcoming international architectural project that excites you is?

Grounding Project by Ryuichi Ashizawa.

 Best vista?

 Looking west from the top of Mount Oakley.

Worst blight?

Tattoo House, North Fitzroy.

Do you discuss your work with other architects?

 Nope.

 If you could meet one person alive?

 Yoda.

 One artwork that inspires you is?

 Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain.

 Straight line or curved?

 Both. 

The greatest hero from the history of architecture?

Geoff Darrow.

The dastardly villain?

Prince Charles.

Perfect happiness is

. . . NA.

Any advice for the young?

Never stop living like a student. It’s sustainable, cheap and fun.