WILLIAMS MEDIA caught up with one half of Bagnato Architects, Marie Bagnato to find out what it's like to work with your husband, the most interesting brief she's ever been given, and what her advice would be to someone hoping to become an architect.

What do you enjoy most about your profession?

I enjoy being on a building site and seeing a concept become a reality. Seeing a project come to fruition after many months of working on it always brings me a sense of inspiration and is what drives me to undertake the next project!

What is it like working alongside each other as a husband and wife team?

Working alongside my husband is an interesting one! It can present its challenges as “work” does often become the point of conversation, but we are lucky in that we have always been good friends and a great team....and we don’t work “together” on projects often....this helps!

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What advice would you give to new property investors wishing to build or renovate?

Property investors wishing to build or renovate should select an architect and a builder that they feel comfortable with as it is a long journey. Every architect’s dream is to have clients who have full faith in them and their design- this work environment will always produce the best results, without fail.

Choosing the right builder is just as important- there needs to be a team environment between architect and builder so that the optimum result can be achieved.

For anyone who hasn’t used an architect before, one of the most important parts of the architects’ services is the “contract administration”. This is the part of the job where we attend the building site during construction- this allows the architect to have full control over the final product, ensuring that details are being adhered to, so that the final product is what the architect has actually drawn.

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Property investors are at present entering a market where construction costs are at their highest in my career and as such, anyone considering building or renovating should be prepared for this. Anyone entering a contract with a builder should have a contingency sum allowed for during construction whether they are building a new home or renovating an old one; for those unforeseen costs and potential variations that may occur.

What is the most interesting brief you’ve been given by a client?

This is a good question. Probably a recent one, where my client wants an “industrial style” building, using raw materials, exposed concrete internally and externally with a loft-style lift. It’s an exciting brief as it is not the norm- it conjures the imagination and provokes creativity.

I am still waiting for someone to come to me with a little boutique hotel!

Did you take on the project?

Yes, I did take on the project.

What advice would you give to a newly graduated Architect or someone thinking about Architecture as a career?

Anyone considering architecture should think carefully! It is a fulfilling yet frustrating profession- be prepared for a lifetime of learning. I am about to turn 50 this year and each day still presents a new challenge and something new to learn.

Also, be prepared for more paperwork than you ever imagined! I did not study law when I graduated from high school and chose architecture instead so that I could be “creative” and not have to do paperwork for the rest of my life...boy was I wrong! Sadly, there is a minute portion of our work that is creative, and the rest is collecting information an paperwork, dealing with authorities, policies and regulations.

Where do you live now, and where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?

I live in Ascot Vale in Melbourne. I would live near the coast somewhere on the Peninsula if I could, not sure of I would go to another country, albeit, Italy has merits!

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