Get to know Pauline Hurren, registered Architect for 63 years
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Dec 7, 2019
Get to know Pauline Hurren, registered Architect for 63 years
"A letter sent to me upon my graduation from the Institute of Engineers, with weak congratulations, contained the advice that it would be prudent not to become a member of the Institute as female toilets were not available."
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Hurren Architects
Known for her work with natural materials and strong respect for the environment, architect Pauline Hurren is a trailblazer who qualified in the industry before women’s facilities were provided at the university’s Engineering faculty where she studied. She raised her children on the job and inspired two daughters to follow in her footsteps.
Pauline spoke to WILLIAMS MEDIA about how the world, and architecture as a profession, has changed since she began her practice at home in 1958.
You’ve worked consistently for 63 years, from age 22-85 as a registered Architect, what do you love most about your work?
Creating an environment to promote a sense of belonging for my clients, a home in fact that doesn't follow trends, or a build to impress other Architects.
I enjoy the challenge of taking a client’s brief and from it seeing the final result - a building which sits comfortably in its surrounding and has a qualities & design unlike any other a house and which will become a home.
You are known especially for your work with stone and natural materials, both new homes and restoring stone heritage buildings. Where do you find your inspiration?
As a child I was bedridden for several years and could only "play" outside my imagination. I would visually create hideaways and little homes for my dolls in trees, under bushes, in rocky crevices and in reedy growth by river banks. From these early beginnings a strong respect for the environment developed.
I believe that no house is complete without a garden and that each house design needs to take advantage of the site in relation to existing vegetation, orientation and views.
If existing trees are unable to be transplanted then they must stay, with structures designed to ensure their retention. Trees take priority over buildings, unlike the reverse which happens frequently.
Too many sites are stripped of all vegetation to provide a "clean slate" for a building and much is lost.
Pictured: ‘Halcyon House’, 66 Waverley Ridge Road Crafers West. As seen on Luxury List. Image by Harcourts Williams.
Your practice, Hurren Architects, is built around Hurren women, including your daughter Rosanna who is also an architect, can you tell us a bit about that?
My practice started at home in 1958, in conjunction with my husband Frank and continued on until our fourth child was born. Frank then left the practice to work in an architectural firm, so providing a steady income.
With four children it became impossible for me to work full time and his income was vital for our survival.
The pre-school children were always part of my working life, attending interviews and overseeing works on site.
Our eldest and middle daughters followed my path, with Rosanna, the eldest now part of the practice.
It gives me great pleasure to work with a like-minded ally.
Image: Hurren Architects
How has the profession changed in your experience?
The profession has changed dramatically since I become a registered Architect.
There was no Faculty of Architecture when I enrolled at the University of Adelaide.
Consequently, my degree (B.E. Arch) was obtained at the Faculty of Engineering, studying Civil and transferring to the then School of Mines for architectural studies.
I was the only woman in the Engineering faculty, but now approx. 40% students are women, which has brought significant but gradual change to the profession.
In 2005 you were awarded the Sir James Irwin RAIA President’s Medal for Exemplary Service to and Promotion of the profession of Architecture. What do you think your influence has been on architecture as a profession?
I hope my influence on the profession has been to encourage women in the fight against prejudice and to believe in themselves in spite of negativity towards their abilities.
Fortunately, this long held discrimination against women has dramatically changed over the years.
A letter sent to me upon my graduation from the Institute of Engineers, with weak congratulations, contained the advice that it would be prudent not to become a member of the Institute as female toilets were not available.
This would never happen today!
What advice would you give to a new graduate of Architecture?
Explore your creativity and enjoy your work particularly the close contact with clients who can become lifelong friends. However, know that you will be subject to disappointments as well as exhilarating highs. Mistakes will be made - these are inevitable and necessary to learn and grow.
Is architecture a good profession for women?
Women are particularly suited to the profession and especially so with residential architecture. Traditionally, they are the homemakers and who better than a homemaker to design a home?
What’s your dream home, anywhere in the world?
My dream home is my present home, an old stone building, added to as each child arrived, with several glass wings and located at beautiful garden in the Adelaide Hills where I have lived for the past 60 years.
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