The work of Nick Tobias has won numerous awards for residential and commercial properties, including an AIA National People’s Choice Award for iconic Bondi home Deepwater House.

As Founding Principal of Sydney-based firm Tobias Partners, Nick is not just an architect and designer, but also a business owner, strategist and advisor, and property investor.

His work is timeless, fundamentally sustainable and carefully crafted, speaking to both the landscape and the needs and histories of his clients.

WILLIAMS MEDIA spoke to Nick about his influences and how they have shaped his career in architecture.

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What do you enjoy most about your profession?

People, process, and precision.

How has your grandmother’s wisdom, “good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement,” influenced your career?

It’s given me courage. Courage to push the boundaries, try new things, always look for evolution. Mainly not to be ruled by fear which is the creativity killer! 

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Meditation and Eastern philosophy have been a part of your life since your teens, how has this influenced your architectural aesthetic?

It has supported a particular rigour and discipline in the way we do things. Which results in a highly resolved and fairly restrained aesthetic.

Tobias Partners has won many awards, residential and commercial for Cooper Park House, Deepwater House, Bridge Room Restaurant to name a few. Which award has meant the most to you?

So far, I think the AIA National People’s Choice Award for Deepwater has been most meaningful. To have a building appreciated by the public is fantastic. 

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

Alignment from the outset is everything, especially alignment of vision with budget. 

Image: Cooper Park House sold by Ben Collier of The Agency. Source: The Agency 

With today’s focus on sustainability, what trends do you see emerging in architecture? 

There appears to be two sides to this story from our perspective. One side includes the passive design principals that can be used to make a building more sustainable - these are really fundamental and therefore the most important. The other side is really about the technologies that are in a way ‘performance enhancers’ - these are good to have but don’t mean much if the fundamentals aren’t right. 

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

Without trying to sound avoidant, there are too many to have a favourite. Our clients come in all shapes and sizes and so do their visions and requirements. That said, we have designed a funeral chapel and mortuary - it’s been fascinating and will be built soon. 

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

Tough question - it’s been a long time since I was in those shoes! I suppose I would recommend doing proper research on what it actually means to be an architect and understand the different opportunities within the field.

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

I live in Watsons Bay. I’m not sure if there is anywhere better... especially at the moment! 

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