BUILD Q4 2019

30 BUILD Q4 2019 Jul19417 ow in its eighth year, C.Kairouz Architects is an award-winning, youthful practice in Melbourne’s bustling inner-north. Founded in 2011 by managing director, Chahid Kairouz, the practice has gradually expanded to a size of 35 staff with a healthy mix of international architects and local architects forging a broad mix of creativ- ity and experience. Focusing on residential and commercial architecture and with over one hundred projects, the practice’s experience in the sector is unparalleled for its youth. C.Kairouz Architects has developed a growing industry reputation for its unique process, project implementation and commitment to deliver high quality projects and innovative design solutions. Managing director Chahid Kairouz is also director of a construc- tion company and a project management company, both of which have armed the firm with a holistic approach when designing projects, enabling the capacity to understand the motives for all parties involved. This has spawned fortunate opportunities for Chahid to have a hand in the development of projects, where the firm can advocate its passion for new sustainability technologies and push the architectural agenda of the project. This unique strength in C.Kairouz Architects’ repertoire works favourably when working on multi-residential projects, and eight years later makes for a significant portion of the firm’s portfolio in response to the booming construction and housing market in Melbourne. A task that would normally be resource demanding, C.Kairouz Architects has a dedicated interiors division, allowing these multi-residential designs to be fully realised and complet- ed in an effective and timely manner all under the one roof. Contrary to typical multi-residential buildings of a similar densi- ty, C.Kairouz Architect’s approach is specifically tailored to offer favourable solutions for all parties involved. The firm takes a balanced approach to designing projects, focusing on provid- ing a diverse range of apartments to broaden the appeal and enable the building to cater for a wide range of residents and their needs, therefore making the building relevant for longer. This can mean that the maximisation on the number of apart- ments is relinquished in favour of apartments with larger spaces that provide an environment to foster a better quality of life for residents. Large, spacious floorplans are paramount, making each apartment feel more like a home (without the expense of C.Kairouz Architects Continue to Amaze in Australia N land costs) becoming a desirable option for those seeking to move into the blue-chip postcodes where the firm’s clientele strategically choose to develop. This approach has been met with outstanding success, with most recently completed project, Spring Malvern, being a prime example. The firm received significant success in 2019 in the form of two major milestones. The first, was being recognised in the International Property Awards Asia Pacific, where the firm’s design of The General was awarded as a winner in both the Ar- chitecture Multiple Residence and the Residential Development categories, putting C.Kairouz Architects on the world stage among a vanguard of esteemed architects. The General was the first building in Australia to use photovoltaic glass on the façade as well as a building fabric. The project is a statement in architectural design, but more importantly its energy consump- tion minimisation strategy is now a precedent for all large-scale developments in the area. The second milestone of success was the recent integration of local firm WH Architects, whose strength lies in commercial, education and community architecture. WH Architects brings with them a portfolio which complements C.Kairouz Architects perfectly, broadening the firm’s capacity for excellence across multiple sectors. To facilitate and promote the expansion, the C.Kairouz Architects opened a second office strategically locat- ed in Melbourne’s inner-east. The tail-end of 2019 includes some exciting projects in estab- lishing growth and development of the firm’s portfolio. Premium multi-residential project Aintree Park will introduce a new level of sustainability and intelligent living. Another major project, Starbay Resort , is the first project of its kind and magnitude for the firm, offering new and exciting chal- lenges. Described as an eco-resort at its core, Starbay Resort includes a submerged Indigenous Australian art gallery, large restaurant, day spa and wellness facility and a large collection of private cabins built into the rockface along New South Wales’ stunning Hawkesbury River. The firm will also expand into the government sector, as they look at tackling infrastructure and urban redevelopment which