Camden S M McFarlane

Australian Architect with 10+ years experience in the design and construction industry.

Key points:

• Proud is a family D&C business run by an architect builder.

• My first commission was the family house. An unorthodox concept and construction challenge.

• Projects graduated in complexity and scale.

• Participated or witnessed all aspects of the construction industry. Feasibilty to Sales and everything inbetween.

The story starts…

In 2010 as a young student of architecture at the University of Western Australia,  I began working for Proud Property Group which is a family design and construction business. 

The business is run by Ken McFarlane an architect, registered builder and manager who for the last 40 years has designed and built a vast number of residential and commercial projects, varying in complexity, scale and cost ranging from $1m to $10m.

In the summer of 2010 between my university semesters, my parents went on a holiday to Europe. They presented me with a challenge which was to prepare a concept design for their vacant block in Bicton overlooking the Swan River.

Upon their return and much to their surprise and apparent pleasure, I presented them with an entire house concept and design.  Now this was a little awkward because my concept and design was quite different to the sketch designs which my father had prepared. Trying to be the diplomat in the situation, my mother said the decision as to which concept was up to my father. Being a man of few words he studied the concept and design, wisely knowing of the inherent complexity it would involve, and simply said “I like it” and with that I had my first commission.

It was, needless to say, a “baptism of fire” working together to execute this new complex concept from documentation to construction. However, in so many ways, it was an immensely edifying experience which provided the intellectual framework for the overall architectural process.

The story continues …

In the following years I have worked on a variety of projects; from small interior projects to 5 storey apartment developments. My work has involved solving complex design problems in creative ways whilst having to integrate efficient construction and budgetary constraints.

Working with the family business offered me an amazing opportunity for a graduate architect to be one of two principal designers and to have partial or full responsibility in all aspects of projects from start to finish.

Being involved in the construction industry “at the coal face” has been an enormous benefit too, being confronted with the daily “hands on” problems which needed to be solved. As a participant in the construction process as a whole, I have appreciated the important role and responsibility that architects have in it.

Having completed the registration process several years ago I have forged on with my passion for architecture and remain a strident advocate for this great profession and I am looking for my next challenge.