Philip Harmer
Encyclopedia
Philip Harmer is an Australian Architect
. He graduated from the University of Melbourne
with a Bachelors Degree in Architecture in 1976, and became a Fellow of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA
). Harmer has a strong appreciation for sculptural form and space that are powerfully shaped or wrought; thus, his masterpieces display the cleverness of how certain materials and details are used to represent his individual persona.
Architects from 1972 to 1974. After graduating, he spent a few years working for Sidell Gibson Partnership Architects and JR Harris Architects in the United Kingdom
. However, by 1980, Harmer was working for Buchan Laird & Buchan Architects before he developed his own company called, Harmer Architecture, in Collingwood, Australia. Up until 2010, his company has won 14 RAIA
awards. Harmer also holds a CASA private pilots license.
Harmer Architecture won the RAIA regional prize for the Esso BHP Billiton Wellington Entertainment Center in Sale, Victoria
, Australia in 2004. With the aim to win this prize, their projects had to make noteworthy contributions to regional Victoria. Thus, their success led the jury to announce the importance of their development for the people of Sale. The jury also acknowledged that the company had, “…responded beyond the brief to provide an urban building that opens vistas and routes from the main road through to the historic but neglected Port of Sale
.”
award with the development of the monumental Altona Meadows/Laverton Uniting Church. The design of the building was inspired from an aircraft hangar because of the recognition of the aviation industry in Melbourne
. The six curve-shaped iron pieces supports the main part of the building in which, “The curved roof form has been chosen for functional and economic reasons [where] the principal worship space is located centrally under the highest part of the roof with the secondary spaces grouped at each end...” There are also movable walls inside the building, which can create more open or closed spaces. According to Goad, Harmer’s choice of using bold shapes, strong colors and graphic structural expressions allows one to travel back to the structural-functional era when churches reflected postwar liturgical advances.
and the Winner Wools of New Zealand
award from Interior Design Awards. Wedge House is one of Melbourne’s narrowest buildings with only 1.8 meters in width and 16 meters in length. The major materials used were concrete and rubber, but stainless steel linings and ionized copper sheets were also used for the main entrance door and windows. Rollo mentioned that the, “The two-storey house responds to the shape of the wedge in both plan and elevation [and] its design almost reflects seamlessly to a street scape of two-storey and single-storey Victorian homes and buildings.”
This project recognizes Harmer’s hard work in challenging himself to construct a magnificent piece of architecture that is not only remarkable, but also practical enough to ensure that no space is wasted. For example, the office area is separated from the main bedroom by wardrobes, cupboards, and storage. The kitchen and bathroom are located on the narrowest ends of the first and ground floor; however, the free-standing stair wall would create an open slit between the floors making it appear more spacious. An interesting feature about this house is that the dining bench is built into one of the walls. Finally, the widest end of the first floor was made into a living room because the large glass walls that open to the west and south brings views of the city for family and friends to enjoy.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
. He graduated from the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
with a Bachelors Degree in Architecture in 1976, and became a Fellow of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA
Raia
Raia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
). Harmer has a strong appreciation for sculptural form and space that are powerfully shaped or wrought; thus, his masterpieces display the cleverness of how certain materials and details are used to represent his individual persona.
Personal life
Before Harmer enrolled in the Architecture program, he had worked for Yuncken FreemanYuncken Freeman
Yuncken Freeman is an Australian architecture firm. Yuncken Freeman has grown steadily over the years particularly from the economic boom from the 1950s to 1980s to be a sizeable firm in Australia...
Architects from 1972 to 1974. After graduating, he spent a few years working for Sidell Gibson Partnership Architects and JR Harris Architects in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. However, by 1980, Harmer was working for Buchan Laird & Buchan Architects before he developed his own company called, Harmer Architecture, in Collingwood, Australia. Up until 2010, his company has won 14 RAIA
Raia
Raia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
awards. Harmer also holds a CASA private pilots license.
Harmer Architecture won the RAIA regional prize for the Esso BHP Billiton Wellington Entertainment Center in Sale, Victoria
Sale, Victoria
Sale is a city in the Gippsland region of the Australian state of Victoria. It is the seat of the Shire of Wellington as well as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sale and the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland. It has a population of around 13,336, and is expected to reach a population of 14,000 soon...
, Australia in 2004. With the aim to win this prize, their projects had to make noteworthy contributions to regional Victoria. Thus, their success led the jury to announce the importance of their development for the people of Sale. The jury also acknowledged that the company had, “…responded beyond the brief to provide an urban building that opens vistas and routes from the main road through to the historic but neglected Port of Sale
Sale
Sale may refer to:* Sales * Sale, discounts and allowances in the prices of goods, such as:**Fire sale, a drastic discount in prices**Loan sale, a sale under contract of all or part of the cash stream from a specific loan...
.”
Altona Meadows/Laverton Uniting Church 1993
In 1993, Harmer won his second RAIARaia
Raia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
award with the development of the monumental Altona Meadows/Laverton Uniting Church. The design of the building was inspired from an aircraft hangar because of the recognition of the aviation industry in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. The six curve-shaped iron pieces supports the main part of the building in which, “The curved roof form has been chosen for functional and economic reasons [where] the principal worship space is located centrally under the highest part of the roof with the secondary spaces grouped at each end...” There are also movable walls inside the building, which can create more open or closed spaces. According to Goad, Harmer’s choice of using bold shapes, strong colors and graphic structural expressions allows one to travel back to the structural-functional era when churches reflected postwar liturgical advances.
Wedge House 1999
After building the Wedge House in 1999, Harmer Architecture received both the Commendation for Outstanding Architecture award from the RAIARaia
Raia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
and the Winner Wools of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
award from Interior Design Awards. Wedge House is one of Melbourne’s narrowest buildings with only 1.8 meters in width and 16 meters in length. The major materials used were concrete and rubber, but stainless steel linings and ionized copper sheets were also used for the main entrance door and windows. Rollo mentioned that the, “The two-storey house responds to the shape of the wedge in both plan and elevation [and] its design almost reflects seamlessly to a street scape of two-storey and single-storey Victorian homes and buildings.”
This project recognizes Harmer’s hard work in challenging himself to construct a magnificent piece of architecture that is not only remarkable, but also practical enough to ensure that no space is wasted. For example, the office area is separated from the main bedroom by wardrobes, cupboards, and storage. The kitchen and bathroom are located on the narrowest ends of the first and ground floor; however, the free-standing stair wall would create an open slit between the floors making it appear more spacious. An interesting feature about this house is that the dining bench is built into one of the walls. Finally, the widest end of the first floor was made into a living room because the large glass walls that open to the west and south brings views of the city for family and friends to enjoy.
Darebin Arts & Entertainment Center 1995
The Darebin Arts & Entertainment Center was built with different parts to represent unique themes and functions of a variety of different programs. Therefore, this entertainment center can be used for multi purposes such as using it as a place for festivities or simply as a theater. It is worthwhile to mention that the “…the saw tooth roofs of the meeting rooms and studios refer to the industrial history of Preston [and the] theater is expressed as a colonnade of concrete fins from which the auditorium is suspended. This entertainment center was built along the axis running in the north-south direction on the site. The axis of the plan is designed on a 9 meter by 9 meter grid with arrangements of keeping the car park in mind. In addition, the axis is connecting to the Municipal Gardens behind the building.Awards
- 2006 Luciano Rossettimausoleum:RAIARaiaRaia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
Architecture Award, Institutional Category
- 2005 Gatehouse Mausoleum : RAIARaiaRaia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
Architecture Award, Institutional Alterations and Extensions Category
- 2005 Fawkner Admin Building: RAIARaiaRaia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
Architecture Award, Commercial New Category
- 2004 Sale Theater: RAIARaiaRaia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
Regional Prize 2004, Commendation IDAA Awards 2005, Public/Institutional Interior Design
- 2003 Budd ST. Office : 3 RAIARaiaRaia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
Architecture Awards, Commercial New Category, Interior Category; Major Sponsors Award; Best Corporate Interior IDAA Awards 2004
- 2002 Evelyn County Estate: RAIARaiaRaia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
Architecture Award, Interior Category
- 1999 Wedge House: RAIARaiaRaia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
Commendation for Outstanding Architecture, Interior Design Awards, Winner Wools of New Zealand
- 1996 Darebin Arts Centre: RAIARaiaRaia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
Merit Award for Outstanding Architecture
- 1994 Funeral Parlour: RAIARaiaRaia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
Commendation for Outstanding Architecture
- 1993 Altona Church: RAIARaiaRaia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
Merit Award for Outstanding Architecture
- 1987 Melton Uniting Church RAIARaiaRaia may refer to:* Royal Australian Institute of Architects, a professional body for architects in Australia* Raia , a small village in Goa, India, about 6 km from Margao on the way to Loutolim...
Merit Award for Outstanding Architecture