Tisha Lee, a director of architectural firm K2LD, takes pride in developing lasting projects that are flexible for future uses.
Architect Tisha Lee often observes the day-to-day lives of students, staff or family when designing projects, so the spaces she designs will work for the people who use them.
How did you start in the architecture business? Have you always worked in this industry or did you do something else previously?
My love for architecture began as a young girl. For a period of time, my father and I used to enjoy visiting display homes on the weekend; a time when mock Georgian and Tudor style were very popular. Fortunately, my taste has developed somewhat since then!
Upon completion of my Architecture degree at the University of Melbourne, I took up a position at Swaney Draper Architects where I was immersed in both the Residential and Institutional design fields. In order to expand my repertoire I then moved onto Hassell, where I primarily worked educational projects, I worked my way up to Senior Associate and after six years I was ready for my next challenge.
So, in 2009 I joined my partner David as a Principal of K2LD Architects.
What do you love most about your job?
I love the interaction with many different people and the ability to make real change. In particular, here at K2LD we pride ourselves on maintaining a diverse client base, which is as varied as high end residential homes to multi-res developments to community projects. Each of these unique projects gives us the opportunity to touch people’s lives and deliver a product of quality no matter the budget.
What would you like to see done differently in the development/architecture industry?
I would like to see a greater commitment to timelessness and quality in development work. Whilst there is always the challenge of meeting budgets and yields, too often we find that many developments tend to follow trends and fashion in order to be quickly marketable, with less importance placed on longevity.
In our educational and community projects we are always reminded of the responsibility to create buildings that are lasting, yet flexible for future use. Much rigour that goes into thinking in the type of way, my intent is to continue that thinking in residential developments.
How do you accommodate different demographics, for example families and the aged, in your projects/designs?
Collaboration is a key part of what we do. Really getting to know a client and how they work or live in the building means becoming familiar on a personal level. We often immerse ourselves in a day to day observational study to understand how the students, staff or family currently use the space. In our community projects we hold hands-on workshops that help to break down walls and help us to really understand what the driving factors behind the project are and motivates our clients.
Is architecture a good profession for women in terms of flexibility and career progression?
My experience with architecture as a career has been a very rewarding one. Like any career I think it comes down to having the right people around you at the right time. Whilst architecture is a male dominated industry, I have been very fortunate to have had the ability to mould my own career path both as an employee and an employer. Being a mother has had its challenges but I think this is the same with any job. If anything, being a parent brings with it a sensitivity to projects that has helped me to truly understand clients’ needs better. I hope being a woman in the industry, who is proving it is possible to have a career and a family and be successful, inspires future generations.
Where do you live now?
I currently live in Hawthorn, where like many suburbs of Melbourne there is an enjoyable mix of old and new. The gentrification has been very well done, retaining the character of the suburb.
What’s your dream home, anywhere in the world?
Right now my favourite place in the world would be in the hills of Tuscany; where peace and quiet are steeped in history.
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