practice

Harry A Stephens Architect

There are timeless principles that have governed good architecture down the centuries.  Great architecture in every age and in every culture embraces and rejoices in them.  These principles form the core of my approach to architecture and to the best of my ability I endeavour to embody them in my work.  I seek to make spaces and places that are functional and beautiful but above all, meaningful.  I am passionately of the belief that meaningful spaces and places can have a profound effect on the quality of our lives.

I have been a sole architectural practitioner since registering as an Architect with the Architectural Registration Board in 1968.  I joined the staff of the Architecture Faculty at the University of New South Wales in 1970 and remained teaching there unitl 2010.  In my time as an academic I spent twenty years running the first years Architecture program and then founded the first Interior Architecture program in Australia at UNSW of which I was Head until I retired.

Throughout my long academic career I maintained my small architectural practice and since leaving academia the practice has become my chief focus.  I have an excellent network of professionals within the industry with whom I work ensuring that every aspect of the work is carried out to the highest professional standard.

Most of my work has been in New South Wales and has included commercial, educational, religious and domestic projects ranging through office fit outs, a winery, veterinary hospitals, churches, schools, TAFE colleges and numerous residential projects.  The residential projects have been mostly in Sydney's Inner  West with the majority of those in my own suburb of Haberfield. 

I love being an architect.  I always have.  I love drawing and I love making things. It is incredibly rewarding to see people's lives enhanced as the spaces and places that start out as sketches on my drawing board become the settings for rich and meaningful life experiences.