Overview
This oral history interview with architects Kerry Clare and Lindsay Clare, conducted on 23 June 2022, explores their formative years, design philosophy, and contributions to Australian architecture. Both began their careers in Gabriel Poole’s Sunshine Coast practice, describing it as an immersive, hands-on apprenticeship that emphasized responsiveness to climate, site, and client needs. Their approach evolved from practical construction knowledge, prioritizing spatial efficiency, passive design principles, and contextual integration over stylistic aesthetics.
The Clares highlight the Sunshine Coast’s architectural ethos as grounded in first principles—orientation, ventilation, and adaptability—rather than visual uniformity. They recount Poole’s influence, his inventive reinterpretations of the Queenslander, and the collaborative culture that shaped a distinctive regional identity. Their own work spans residential, public, and urban projects, applying these principles to diverse contexts, from subtropical housing prototypes to major civic buildings such as GOMA in Brisbane and Melbourne’s Docklands Library.
They reflect on regulatory changes limiting earlier design freedoms, the importance of mentorship, and their advocacy for design education emphasizing iterative, exploratory processes. The Clares underscore the enduring relevance of climate-responsive architecture and call for its application in contemporary urban development to preserve the authenticity and legacy of Sunshine Coast design.
