FIONA LEW
Lyons
SAY IT LOUD - Naarm Melbourne Exhibitor
MELBOURNE/AUSTRALIA Designer
Who or what inspires you professionally?
Collaboration – within our teams, with clients, consultants, community, and other design practices. I’m humbled to be surrounded by colleagues and mentors who are knowledgeable, passionate and engaged – and an increasingly larger cohort of women.
FIONA LEW
Bio:
Fiona Lew is an Associate and Project Architect at Lyons, experienced in managing all aspects of project delivery from design through to construction. She provides leadership across cultural, public and health sector projects, and contributes to the development of stakeholder briefs with client and key users which guide the final design and technical documentation of a project.
How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
As a child I loved drawing and painting and pursued art and design at high school. I also developed an interest in the sciences. I didn’t know much about architecture, but thought it would merge my interests.
What do you do?
I am a team leader working on all facets of the design process. I’m facilitating stakeholder workshops to flush out the project aspirations, collaborating with consultants on technical aspects & working closely with my team to develop the design.
What excites you in the work you do?
I come from a background of working class immigrant Malaysian-Chinese parents. What drives me is that architecture is not just for the privileged but can bring enrichment to people of all walks of life. Bringing innovative design to the public.
Who or what inspires you professionally?
Collaboration – within our teams, with clients, consultants, community, and other design practices. I’m humbled to be surrounded by colleagues and mentors who are knowledgeable, passionate and engaged – and an increasingly larger cohort of women.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
There’s nothing more joyful than seeing architecture occupied after years of work. Most recently I’ve been proud to maintain a fulfilling career whilst also being an engaged parent. I believe I’m a good role model to my two young sons.
Featured Project Name:
Koorie Heritage Trust
Featured Project Location:
The Yarra Building at Federation Square, Melbourne, Victoria
Featured Project Completion Date:
Complete, 2015
Role in Featured Project:
Architect
Featured Project Description:
This project saw the relocation of the Koorie Heritage Trust from its former premises into the refurbished Yarra Building at Federation Square. It was an opportunity for us to show the role that architecture and design can play in facilitating collaboration and representing culture in the community. The result is a space designed through the lens of dialogue, placing Indigenous culture both literally and figuratively in the heart of Melbourne.
