Richard Stafford
- Richard Stafford
Australian Architect Essay
Basic personal details:
Richard Stafford was born in the mid-seventies and states that “Ever since I was a child I wanted to be an architect”. At the age of eleven Richard was sketching architectural structures when he was told by an adult at the time he should become an architect when he “grows up”, it was from then on he tells us that the idea never left him. Richard then continued his schooling, achieving the necessary subjects required to get into the University of Architecture, aadnd when possible taking the design and drawing subjects.
It is Richards point of view, as university lecturer in architecture that starting the architectural course is a life-long journey.
The trends or variety of trends:
As Richard Stafford has now merged his private practice with that of Design Inc. hence it is not as easy to pick out the trends and stylistic features he individually uses. One of the buildings designed by Richard Stafford is the Barossa Valley Estate – Winery Store in the state of South Australia, Marananga:
“A 2000m2 barrel store with an external finish of sand blasted concrete panels with negative line relief, this building had to meet strict environmental guidelines and the aesthetic requirements of the local authority.”
While Richard Stafford had his own private profession most of his work consisted of commercial and residential architecture. The style of Stafford’s architectural design is very close to that of typical modernism, with a simplistic classiness. Take for example the Barossa valley Estate.
“Richard passionately believes that quality design can have a positive impact on the quality of people’s lives – at work, rest and play.”- http://www.designinc.com.au
Like any good architect, Stafford believes in the vitality of meeting client requirements, and has done so in many areas of Australia.
Stafford also has a reputation for creating beautiful and unique public facilities and designs, such as the well known Banrock Station Wine & Wetland Centre. This was his first major commission and was given a commendation in the “ESD category of the 1999 South Australian Architectural Awards”.
Most of Richards’s designs are located in remote and rural areas. He tells us that due to working in such areas he now has a greater focus on environmental solutions and sustainability rather than it being an optional.
List of magazines and websites:
www.designinc.com.au
Current name of the business, business associates:
Stafford Architects have recently merged with Design Inc. in the interest of more interstate projects and to enhance the talents of their architects. Richard Stafford looked forward to the support from the new union and now holds the position of Managing Director in Design Inc. Richard Stafford specializes in directing projects through the master planning and “concept design phases”. Some of his South Australian associates are as follows: Wayne Dixon, Tim Ross, Alexander Sawers, Brett Cockshell.
Essential Technology:
Of course pencil and paper are the most common and used piece of technology used by Richard. Once the conceptual drawing phases of the architectural planning are complete, the building will then be modelled with a 3D program, most probably Archi-Cad. Through this and other programs test will be made on how much light the structure gets in certain hours of the day, estimated temperatures and so on. Once modelling, texturing, lighting, engineering and sustainability have all been tested with their various programs, a final photo-realistic render will be made so the clients can see virtually what the building looks like in a real-life environment.
Stafford does not tell us a lot about specific architects that influence his work, but more how environments influence it. Stafford, while working in the rural areas of Australia, says he gained knowledge of the importance of environmental design and sustainability.
A Richard Stafford Design:
Banrock Station Wine & Wetland Centre
Banrock Station Wine & Wetland Centre
The Banrock Fine Wine Association started in 1994 with a property of 1750 hectares near Kingston-on-Murray about 200km North-East of Adelaide. This Association has been recognized as on the fastest going wine brands in the world, and the secret to their success is their close association with the environment. With this in mind Stafford would had to design a building that would cater for a client with such an environmentally sustainable focus. To do this Stafford integrated features into the design that would make it more ecologically sustainable; one being that the building relies completely on captured rainwater for the functionality of all water systems.
Energy efficiency
Staffords design was specifically built to be energy efficient.
Features that help to lower energy consumption include.
• “Rammed earth (on selected walls) and concrete floor for thermal mass”
Banrock-Solar
• Reverse brick veneer on certain walls in the building for thermal mass and insulation.
• The use of large windows and openings facing east towards the lagoon.
• High windows and openings allow for cross ventilation and cool breezes.
• Large solar panels to draw on natural energy.
In case of extreme weather conditions evaporative cooling is supplied, and a wood fire for warmth in colder weather. These features minimize on the need for electrical heating and cooling.
Client care and comfort
During summer fans and windows are used to flush out heat that has accumulated, for the comfort of customers. Large Canvases are spread above the decking outside to protect visitors and customers from harmful UV-rays and overexposure to the sun.
In keeping with an environmentally caring focus, the steel and wood used in this building are all locally sourced. NSW Blackbutt on the deck and jarrah wall cladding, doors, frames and windows.
This building is a great destination suitable for any type of person, whether they are young, old or disabled.
By Matthew Duff
References and bibliography:
http://www.architecture.com.au/i-cms?page=791
http://www.staffordarchitects.com.au/
http://www.designinc.com.au/team/richard-stafford
http://www.designinc.com.au/team
http://www.innovest.com.au/pages/proj_thermomass.asp
http://www.southaustralia.com/RiverlandBanrockStationWineWetlands.aspx
