Cassandra Fahey facts for kids
Cassandra Fahey is an Australian architect and interior designer. She lives in Melbourne. She leads her own architecture company called "Cassandra Complex." She became well-known in 2000 for designing the 'Newman House' in St Kilda. This house was for a famous media and football person, Sam Newman. Cassandra Fahey is also known for her work on "The Smith Great Aussie Home" and the BHP Billiton Healesville Sanctuary "Platypusary." Her designs have won many awards and have been shown in magazines around the world.
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Cassandra Fahey's Career Journey
Cassandra finished her architecture degree at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in 1998. While studying, she traveled to make a film about architects. She met famous architects like Sir Norman Foster and Jean Nouvel. In New York, she met artist Richard Serra. His sculptures, especially one in a garage, really inspired her. You can see this influence in her own house, called "Chameleon."
Back in Melbourne, she got advice from other architects like Tom Kovac. Soon, she started her own company, "Cassandra Complex." In 2005, Cassandra studied for a Master's degree in Contemporary Art. This was at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne.
Cassandra has a special way of designing. She uses different styles for each project. She doesn't stick to just one look. She calls this her "no one way" approach. She gets ideas from nature, from the artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye, and from many other things.
Amazing Buildings and Designs
The Sam Newman House
Cassandra Fahey had a lot of freedom when designing the Sam Newman House. It is in St. Kilda West, Melbourne. She named it "White Noise." The house has a unique front design, 9 meters by 8 meters. It uses patterned glass. It also has a large picture of Pamela Anderson. The garage door opens where her mouth is. This house mixes modern and simple styles.
The house was finished in 2001. The design won an award for Best New Residential Building. But the outside of the house was quite talked about. Some people didn't like it. It became known as a house that many people in Melbourne had strong opinions about.
The Platypusary at Healesville Sanctuary
The Platypusary at Healesville Sanctuary opened on May 12, 2005. It was built for platypuses. The outside of the building has gold panels. These panels have leaf shapes carved into them. Inside, there are ponds of water that look like a natural creek. When the sun shines, it casts cool shadows and reflections from the leaves onto the marble floor.
The moving water in the pools creates different light patterns on the gold panels. This shows a constant connection and reflection. The design also includes ideas from "Awelye," which is a type of ceremony in Australian Aboriginal culture.
The Smith Great Aussie Home
The Smith Great Aussie Home was designed for a businessman named Darren Smith. This large house cost about $1.6 million. It is located in Black Rock, Melbourne, Victoria. It is known as a very impressive home.
Other Interesting Projects
- Husk Boutique, Melbourne, CBD
- Crowning Glory, Monash Museum of Art
- Chameleon warehouse conversion, North Melbourne
- Josh Abrahams House, Brighton
- A bathroom for Jonathan Mills
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Russell Street, Melbourne
- Breamlea House
- Menorah House, Hawthorn (not built)
Awards and Recognition
Cassandra Fahey's work has won many awards, showing her talent in architecture and design:
- 2007 Bulletin Smart 100 – Best Australian Designer 2007
- 2007 Marion Mahony Interior Architecture Award – New Gold Mountain, Melbourne
- 2007 Residential Architecture – Houses Award – The Smith Great Aussie Home, Blackrock
- 2007 Interior Commendation – National Award – The Smith Great Aussie Home, Blackrock
- 2006 Institutional Architecture Award – BHP Billiton Platypussary, Victoria
- 2006 Commercial Architecture Award – HUSK Collins Street, Melbourne
- 2006 Dulux Color Awards – Chameleon (Warehouse conversion), North Melbourne
- 2004 Residential Architecture Award – Chameleon, North Melbourne
- 2004 The Interior Award – National Award – Chameleon, North Melbourne
- 2004 IDA Interior Design Awards – Chameleon, Refurbished Residential Interior
- 2003 Residential Architecture Award – Sam Newman House, St. Kilda
Images for kids
