Conversations With an Architect - Getting to Know Mel Gawi
- Architeria Architects
- Apr 14
- 8 min read
Updated: Apr 18
Besides talent, one of the defining factors in choosing the right architect is knowing who they are. In this interview, I hope that you will get to know Mel Gawi, the man behind the Architeria brand and learn about his journey to becoming one of Melbourne’s most interesting architects.
What made you want to pursue a career in architecture?
In my family, my parents emphasised the importance of education. While my siblings became doctors, scientists, and engineers from an early age, it became clear to me that I wasn’t interested in medicine or a pure scientific career, however, as a teenager, I developed a special interest in computer programming. I spent hours creating small programs using BASIC and later, Fortran programming languages.
Creativity has always been a significant part of my life, and I have had a passion for architecture, both modern and classic.
I wanted to find a career that combined numbers, my love for mathematics-especially geometry- and physics with my passion for art.
Growing up in Europe, surrounded by classical architecture, I developed a keen interest in the details I observed around me. I realised that architecture is a perfect blend of art, science, and technology and that as an architect, I could offer people advice.
During my architectural studies, I utilised my programming and computer skills. I used Fortran language to write a simulation software for acoustical designs of classrooms and theatres as part of my Masters of Architecture. I also developed a thermal simulation software using Delphi and Pascal to assist with designing environmental and low energy buildings with emphasis on thermal mass as part of my PhD research at Auckland University between 1997-2001. At the time, energy rating assessment wasn’t a common practice in the construction industry in Australia and New Zealand. Things today have changed, and I believe that the love I have for art, physics and maths is noticeable in my journey as an ESD (Environmentally Sustainable Design) architect.
Is there anything else you would do if you hadn’t chosen architecture as a career?
Interesting. I had this discussion not long ago, and I thought about it. I guess my answer is that should I be given the choice again, I would still choose architecture, with a focus on practical knowledge of construction. There is more to architecture than design. It incorporates so much talent, knowledge, and practical solutions. It challenges you to think to become a problem solver.
Architecture isn’t just beautiful forms; our lines mean objects and building elements. Building my own projects has made me the architect I am today. The knowledge and experience you gain from construction and hands-on experience on-site are invaluable. I have enjoyed the construction part tremendously, and I transfer this experience to my architecture, and it allows me to make better decisions for my clients.
When did you decide to establish Architeria, and what made you open your practice?
I have worked for the largest architectural practices in Melbourne. After 10 years, I realised that my knowledge as an architect wasn’t progressing at the pace, I wanted it to.
As part of a corporate business, I often felt that I was a small part of big machinery with a code number and price that could be replaced any day with a cheaper and younger part. I also disliked the rat race, and the politics associated with the large CBD offices that had very little to do with design and creativity. It made me decide to try life as an architect in a smaller office, so I left my job at the time and joined a very small team in Collingwood. In those three years, I learned more than I learned in my entire time in corporate business. My “Boss”, David, was just one year older than me, and he put so much trust in me and encouraged my growth. At his practice, I was running my own projects and managing my own clients. I was on-site and, in the office, managing teams and building up the business. He also supported me in getting my architectural registration.
As a young architect, I felt I could expand myself and start my practice after all these years of experience. Sometimes, we all feel that the grass is greener on the other side, driven by ambition and the need to feather our wings. For better or worse, I left that office and started my own architectural practice (Archigroup Architects) in Melbourne. That was in 2006.
After a short period of time, I realised that I needed more than ambition and skills to run my own business. The market wasn’t that great at the time, and I wasn’t financially prepared to carry all the business risk on my own.
Dubai was booming at the time, so I decided to put my business on hold and be a part of the huge construction taking place there in 2007. I was offered a golden opportunity at an Australian/ Singaporean company based in Dubai as a Senior Design Manager running large teams of Architects and Engineers in The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore and Melbourne.
The work was very interesting, and the travel was so exciting, to say the least. Most importantly, I loved working with my Director (another David), a very experienced Australian architect who helped widen my horizon at all levels and filled the gaps in my business knowledge and experience. David moved on to other offices in the Gulf, and I was handed his position as a project director to manage and run multibillion-dollar projects.
In early 2010, my wife Kate Gawi and I decided to return to Australia.
Together with Kate, who is an interior designer, we decided to establish our practice to offer architectural and interior design services. The name Architeria was born as a play with the words, architecture and interior, and that is the name the business has carried since February 2010.
What are the biggest challenges and/or significant rewards of having your own business?
The biggest challenge starts with being ready on every level before taking the first step. As I said before, owning a business is not always greener than having a secure, good-paying job.
You may think that you are ready based on your own assessment of your skills and knowledge, but reality can look quite different.
As a business owner, you are responsible for everything from A to Z. You have to fund every aspect of your business.
Manoeuvring every step of the way, creating your brand, building up your name and reputation, and trying to find new clients and projects at the same time as you have to deliver outstanding projects to high standards is not always a walk in the park.
I designed and built my own house in Wonga Park, but I had no other projects in my new business to show potential clients. Despite all the projects I had worked on and delivered, the challenge was how to sell my architecture as Architeria. I remember our first website, all it had was a few bad-quality iPhone photos!
That was the biggest challenge. You can’t show projects that you have done at other offices and have little to show as a new business. Simply put, it is like a chicken-and-egg scenario.
However, Kate and I believed in Architeria and worked hard to win our first projects. I guess our positive attitude towards life and our love for our family of four children and Louis, the chihuahua, helped us overcome the most significant challenge: getting our first job.
The quality of our services and close relationship with our clients secured new projects in Architeria Architects' first year.
The work was very rewarding. We love the happiness we see on our clients’ faces when we reveal their home designs. I wish I could have captured on camera every WOW moment at our office with the 3D design on the big screen.
Seeing the large mansions you design; would you say that you are biased to one style of architecture?
I often say that an Architect should not be pigeonholed into one style. A good architect should deliver the client’s vision in the best possible way. The design must also be buildable and affordable by the client.
If your client wants a classical building, there is little point in trying to convince them to have a modern building just because you love modern architecture more or your skills are not suited to classical architecture.
I have built both modern and classical homes myself and tested so many details that I refined over the years and offered improved versions to my clients.
There is one thing in common among all the homes we design: they are beautiful, functional, and meet our client's brief.
What are your aspirations for the future of architecture and yourself as an architect?
I often wish that some of the regulations would be reassessed, as there is much to improve there. If I could change something that, in my view, would improve the creativity of architecture, it would be to review some of the planning regulations properly.
These regulations often create an unnecessary cost to the build while adding to material waste and often hinder a good design outcome.
However, I am optimistic about the latest changes to the planning scheme standards, but , we are yet to see if these changes will actually streamline the process, improve the creativity and save everyone time and money.
I am also lobbying for architects to gain more acknowledgment for the years of study and the registration progress they must undertake. There are significant differences between building designers “drafties” and architects, and this is important to highlight. The level of education and registration process should count. The regulations should look into the different responsibilities of each profession. I hope that this will change.
Personally, I love inspiring and training young architects, and I am excited to see the young and new generation of architects blossom, but I emphasise the value of understanding your history, so while modern architecture is exciting, there is so much value to be learned from classical architecture.
I believe it is human nature to want to leave a legacy behind us, and I believe that one of my biggest joys is seeing clients living in our designs.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I see myself at the Riviera, by the beach, drinking iced coffee with a laptop connected to the team at Architeria: Frans, Sylvanna, and my son Alex, who will be carrying the flag of Architeria into the future.
We have built this business from scratch, fed it with sweat and tears, and created the most prestigious architecture that will last for many generations.
I also see myself in every home we design, every lifestyle we create, and every journey we share with our family, staff, friends, and clients. We could not have done this without their support.
Our signature homes, some of which are the largest and most prestigious homes in Australia, all started with a dream and a passion.
I am proud of the business we built from nothing. Seeing how Architeria Architects’ projects have expanded from Melbourne and Sydney to Tasmania and our new ventures in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we have exciting times ahead. The thousands of homes and apartments we have designed over the years all represent a life for someone. That is truly humbling and something I am grateful for.
The office of Architeria Architects is conveniently located in Doncaster East but services all areas in Melbourne, Sydney and Tasmania. Over the years, Mel has helped his clients achieve their dreams, and many of them have become friends who, in turn, wouldn’t recommend anyone else to their friends and acquaintances. Seeing the word-of-mouth effect that has been the backbone of Architeria’s success story can be credited to the passion and love Mel has for architecture and his genuine care for his clients.
Creative Director and Interior Designer