Chloe Naughton: Work in progress
Architect
Interview by Janne Ryan | Photography by Ben Hosking
Architect Chloe Naughton started her career as a maverick, moving to an isolated town to design her parents’ home. The challenge liberated her, and the project (Inverdon House) won major awards, and shortlisted at the 2017 World Architecture Festival (WAF). After a stint in Peru with Barclay & Crousee, she’s returned to Sydney, working in large practice. Chloe talks with Sparkkle about mentors and Instagram, going it alone, and working in a team.
WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT CAREER DECISION YOU’VE MADE?
I was twenty-four and about to graduate with my Masters of Architecture (in Queensland, Australia) when my parents asked me to build them a house in rural North Queensland. All my mates were moving into proper adult office jobs, but I headed up north, alone for a few years, to experiment with my ideas on a building site.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
I had to become comfortable asking the dumb, but vital questions. I had to be vulnerable enough to let my guard down and acknowledge how little I knew.
Inverdon House living area by architect Chloe Naughton.
“EVERYONE IS LEARNING, YOU JUST HAVE TO LET DOWN YOUR GUARD.”
WHAT WAS THE CHALLENGE?
At first I was scared to ask people for advice. I felt a bit foolish. I would call people in the profession explaining that I was a graduate architect designing a house for my parents. But I met with a lot of resistance, people were often unwilling to share their knowledge, which was disheartening at the time. Architecture can be very insular when you’re practicing in a remote place, disconnected from the design world.
Flow-through living at Inverdon House.
HOW DID YOU RESOLVE THAT PROBLEM?
Once construction began on site, I started to document the whole process on Instagram. I’d share everything, hoping someone would gain something from what I was learning. At the beginning I was uncomfortable about sharing everything, and I’d say ‘This is what I’m doing, and this is why I’m doing it’. But the more I shared my process in that way, the easier it became.
WHAT RESPONSE DID YOU GET?
It was incredible. I had responses from people all over the world, including established architects, asking me about what I was doing. Everyone is learning, you just have to let down your guard. People are receptive to that. People shared all kinds of things with me ... from finishes, to remarkable book recommendations.
Breezeblocks a tropical climate favourite.
SIGNIFICANT MENTORS?
My grandfather, a self-taught craftsman; he’s always been by my side. There have also been some significant women in architecture: Sandra Barclay, from Barclay and Crousee, based in Peru. They encouraged me to take a risk and experience living and working overseas.
“CURIOSITY GIVES YOU PERMISSION TO ASK QUESTIONS. THERE ARE NO BOUNDARIES.”
NOW YOUR’E WORKING IN TEAMS; WHAT IS THAT TEACHING YOU?
I never saw myself working in a large practice. I’d naively assumed it was easy to get lost in a large company, but at BVN where I now work, the opposite has happened. Everyone has a voice and is involved in the big discussions, it’s highly collaborative. They’ve deeply considered their structure.
Hands on experience, architect Chloe Naughton learning on site at Inverdon House.
WHAT ARE YOU OBSERVING?
I am taking notice of people around and above me, and how they work. I really admire my colleagues who manage teams and delegate roles without any ego. It’s difficult to do that successfully.
THE ROLE OF CURIOSITY AND RISK?
Curiosity gives you permission to ask questions. There are no boundaries. I like to explore other avenues within design and creativity, and am open to ‘other projects’, you know, if the opportunity presents itself.
Block walls, intricately pattered, taking shape at Inverdon House.
“I’M NOT AFRAID OF UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATIONS.”
KNOW YOURSELF?
I trust myself and have faith that no matter what everything will work out eventually. It doesn’t matter whether I enjoy it or not. Living and working in Peru wasn’t easy but it’s the best thing I’ve done. I’m not afraid of uncomfortable situations.
WHAT IS YOUR IMMEDIATE GOAL?
I don’t do ‘goals’! At the moment I am focused on becoming a really great project architect, to be able to run a project really successfully. I’m not there yet.
