Clare Cousins

Born in Melbourne, at age 8 Cousins moved to London, and then later to Berlin as her father who practised as a surgeon pursued further medical education.{{Cite web |date=2015-08-09 |title=Clare Cousins Clare Cousins Architects |url=https://gazella.com.au/story/clare-cousins-clare-cousins-architects/ |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Gazella}}

Cousins lives with her husband Ben Pedersen and her two children. The couple purchased their brick Edwardian home in 2007, and three years later did a major renovation designed by Cousins, and built by Pederson and his company Maben.{{Citation |title=Medal of Freedom, African American Recipients of the Presidential |date=2013-03-15 |doi=10.1093/acref/9780195301731.013.34825 |work=African American Studies Center|publisher=Oxford University Press}}

Cousins completed secondary school at St Michael's Grammar School in St Kilda, finishing in 1993. [https://www.stmichaels.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/28149-SMGS-MNews-11_ART_9H_MASTER.pdf] She went on to attend RMIT University (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) from 1994 to 2001 receiving her Bachelor of Architecture. Her first year coincided with a Sand Helsel's first year as Head of Architecture at RMIT. Cousins has stated "an exciting time to have a female head of architecture."{{Cite web |title=Leading from the front: Q+A with Clare Cousins |url=http://www.theredandblackarchitect.com/leading-from-the-front-qa-with-clare-cousins/ |access-date=2023-08-11 |language=en-US}} During her degree Cousins went back to Berlin to do an exchange with Technische Universität Berlin.

During her degree at RMIT, Cousins began working in the construction arm of Van Haandel Group. While working on the Aurora Spa Retreat on the roof of St Kilda's iconic Prince of Wales Hotel she met Wood Marsh.{{Cite web |last=Saccardo |first=Nadia |title=Clare Cousins: Buildings to Breath |url=https://clarecousins.com.au/images/press/Assemble_Issue3_Clare_Cousins.pdf}} After more than two years on the job, and the completion of her schooling Cousins petitioned Marsh for a six-month role at Wood Marsh Architecture. The six-month role became a three year stint.

Cousins opened her studio Clare Cousins Architects in 2005, sharing an office with her husband's construction company Maben at 140 Langford street in North Melbourne. The couple then purchased and moved into a semi-brutalist space that they refurbished and named 'The Blackwood Street Bunker' in 2013. [https://maben.com.au/moving-office/]

During Cousins' tenure as National President of AIA she fought to increase the role of architects in national policy debates, fighting for issues of sustainability, affordable housing and urban density.{{Cite journal |last=Cousins |first=Clare |date=5 January 2019 |title=Foreword: A year in review |journal=Architecture Australia |volume=108 |issue=3 |pages=9}} Cousins has also served as the Victorian chapter councillor,{{Cite web |title=Clare Cousins sworn in as 79th AIA national president |url=https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/people/clare-cousins-sworn-in-as-79th-aia-national-presid |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=Architecture & Design |language=en}} an active member of the Victorian Small and Medium Practice Forums, chair of the Member Services Committee (Victoria), chair of the Architecture Australia Editorial Committee, Constructive Mentoring Program mentor (Victoria) a juror at both state and national levels of the Australian Institute of Architects' National Architecture Awards program.{{Cite web |title=Clare Cousins sworn in as 79th AIA national president |url=https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/people/clare-cousins-sworn-in-as-79th-aia-national-presid |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=Architecture & Design |language=en}}

In 2014, Cousins and Pederson invested $100,000 in Nightingale 1.0, a not-for-profit replicable, triple bottom line housing model with an overarching priority towards social, economic, and environmental sustainability.{{Cite web |date=2019-02-26 |title=Nightingale 1 / Breathe Architecture |url=https://www.archdaily.com/912227/nightingale-1-breathe-architecture |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=ArchDaily}}

Completed in 2022, Cousins lead the design of Nightingale Evergreen. Located along five other Nightingale projects within Nightingale Village, Nightingale Evergreen contains 27 apartments designed for diverse individuals and families.{{Cite web |title=Inside Melbourne's Unconventional 'Evergreen' Apartment Building |url=https://thedesignfiles.net/2023/07/architecture-nightingale-evergreen-clare-cousins |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=thedesignfiles.net}} Through a collaboration with Housing Choices Australia and Women's Property Initiatives, Nightingale Evergreen has pre-allocated 20% of their apartments to community housing providers.

• 2007 Australian Interior Design Awards – Winner – Best State Award Commercial Retail Interior (ACT) (Aesop, Canberra){{Cite web |title=Retail Design |url=https://australianinteriordesignawards.com/gallery/2007/retail-design |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=australianinteriordesignawards.com |language=en}}
• 2007 Australian Interior Design Awards – Commendation – Award for Retail Interior (Aesop, Canberra){{Cite web |title=Aesop, Canberra by Clare Cousins Architects |url=https://australianinteriordesignawards.com/gallery/2007/best-of-state-awards-for-commercial-design/LQP8CV36QX2 |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=australianinteriordesignawards.com |language=en}}
• 2009 Australian Interior Design Awards – Commendation – Award for Colour in Residential Interiors (Page Street Residence)
• 2010 Dulux Colour Awards – Winner – Residential Exterior (342 Apartments){{Cite web |title=Dulux Colour Awards 2010 Winners |url=https://www.spec-net.com.au/press/0410/dul_070410/Dulux-Colour-Awards-2010-Winners |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=www.spec-net.com.au}}
• 2010 Australian Interior Design Awards – Commendation – Award for Colour in Residential Interiors (Mocha, Chadstone){{Cite web |title=Australian Interior Design Awards 2010 – the short list {{!}} Dedece Blog |url=https://www.dedeceblog.com/2010/03/26/australian-interior-design-awards-2010-the-short-list/ |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=www.dedeceblog.com}}
• 2012 Australian Interior Design Awards – Commendation – Residential Design (Brick House){{Cite web |title=Brick House by Clare Cousins |url=https://australianinteriordesignawards.com/gallery/2012/residential-design/WJPXT254Q36 |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=australianinteriordesignawards.com |language=en}}
• In 2013 Cousins was awarded the Emerging Architect Prize at the Institute's Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards.{{Cite web |title=Clare Cousins Architects {{!}} Melbourne Now|url=https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/melbourne-now/artists/clare-cousins-architects/ |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=www.ngv.vic.gov.au}}
• 2013 Australian Interior Design Awards – Commendation – Workplace Design (Moor Street Studio){{Cite web |date=31 May 2013 |title=2013 Australian Interior Design Awards: High Commendations |url=https://architectureau.com/articles/highly-commended-entries-at-the-2013-australian-interior-design-awards/}}
• 2013 Emerging Architect Prize, National – Winner{{Cite web |date=20 Mar 2013 |title=2013 AAA Awards: Emerging Architect Prize |url=https://architectureau.com/articles/2013-emerging-architect-prize/}}
• 2013 Emerging Architect Prize, VIC Chapter – Winner
• 2013 Museums & Galleries National Awards (MAGNA) – Winner – Exhibitions (temporary) level 4 (ACMI Game Masters Exhibitions){{Cite web |title=Game Masters {{!}} Touring Exhibition |url=http://www.acmi.net.au/about/touring-exhibitions/game-masters-touring/ |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=www.acmi.net.au |language=en}}
• 2014 Victorian Architecture Awards – Winner – Residential Architecture (St Kilda East House){{Cite web |date=2014-06-23 |title=2014 Victorian Architecture Award Winners Announced |url=https://wp.architecture.com.au/news-media/2014-victorian-architecture-award-winners-announced/ |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=News & Media |language=en-US}}
• 2014 Victorian Architecture Awards – Commendation – Small Project Architecture (Flinders Lane Apartments)
• 2014 Houses Awards – Commendation – House Alterations and Additions under 200m² (St Kilda East House){{Cite web |date=1 Aug 2014 |title=2014 Houses Awards: Commendations |url=https://architectureau.com/articles/2014-houses-awards-commendations/}}
• 2014 Houses Awards – Commendation – House in a Heritage Context (St Kilda East House)
• 2014 Australian Interior Design Awards – Commendation – Residential Design (Flinders Lane House){{Cite web |date=16 May 2014 |title=2014 Australian Interior Design Awards: Commendations |url=https://architectureau.com/articles/2014-australian-interior-design-awards-commendations/}}
• 2014 Think Brick Awards – Finalist – Bruce Mackenzie Landscape Awards (St Kilda East House){{Cite web |date=11 Aug 2014 |title=2014 Think Brick Awards |url=https://architectureau.com/articles/2014-think-brick-awards/}}
• 2014 Think Brick Awards – Finalist – Roof Tile Excellence Award (The Shingle House)
• 2014 Melbourne Design Awards – Silver Winner – Architecture Residential Constructed (Flinders Lane Apartment){{Cite web |title=Categories – 2014 Melbourne Design Awards |url=https://betterfutureawards.com/MEL14/categorydetails.asp?id=5973 |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=betterfutureawards.com}}
• 2015 Australian Interior Design Awards – Commendation – Public Design (The Channel){{Cite web |date=15 May 2015 |title=2015 Australian Interior Design Awards: Commendations |url=https://architectureau.com/articles/2015-australian-interior-design-awards-commendations/}}
• 2016 Houses Awards – Winner – House Alterations and Additions under 200m² (Baffle House){{Cite web |date=22 Jul 2016 |title=2016 Houses Awards: House Alteration & Addition under 200 m2 |url=https://architectureau.com/articles/2016-houses-awards-house-alteration-addition-under-200m2/}}
• 2016 Houses Awards – Commendation – Outdoor (Baffle House){{Cite web |date=22 Jul 2016 |title=2016 Houses Awards: Commendations |url=https://architectureau.com/articles/2016-houses-awards-commendations/}}
• 2017 Think Brick Awards – Finalist – Horbury Hunt Residential Award (Elsternwick House){{Cite web |date=11 Aug 2017 |title=Winners revealed: 2017 Think Brick Awards |url=https://architectureau.com/articles/think-brick-awards-2017/}}
• 2017 Think Brick Awards – Finalist – Kevin Borland Masonry Award (Rail House)
• In 2018 was awarded the American Institute of Architect's Presidential Medal in New York City.
• Cousins was inaugurated as the national president of the Australian Institute of Architects at the institute's annual general meeting in Melbourne in 2018. Focusing on affordability and sustainability during her term Cousins says, "I am passionate about the transformational role architects play in the life of our cities and communities as champions of innovation, quality and design that enhances sustainability and liveability."{{Cite web |date=2019-01-18 |title=Q&A with Clare Cousins |url=https://design-anthology.com/story/clare-cousins |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Design Anthology}}
• 2018 American Institute of Architects – Presidential Medal{{Cite web |date=2019-01-18 |title=Q&A with Clare Cousins |url=https://design-anthology.com/story/clare-cousins |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=Design Anthology |language=en-GB}}
• 2018 Think Brick Awards – High Commendation – Bruce Mackenzie Landscape Award (Garden Room House){{Cite web |date=28 Aug 2018 |title=Winners revealed: 2018 Think Brick Awards |url=https://architectureau.com/articles/winners-revealed-2018-think-brick-awards/}}
• 2018 Think Brick Awards – High Commendation – Robin Dods Roof Tile Excellence Award (Lewisham Rd House)
• 2019 Melbourne Design Awards – Gold – Architecture Residential Constructed (Garden Room House){{Cite web |title=2019 Melbourne Design Awards |url=https://betterfutureawards.com/MEL19/winners_list.asp |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=betterfutureawards.com}}
• 2019 Melbourne Design Awards – Silver – Architecture Residential Constructed (Long House)
• 2019 Melbourne Design Awards – Silver – Interior Design Public or Institutional (Arts Centre Melbourne)
• 2019 Melbourne Design Awards – Gold – Environmental Design (Long House)
• 2020 Victoria Architecture Awards – Architecture Award – Commercial Architecture (Light Box){{Cite web |title=2020 VIC Architecture Awards Winners |url=https://www.architecture.com.au/2020-vic-architecture-awards-winners |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=Australian Institute of Architects |language=en-AU}}
• 2020 Houses Awards – Commendation – Sustainability (Long House){{Cite web |title=Long House by Clare Cousins Architects |url=https://housesawards.com.au/gallery/2020/sustainability/781LS47KZQ8 |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=housesawards.com.au |language=en}}
• In 2021 Cousins was awarded the President's Medal, the highest honour bestowed by the ACT chapter of AIA. Cousins was recognized for her contribution to the advancement of the profession as a whole, as well as serving as a spokesperson for the #HandsOffAnzacHall campaign, a campaign to stop the demolition of the award-winning Anzac Hall.
• 2021 Australian Institute of Architects ACT – Chapter President's Medal{{Cite web |title=ACT architecture prizes recognise powerful advocates and emerging talent |url=https://www.architecture.com.au/archives/news_media_articles/act-architecture-prizes-recognise-powerful-advocates-and-emerging-talent |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Australian Institute of Architects |language=en-AU}}
• 2021 Think Brick Awards – Winner – Robin Dods Roof Tile Excellence Award (Camberwell House){{Cite web |title=Awards Winners 2021 |url=https://www.thinkbrick.com.au/news/think-brick-awards-2021-winners |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=www.thinkbrick.com.au}}
• 2021 Think Brick Awards – High Commendation – Hornbury Hunt Residential Award (Camberwell House)
• 2021 Think Brick Awards – High Commendation – Hornbury Hunt Residential Award (Waterfall House)
• 2021 Melbourne Design Week Award – Winner (A New Normal){{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Dana Tomić |date=2021-04-21 |title=A Deep Dive into Melbourne Design Week 2021 Highlights. |url=https://www.yellowtrace.com.au/melbourne-design-week-2021-highlights-deep-dive-australian-design/ |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Yellowtrace |language=en-US}}
• 2022 National Architecture Awards – Award for Residential Architecture – Houses Alterations & Additions (Stable & Cart House){{Cite web |title=2022 National Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) |url=https://architectureau.com/articles/2022-national-award-for-residential-architecture-houses-alterations-and-additions-2/}}
• 2022 Victorian Architecture Awards – Award for Residential Architecture – Houses Alterations & Additions (Stable & Cart House){{Cite web |title=2022 Victorian Architecture Awards Winners |url=https://www.architecture.com.au/awards/2022-awards/2022-victorian-architecture-awards-winners |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Australian Institute of Architects |language=en-AU}}
• 2022 Victorian Architecture Awards – Commendation for Heritage – Creative Adaptation (Stable & Cart House){{Cite web |title=2022 Victorian Architecture Awards winners showcase culturally inclusive, community-centric design |url=https://www.architecture.com.au/archives/news_media_articles/2022-victorian-architecture-awards-winners-showcase-culturally-inclusive-community-centric-design |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Australian Institute of Architects |language=en-AU}}
• 2022 Victorian Architecture Awards – Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses New (Esplanade House)
• 2022 Australian Interior Design Awards – Winner – Premier Award for Australian Interior Design (Stable & Cart House){{Cite web |title=Invention and innovation: The winners of the 2022 Australian Interior Design Awards |url=https://architectureau.com/articles/the-winners-of-the-2022-australian-interior-design-awards/#:~:text=The%20jury%20unanimously%20agreed%20that,makes%20good%20interior%20design%20tick.}}
• 2022 Australian Interior Design Awards – Winner – Best of State Residential Design (Stable & Cart House){{Cite web |title=2022 Australian Interior Design Awards: Best of State and Best International |url=https://architectureau.com/articles/2022-australian-interior-design-awards-best-of-state/}}
• 2022 Australian Interior Design Awards – Winner – Residential Design (Stable & Cart House){{Cite web |title=Invention and innovation: The winners of the 2022 Australian Interior Design Awards |url=https://architectureau.com/articles/the-winners-of-the-2022-australian-interior-design-awards/}}
• 2023 Victorian Architecture Awards – Dimity Reed Melbourne Prize (Nightingale Village){{Cite web |last=Walton |first=Natalie |title=architect clare cousins |url=http://www.dailyimprint.net/2010/10/architect-clare-cousins.html |access-date=2023-07-27}}
• 2023 Victorian Architecture Awards – Allan and Beth Coldicutt Award for Sustainable Architecture{{Cite web |title=Victoria's top architecture honours revealed: 2023 Victorian Architecture Awards |url=https://www.architecture.com.au/archives/news_media_articles/victorias-top-architecture-honours-revealed-2023-victorian-architecture-awards |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Australian Institute of Architects |language=en-AU}} (Nightingale Village)
• 2023 Victorian Architecture Awards – Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing (Nightingale Village)
• 2023 Victorian Architecture Awards – Award for Urban Design (Nightingale Village)
• 2023 Melbourne Design Awards – Gold – Better Future Environmental Sustainability (Nightingale Village){{Cite web |title=Categories – GOV Design Awards 2023 |url=https://betterfutureawards.com/GOV23/categorydetails.asp?id=13313 |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=betterfutureawards.com}}
• 2023 Melbourne Design Awards – Silver – Architecture Multi Residential Constructed (Nightingale Village)
• 2023 Australian Interior Design Awards – Commendation – Retail Design (Aesop Collins St){{Cite web |title=Retail Design |url=https://australianinteriordesignawards.com/gallery/2023/retail-design |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=australianinteriordesignawards.com |language=en}}

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|https://clarecousins.com.au/people/clare-cousins/}}

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Category:Architects from Melbourne

Category:Australian women architects