Evan is a Director with over 20 years of experience in interior and architectural design. Evan studied sculpture, 3D design and, later, interior design, before working for several renowned studios, including Bates Smart and Geyer.  He has led numerous award-winning projects of varying scope and complexity, from local wine bars and boutique hotels to large scale workplace, for clients including Curtin University, Nike  and Woodside.

Evan then travelled to work within a number of prestigious studios in London, Dublin, Singapore and Melbourne before deciding to start Design Theory with his wife Lisa in 2013. Together they combined this experience of large-firm know-how with a specialist focus to create what is now one of WA’s pre-immanent, award-winning design practices.

Lisa is a Director with over 20 years of experience in interior design and art consultancy, having worked with prominent gallery owners, artists and designers before starting Design Theory with her husband Evan. She has envisioned and led projects across a range of industries, scopes and complexities—from local wine bars to luxury hotels.

Her background in both design and art has fostered a deep appreciation for the theory of aesthetics—of colours, textures, and how elements worked together for the desired effect. Such an appreciation has led to an interest in creating original concepts that solve big problems at scale, as well as an eye for the finer details, which harness the talent of craftspeople and artists.

Since starting Design Theory in 2013, she and Evan have grown the studio into one of WA’s pre-eminent, award-winning design practices. 

Daniella is an interior designer and architect with over eight years experience that span a range of sectors and scopes, from hotels such as  Intercontinental and Hilton, to workplace and retail. After graduating from University of Western Australia in 2013, Daniella became a registered architect in 2019.

She was a co-coordinator for the international architecture exhibition Venezia Biennale d’Architettura in 2014 and worked as a graduate architect at the global architect studio Woods Bagot where she was given the opportunity to work on a number of international projects of considerable scope.

Daniella‘s experience in both architecture and interior design gives comprehensive insight into the design process and, since joining the Design Theory team, has been a lead designer for projects like the Boston Brewery in Victoria Park and FOMO Fremantle.

CLIENT

Our client was looking to redefine the outdated high street of their property Waterford Plaza, into a hospitality precinct. We worked, as building designer, lead consultant and contract administrator, on this award-winning project.  Our scope included the full re-design and delivery across the high street precinct entries, shopfronts, creation of new alfresco areas, custom-designed public seating and shade structures, as well as lighting, open spaces and public art (with Art Theory).

CHALLENGE

The challenge of the project was the delivery of multifaceted work within a trading, busy civic environment. There were many moving parts – intricate services, large scale upgrades, a complex public space and varied deliverables – that all required execution and consideration to be in harmony with one another.

DESIGN

Our design aligned with the site’s full rebrand and renaming from Waterford Plaza to Village Green, with our intention being to retain those current users of the precinct, as well as engage new clientele. The brief was to create an appealing place where patrons wanted to shop, linger, enjoy a meal out with friends and or meet others.

Key additions have been the introduction of; dynamic social alfresco areas, a layered palette of textures & colours, natural greenery to enhance the previously grey surroundings and welcoming precinct entries and facades to improve appearance and functionality.

A vibrant public art collection sits alongside the built form, developed in collaboration with our sister studio, Art Theory, and includes sculpture, mural and lightworks, all thoughtful site responsive commissions, inspired by locality and community.

OUTCOME

Village Green has experienced a stunning transformation, its new lease on life had delivered an enthusiastic increase in new tenants and patron numbers, and re-imbedded the centre as a key hub for the immediate and surrounding suburbs.