With more than 35 years experience as an architect, Neil Cownie has reached an enviable point in his career. In 2009, he established his own firm so he could focus on projects that bring him – and his clients – delight and joy.

Neil weaves together various influences – researching sustainable solutions, referencing the environment and site conditions; drawing inspiration from historical precedents and the latest innovations; a deep understanding of how people and spaces function; and his love of textural materials and hand crafted elements – to create residential, commercial and hospitality spaces that can be experienced through all five senses.

From large-scale master-planning down to the intricate details that elevate each project beyond the everyday, Neil brings wisdom and experience to his practice. He maintains close connections with his clients throughout the life of each project, to ensure the final outcome exceeds their expectations while remaining within budget.

In the earlier part of his career, Neil worked as a director at a major Perth firm, where he was responsible for a range of project types including houses, interiors, multi-unit residences, commercial buildings, hospitality and mixed use developments, many of them award-winning.

Now, he combines his passion for design in all its forms – architecture, landscape, furniture, lighting and objects – with his clients’ aspirations to realise their dreams in built form, always aiming to create timeless buildings that will endure.


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Acknowledgement of Country

Professional Affiliations

  • Registered with the Architects Board of Western Australia (A.B.W.A.) (1599)
  • Fellow and A+ member of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (F.R.A.I.A.) (13812)
  • Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia (D.I.A) (10189)
  • Affiliate Member of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects WA
  • Member of the Timber Research & Development Association

Professional Advisory Panels

  • Board member of the Architects Board of Western Australia, 2015 – 2021.
  • Architects Board of WA CPD Committee member, 2017 – ongoing.
  • Design Institute of Australia WA Committee Member, 2017 – 2019.
  • Design Institute of Australia Member, 2015 – ongoing.
  • Ngala Building Advisory Committee Member, 2018 – current.
  • Town of Cambridge Design Review Panel Deputy Member, 2019 – 2021.
  • East Perth Redevelopment Authority ‘Development Control Architecture Panel’, 2004 – 2012.
  • Subiaco Redevelopment Authority ‘Development Control Architecture Panel’, 2004 – 2012.
  • Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority ‘Architectural Design Review Services Panel’, 2012 – 2015.

Teaching

  • Curtin University School of Design – Sessional Academic Staff, 2019 – ongoing.
  • Curtin University School of Design Online – Sessional Academic Staff, 2019 – ongoing.

Architectural Jury Member

2022

  • Design Institute of Australia Awards – National Juror.

2021

  • A.I.A. Interior Design Category Chair

2020

  • A.I.A. Interior Architecture Category – Chair.
  • ABWA Curtin University Graduate Award – Juror.

2019

  • ABWA Curtin University Graduate Award – Juror.

2018

  • ‘Super Studio’ – Architecture Student Competition – Juror.
  • A.I.A. WA Alterations and Additions Category – Chair.
  • ABWA Curtin University Graduate Award – Juror.
  • DIAWA Graduate of the Year Awards (GOTYA) – Juror.

2017

  • ‘Super Studio’ – Architecture Student Competition – Juror.
  • A.I.A. WA Multi-residential Design Category – Chair.
  • D.I.A. WA ‘Best in State’ Award – Juror.
  • ABWA ‘Board Award for UWA Graduate’ – Juror.

2015

  • A.I.A. WA Sustainable Design Category – Juror.

2012

  • A.I.A. WA Single Residential Category – Juror.

2010

  • A.I.A. WA Single Residential Category – Juror.

2007

  • A.I.A. WA Single Residential Category – Juror.

Community Service

‘Bridging Communities’ advocating for the Swanbourne Village precinct.
Member of ‘Friends of Kings Park’.
Member of ‘Project Numbat’.
Member of ‘Friends of Lake Claremont’.

Industry Awards

2023

  • Australian Interior Design Awards ‘House Interiors’ category – Awarded Best of State
  • World Architecture Festival INSIDE Awards ‘Residential’ category – Finalist (one of 12 worldwide)
    Winners announced following a live presentation to Jurors – Singapore November 2023

2022

  • Think Brick Awards Excellence in Roof Tiles category – High Commendation
  • Arch Daily International nomination for ‘2022 Building of the Year Award’
  • Design Institute of Australia  Designers Australia Award ‘Place’ category – Award of Merit

2020

  • Build Magazine UK  2020 Best Luxury Home Architecture Firm – Western Australia

2019

  • World Architecture Festival 2019 Residential Category (presented to Jurors in Amsterdam) – Finalist
  • Dulux Colour Awards 2019 National Residential Exterior Category – Finalist
  • Concrete Institute of Australia 2019 Excellence in Concrete Awards – State Award
  • Build Magazine UK 2019 Design & Build Awards ‘Ones to Watch in Australia Award’

2018

  • World Architecture Festival ‘INSIDE’ Awards ‘Residential’ category finalist (one of 12 worldwide) – Winners announced following a live presentation to Jurors – Amsterdam November 2018.
  • R.A.I.A. WA Architecture Award ‘Residential’ category 2018 for Roscommon House.
  • R.A.I.A. WA Architecture Award ‘Interior Architecture’ category 2018 for Roscommon House.
  • R.A.I.A. WA ‘Shortlisted’ in the Lighting Award category 2018 for Roscommon House (one of five buildings).
  • Australian Timber Design Awards 2018 National Winner in the ‘Residential Interior fit-out’ category for Roscommon House.
  • Australian Timber Design Awards 2018 Finalist in the ‘Furniture / Joinery’ category 2018 for Roscommon House.
  • Australia by Design – Channel 10 TV Program ‘Best in State’ Award 2018 + ‘Runner up’ Award Nationally for Roscommon House.
  • Interior Design Awards (IDA) Honourable Mention 2018 for Roscommon House.
  • Houses Magazine Awards Shortlisted ‘Residential 200sqm + Category 2018 for Roscommon House.
  • Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) Shortlisted ‘Residential Category 2018 for Roscommon House – Winners announced November 2018.
  • Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) Shortlisted ‘Sustainability’ Category 2018 for Roscommon House – Winners announced November 2018.
  • U.D.I.A. Awards ‘Affordable Housing’ Category Finalist for Madeley Housing Sub-division 2018 (108 houses).

2017

  • D.I.A. WA Commendation Awards ‘Product Design’ category for ‘Blade Runner’ pendant light 2017.
  • D.I.A. WA Shortlisted ‘Product Design’ category for ‘Gen-Den Table’ 2017.

2016

  • DULUX DIAlogue Travel Award 2016 Winner of the Dulux Design Travel Tour to Stockholm & London in September 2016.
  • Housing Industry of Australia (H.I.A) Shortlisted finalist in the 2016 Energy Efficiency Category for New Houses.
  • D.I.A.Good Design Australia’ Awards – shortlisted finalist in Interior Category 2016
  • D.I.A.Good Design Australia’ Awards – shortlisted finalist in Residential Architecture Category 2016

2015

  • Design Institute of Australia Award (D.I.A.) – Shortlisted for the Interior Design Category 2015.
  • Design Institute of Australia Award (D.I.A) – Shortlisted for the Product Design Category 2015.

2003

  • R.A.I.A. Architectural Design Award Commendation, Interior – Cottesloe apartment building 2003
  • R.A.I.A. Architectural Design Award Commendation, Multi- residential – Shenton Park 2003.

2002

  • R.A.I.A. Architectural Design Award of Merit, Commercial – Office building – Northbridge 2002.

1999

  • R.A.I.A. Architectural Design Award Commendation, Institutional – Morley Police Station 1999.

1998

  • R.A.I.A. Architectural Design Award Commendation, Residential – Greygoose residence 1998.

1994

  • Molloy Island holiday house competition full school of architecture UWA –second prize 1984.

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