Cassandra Fahey

Cassandra Fahey (born c. 1972) is an Australian architect and interior designer residing in Melbourne. She is Director of the architecture firm "Cassandra Complex". She emerged in the public spotlight in 2000 because of the controversial 'Newman House', and the BHP Billiton Healesville Sanctuary "Platypusary". Her work has received a number of awards as well as being featured in many local and international publications.

Career Cassandra completed the Bachelor of Architecture at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in 1998. During her studies she traveled internationally to produce a documentary on Architects practicing at the turn of the millennium. Among these were Sir Norman Foster, Peter Eisenman, and Jean Nouvel. Whilst in New York she met Richard Serra and was influenced by his sculpture in its original setting in a converted New York City garage. The effect of this can be seen later in the design of her own house, "Chameleon".

Back in Melbourne, in her earlier career she received guidance from Tom Kovac and Edmond Corrigan Fahey was engaged in a Masters in Contemporary Art at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne.

Fahey developed a unique approach to architecture using different styles in each of her projects rather than developing a common theme. Her influences within this "no one way" approach have been "so-called nature", Emily Kame Kngwarreye and the "whole bang lot".

Notable works

Sam Newman House

Fahey was given a completely open brief for the Sam Newman House—named White Noise after Robert Venturis Term 'Billboard Façade' —in St. Kilda West, Melbourne. It features Cassandra's 9 m by 8 m façade design comprising patterned glass and contains a Pamela Anderson mural, with a garage door opening at her mouth. Post-modernism co-habits seamlessly with minimalism. The design of the house's exterior was controversial however, encountering objections and incorrect planning applications. It became known as the house that Melburnians love to hate. Its façade comprises gold panels with inscribed leaf shapes and encloses a ponds of water running like a native creek. The movement of the water through the pools provides different refractions cast upon the gold panels, reiterating the constant connection and reflection.

Smith Great Aussie Home

The Smith Great Aussie Home was designed for the self-made businessman Darren Smith. The $1.6 million "trophy home"

New Gold Mountain Bar Designed by Fahey in 2003, New Gold Mountain is a bar located in Melbourne's CBD. Fahey's concept surrounds an old tailors studio on the outskirts of the city's Chinatown district with a space replicating the unique theme of an opium den. Distorted images of opium smokers form repeated patterns, wallpapering the walls and soft furnishings. Upstairs tantric red wallpaper and sectioned caverns create a strong mood for conversation and company. There are glistening beads, pink opium moments and multi coloured skirts hanging from the ceiling.

Other notable works

Husk Boutique, Melbourne, CBD Crowning Glory, Monash Museum of Art Chameleon warehouse conversion, North Melbourne Josh Abrahams House, Brighton A bathroom for Jonathan Mills Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Russell Street, Melbourne Breamlea House Menorah House, Hawthorn (unbuilt)

Awards

2007 Bulletin Smart 100 – Best Australian Designer 2007 2007 Marion Mahony Interior Architecture Award – New Gold Mountain, Melbourne 2007 Residential Architecture – Houses Award – The Smith Great Aussie Home, Blackrock 2006 Institutional Architecture Award – BHP Billiton Platypussary, Victoria 2006 Commercial Architecture Award – HUSK Collins Street, Melbourne 2006 Dulux Color Awards – Chameleon (Warehouse conversion), North Melbourne 2004 Residential Architecture Award – Chameleon, North Melbourne 2004 The Interior Award – National Award – Chameleon, North Melbourne 2004 IDA Interior Design Awards – Chameleon, Refurbished Residential Interior 2003 Residential Architecture Award – Sam Newman House, St. Kilda