Queensland State Champion - Christian Skou | Skou Architects Pty Ltd and Modular Plus Australia Pty Ltd - Managing Director/Owner

Tell us about your career to date

With more than 50 years in the industry, I have plenty to tell…. Interestingly enough my thesis in 1977 was about multilevel residential developments delivered as prefab construction, which culminated in a design proposal for an eight-storey development in Inner Copenhagen.

I came to Sydney in 1981 after being offered a job by one of the larger architectural firms at the time. I moved to Brisbane in 1988 to open the local office, which I managed as a joint managing partner until 2001 when I started my own practice.

Prefab construction based on DfMA has always been an interest of mine and in 2010 I had the opportunity to form Arkistruct, offering both design and prefab manufacturing to the industry. During the early years of this period, I took the initiative to promote the idea of a modular student accommodation development to the University of New England, which a few years later was successfully delivered.

I have since been involved in several mixed-use residential projects based on Prefab Construction, with projects in all Australian states except for Tasmania and ACT.

Four years ago, I made the conscious decision to close my architectural office and concentrate on offering development and construction management services to developers seeking advice/input into developments delivered based on MMC principles.

In January 2021, my business partner, Gary Olsen and I started a new company, Modular Plus Pty Ltd, as an alternative vehicle to my current architectural practice offering a ‘one-stop shop’ opportunity for developers. We provide project management, architectural, engineering, manufacturing, and construction services including funding options to selected developers. My architectural practice is still operational, through this I offer architectural services to Modular Plus Pty Ltd.

Career highlight

This is a difficult one as I think I have had a wonderful career in Australia with the delivery of some excellent projects. However, perhaps when I got elected to the Board of Architects in Qld. As Chair of the Education Division, I had the opportunity to create the ‘Winter School’. This was a conference running over three days culminating with the Awards Night. I ran this for seven, which then saw me being appointed to Vice President for RAIA introducing the CPD system for architects in Australia. 

The other highlight is when I got invited 6 years ago to participate in the Danish Delegation coming to Australia promoting the relationship between Australia and Denmark. The delegation was organised by the Danish Government and headed by Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, with whom I travelled for three days, promoting Danish Design and Architecture to selected Governmental and Business groups in Sydney and Melbourne. 

What inspired you to become a champion for prefabAUS? 

I have always promoted likeminded people getting together; hence I got involved in the Architects Board, which is no different to PrefabAUS, where I believe this group will be so much stronger if we could create a ‘vehicle/voice’ for the people/groups involved in MMC to join PrefabAUS. It was a great initiative to create PrefabAUS, but we need to make this group stronger and more recognisable within the industry; hence we need more members.

What is one thing you have done that was a once in a lifetime opportunity? 

I still believe that when I was approached by a large Sydney architectural company in 1980 offering me the opportunity to come to Australia to work as an architect is likely to be my lifetime opportunity.

Who is the most famous person you have met? 

The Duchess of Kent, when she opened one of my buildings, I designed for Griffith University

Your AFL team? 

I don’t follow AFL, but Football (Soccer). I have played this sport for many years in Denmark and became a Football Coach in Qld in 1990.

South Australia State Champion Dino Vrynios | Das Studio (Architecture & Design Practice) Managing Director | Esca (Tourism) Director | MDLR (Construction Consultancy) - Director

We sat down with Dino to learn a little more about him and his career…

Tell us about your career to date

Having completed my Master of Architecture in 2008, I am a registered Architect in South Australia and Victoria and worked in both large and small practice for 13 years. ​In February 2019, I joined my wife Sara Horstmann at the helm of Das Studio, following nearly seven years as an Associate at Grieve Gillett Andersen. Since joining Das, I have overseen the expansion of the practice into a team of 17. ​

In 2015, I received the Jack Hobbs McConnell Travelling Fellowship in Architecture for my submission titled Modulation. I was able to spend extensive periods of time in Victoria and travel to Asia and Europe — researching and studying the world’s best practices in Advanced Construction methodologies. ​

In addition to my work in practice, I am a fierce advocate for several professional and social causes. I served as a two-term chapter councillor of the Australian Institute of Architects and am co-founder and Creative Director of the Festival of Architecture and Design (FAD). I am also a board member of disability-led arts organisation Tutti and part of the Adelaide Economic Development Agency. I founded the event and thought leadership platform – Future Forum – and produce a podcast series titled 20:MinuteCity in partnership with City Mag.

Over the past 12 months, I have been recognised as an emerging professional and business leader in Australia. I was the recipient of the Australian Institute of Architects’ National and State Emerging Architect Award for 2021, InDaily’s 40 under 40 in 2020 and Resilient Business Leader award winner, and recipient of the Property Council's Future Leader award for SA and was a national finalist.

Key to my practice and all endeavours I contribute to, my mantra is ’make better’. I am always seeking opportunities to improve the way we live, learn, work and play!

What has been the highlight of your career?

Winning the Australian Institute of Architect’s National Emerging Architect Prize late last year is certainly my personal highlight. The achievements of my practice Das Studio over the past four years is a shared highlight with my wife and team.

What inspired you to become a champion for prefabAUS?

Further to my ‘make better’ mantra, the construction industry needs to continually improve and evolve as we address the many challenges presented by life in 2022. Modular, Prefab, DfMA are all methods I strongly believe in and see prefabAUS as a critical body to support this endeavour in creating a higher quality, more efficient and sustainable built environment.

What is one thing you have done that was a once in a lifetime opportunity?

Honestly, embarking on the creation of a business with my wife and best friend has been a truly special thing and something I am grateful for every day.

Who is the most famous person you have met?

Not sure about the most famous… but I’m a design nerd so the most impressive people I have met are Prof. Laura Lee (Architect & city shaper), Charles Landry (founder of the Creative Cities index) and Gregg Pasquarelli (Founder of SHoP Architects and designer of Barclays Centre – Home of the Brooklyn Nets)

Your AFL team?

Technically Carlton, but also Port

Tell us a fun fact about you?

I hit a six on Adelaide Oval – we lost though.