Suzanne Hunt Architect

Known for her down-to-earth approach and wide-ranging professional and life experiences, Principal Architect Suzie Hunt has a warm and engaging manner that manifests in the buildings and spaces she designs.

In 2005, as a mum of four young children I established Suzanne Hunt Architect; with fellow architect, mum and now, Associate Catherine Lee. With a couple of computers and a desk in my bedroom, I had a dream of delivering beautiful architecture differently.

My 20 years of experience working in the UK and Australia; in large, small, government and private practices on a range of projects; had highlighted the need for a more personalised, flexible, enjoyable, client-focussed, approach to the delivery of great architecture and design.

Several years have passed and I am proud to say we are still focused on our clients enjoying their creative journey. It is a delight and privilege to walk alongside our clients providing personalised advice for the duration of their project.

Working with our in-house collaborative design team, our trusted external consultants and professional builders all of whom are selected for their expertise for each project, Catherine and I nurture our clients’ dreams to make them a reality.

Taking on a limited number of projects ensures we have the time to really listen and get to know our clients; and develop considered, holistic design solutions that are fully resolved and documented, financially viable and environmentally sustainable for the long term.

Read an interview with Suzie talking about the process of designing a home.

Our multi-awarded project portfolio has grown but our biggest advocates are still our clients. From humble beginnings, our office accommodation has thankfully improved but our philosophy of delivering beautifully-detailed, sustainable architecture, better, is still the ethos and driving force of Suzanne Hunt Architect.

Qualifications, Registration and Memberships

Suzie Hunt graduated from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) in 1986. She was awarded the esteemed Cohen Medal upon graduation. Suzie is a registered architect with the Architects Board of WA, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) and a Chartered Architect of the RIBA. Suzanne Hunt Architect is an AIA A+ Practice and is a registered company with the Architects Board of WA.

Suzanne Hunt | Architects Board of WA Registration, 1993

• Suzanne Hunt | Architects Board of WA Registration, 1993 ABWA No 1600
• SHA Practice Registration | Architects Board of WA, 2005
• Suzanne Hunt | Architects Registration Board of UK, 1989
• Bachelor or Architecture (Hons) Curtin, 1986
• Bachelor of Applied Science W.A.I.T. 1984
• Fellow of Australian Institute of Architects Member, 2016
• A+ Practice Membership | Member, 2014
• Chartered Architect Royal Institute of British Architects, 1989

Leadership Roles | Boards and Committees

With over 35 years of professional experience, Suzie is a trusted advisor, recognised professional leader and non-executive Board Director. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the business of architecture; as well as running her own practice she has worked at state and local government levels, and currently sits on several executive boards.

A strong advocate for the architectural profession and equity diversity and inclusion Suzie was the first woman to be elected president of the Australian Institute of Architects WA Chapter in 2017. She established #WorkWomenWisdom for women in design which continues to run events. In 2021 Suzie won the esteemed national architecture award ‘Paula Whitman Prize for Gender Equity for her work in grassroots advocacy for women in architecture in WA.

She is an active member of the West Australian community sitting on a number of boards and committees. In her spare time, Suzie is also a presenter on Channel 10’s Australia By Design TV Show, a recognised public speaker, media commentator and columnist in local newspapers.

• Chair of the Curtin Architecture Advisory Board 2019 –
• Member of the Curtin School Design Built Environment Board 2019 –
• President of the Australian Institute of Architects WA (First Women) 2017 – 2019
• Chair of Honors Committee 2019 –
• Chair of the Peter Hunt Travel Prize Committee 2014 – 2020
• Legal Practice Complaints Committee | Deputy Community Representative (2019 – AG Appointed)
• Rottnest Island Authority Non- Executive Board Member (2010 – 2019 Governor Appointed)
• Chair Contract Works Advisory Committee 2012 – 2014
• Member Finance, Risk & Audit Committee 2015 – 2019
• City of Melville Architecture + Urban Design Advisory Panel| Member 2010 – 2016
• Inaugural Metropolitan Heritage Officer to the City of Subiaco + Town of Cottesloe 2006 – 2011
• Heritage Council Development Committee 2004 – 2006
• Curtin Architectural Students Association President 1984

Professional Portfolio | Expertise

Suzanne Hunt Architect’s designs are strongly influenced by Western Australia’s stunning landscapes, resulting in beautifully detailed timeless buildings and spaces that are fit-for-purpose, financially viable and environmentally sustainable.

State and Local Government Expertise

Suzie has experience working in both local and state government in strategy, design and advisory roles, particularly in the heritage sector. With this depth of experience, we can assist you with statutory government authority approval processes, feasibility studies and site selection in the areas of architecture, planning, heritage and urban renewals around Western Australia.

• City of Subiaco | Metropolitan Heritage Advisor, 2006 – 2011
• Town of Cottesloe | Metropolitan Heritage Advisor, 2006 – 2011
• Heritage Matters Magazine | Contributing Writer, 2006 – 2011
• Department of Justice (Prisons) | Architectural + Heritage Advisor, 2004 – 2006
• Building Management + Works | Project
• Architect Fremantle Prison, 1991 – 1996
• Building Management + Works | Project Leader Dept of Justice, 1995 – 1996

Equity Diversity + Inclusion

In parallel, to running SHA Suzie is a passionate advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the architectural profession and construction industry.

She was the first woman to be elected President of the Australian Institute of Architects WA Chapter in 2017. During her two-year term, she was an outspoken advocate for the architectural profession on all forms of media lobbying for better procurement practices, design reform, community outcomes and gender equity.

A single mother of four when she started her practice in 2005 Suzie is an experienced architect with a non-linear career. She is aware of the challenges of juggling caring roles with professional demands and is a fierce and honest advocate.

In 2017 Suzie established the grassroots networking group #WorkWomenWisdom for women in architecture from her home. The #WWW group continues to grow and has now expanded to include women in design. The relaxed gatherings have discussed Financial Literacy for Women, Mentoring and Coaching and Equity in the Workplace.

In 2019 she was invited to speak at the Transformations Conference in Melbourne discussing Grassroots Advocacy and in particular her work with Work Women Wisdom.

In 2021 Suzie was recognised for her advocacy work winning the prestigious national architectural award The Paula Whitman Prize for Leadership in Gender Equity for her advocacy work

Trusted Leader + Experienced Presenter

Known for her down-to-earth approach and wide-ranging professional and life experiences, Suzie Hunt has a warm and engaging manner that manifests in the buildings and spaces she designs and as a presenter and a speaker.

Suzie is regularly invited to sit on panels discussing gender, quota’s, diversity, flexibility, disruption, harassment in workplaces, the environment and sustainability and working with an architect.

She has been interviewed on radio, television and podcasts and invited to speak to Rotary and Zonta clubs about architecture and gender equity in construction and presented to the timber industry about Biophilic Design.

In addition, Suzie has written a regular column in The Post Property News – The Architects Brief and for The West Australian newspaper.

In 2019 she was included in the Top 50 Most Influential People in Property In WA.

Suzie loves speaking to primary and secondary school students. She gives regular career guidance talks about studying architecture to Yr 10 high school students at MLC and mentors St Mary’s Yr 10 students in her office. In 2018 she gave the mid-year Concessional Speech “Inspiration” at Curtin University to Graduands.

For over 16 years Suzie has been a regular panellist on the Community TV show Sweet and Sour not talking about architecture! In 2017 she was invited to be a presenter and judge on the MWC Productions Channel 10 Australia By Design [ABD] Architecture. Her role has expanded to include presenting on ABD Interiors and ABD Innovation series.

She would love to hear from you if you feel she is the right fit for your next event.