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I always come back to first principles: what are we trying to achieve, what is driving the project and what is the best we can do for the people who use it?
Sergio Petricca
Principal
I grew up around the building industry. My dad was a concreter, my uncles were carpenters and bricklayers, so buildings and the process of making them were part of my world well before I studied architecture.
As Principal of Become's Melbourne studio, my role spans design, problem solving, leadership and creating opportunities for the practice and our people. I'm a big-picture thinker and a strong space planner, and I enjoy getting to the heart of a project: understanding what matters most to the client, the particular qualities and constraints of the site, and the broader physical, social and political context.
For me, the early stages of a project should be exploratory. I like to challenge assumptions, test possibilities and establish a strong idea that the team can then develop, question and improve. The best outcomes come when people feel empowered to contribute something better.
After more than 40 years in architecture, I'm still driven by the potential of a project to delight the people who use it and contribute something worthwhile to its surroundings. Outside the studio, you'll most likely find me playing golf at Green Acres or following one of my many sporting teams—although supporting Carlton continues to test my optimism.
Registered Architect VIC 14989
Accreditations: Diploma of Architecture
Education: RMIT University