We design buildings and environments that embody our clients’ images and aspirations. Using an intense research process, we explore the ecological, economic, physical and experiential needs of a commission and provide something else as well: a new architecture for each new project.
Our commitment to innovative, high-quality design and the successful realisation of our clients’ individual requirements has been recognised by the architectural community.
Our design for the Edithvale Seaford Wetlands Discovery Centre for Melbourne Water showcases the comprehensive range of ecological and sustainable design skills that are integral to all our projects.
We received Victorian State Chapter awards from The Royal Australian Institute of Architects for the Victorian College of the Arts Centre for Ideas, Southbank in 2004, and for the Australian Wildlife Centre, Healesville Sanctuary in 2006 which in turn has been awarded the a Victorian State of Design, Premier's Design Award for cultural architecture.
MNA is profiled in the 2005 International Compendium of Notable Architectural Design, 10 x 10, and has participated, through invitation, in two Orleans International Design Conferences in France. We have exhibited, through invitation again, at the Venice Architecture Bienale, the Beijing Architecture Beineale and in the Homo Faber exhibition at the Museum of Victoria.
Jan’s professional and academic career in master-planning, urban design, public realm, commercial, cultural, retail and residential areas has lead to notable outcomes in projects both internationally and within Australia. His carefully developed industry relationships, broad experience, charisma and leadership skills make him natural authority and community liaison. His energy and diligence motivate those who work with him to high standards and exacting delivery on all stages of a project.
Jan has extensive cross-cultural collaborative experience, most notably with the World Architecture Workshop, an ongoing research and teaching project with academics and professionals in France, Japan, Spain, China and the United States, which focused most recently on the role of urban design in energy usage in cities. He has participated as an external examiner at Deakin University, the University of Westminster, the University of Maryland, the University of Michigan and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Jan’s interest in community arts and the public realm manifests through involvement in many public artworks and his voluntary role as the deputy chair of Gertrude Contemporary Art Spaces, a not for profit community arts organisation.
BArch(hons 1st class) RMIT 1993
Registered Architect, Victoria
Member of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects
Paul has eighteen years experience as a design architect on some of Australia’s most significant public buildings and developments, which have attracted institute and other professional awards.
Since founding Minifie Nixon in 1999, significant work he has been responsible for includes the design of the Centre for Ideas at the VCA and the Australian Wildlife Centre at Healesville Sanctuary - both award winning projects that have forged the practice’s innovative reputation. Paul has a masters degree in urban design and through this influence all of Minifie Nixon’s architectural projects exhibit strong urban qualities.
His innovative approach to architectural thinking and his acute powers of communication make him a natural leader in practice and his intellectual generosity empowers clients, peers and colleagues. Through writing he contributes to architectural books and journals and partakes annually in the RAIA awards process as a judge across a range of categories.
Paul was a founding academic at the Spatial information Architecture Laboratory at RMIT University and currently lectures and teaches locally and internationally in the fields of design, computing and communications.