WalkNorth Architects
Walknorth is committed to the sustainability of both the built form and the landscape into which it is placed. Ass a company we believe in providing ‘healthy’ buildings trough an acknowledgement and engagement with the landscape and user needs. A synergy of building and landscape to create a hybrid form. Integrated with simple honesty of materials and detail selection. We are concerned with outcomes derived from the creative process itself, rather than as pre-conceived forms or styles. Thus each project is unique in that the specific aspects of the site, brief and users influence the end result.
The practice is based in Coffs Harbour though works on projects from South-East Qld and Byron Bay down to Newcastle and in Sydney. The company was formed in 2007 and is run by two directors, Sacha Zehnder and Jaya Param. All projects will be overseen by one of the two directors (sometimes both) ensuring continuity and quality of service. Small number of projects means more time for each project.
Sustainability is important not just in the performance of a building but also through the social relationships that it fosters. Walknorth has a strong focus on collaborative effort to achieve the best outcome for the building. To this end we have extensive ability and experience in co-ordinating and directing a team of consultants and specialists to produce a quality outcome. The practice physically builds projects and so has a good deal of experience with and understanding of materiality. We combine creative problem solving with innovative pragmatic thinking to provide a range of unique and sustainable solutions.
Sacha Zehnder
Bachelor of Architecture University of Newcastle 1st Class Honours, University Medal
BOARD OF ARCHITECTS REGISTATION; 8557
Graduated from Newcastle University 1999 with a Bachelor of Architecture (1st class honours) and the university medal. Sacha spent 7 years working with well known Australian Architect and landscape Architect- Stutchbury and Pape. Her skill, highly regarded by all who associate with her, of maintaining the strong conceptual language throughout the building development, was also highly valued by Peter. After this experience she established Walknorth with Jaya Param, after previously collaborating on a number of projects. She is always liked by her clients, for her honesty, sensitivity and her consistency of approach.
She firmly believes the health of the occupants and the landscape is paramount, when creating architecture. An obsession with nature, and how one can integrate natural materials into our buildings, so the house becomes living, is her passion. Experimentation of art, through sketching and mixed media helps to inform a strong conceptual approach to siting and integration in the landscape. The reading of the landscape, with its’ textures and natural patina informs her approach.
Jaya Param
Bachelor of Architecture University of Newcastle 1st Class Honours, University Medal
BOARD OF ARCHITECTS REGISTATION; 8555
Graduated from Newcastle University 1999 with a Bachelor of Architecture (1st class honours) and a design prize for his final presentation. Proceeded to spend the next 18months building two houses after a stint at a small regional architectural practice. His love of the building site has never left him and he has found himself building other houses and other projects throughout his working career.
Worked with Sue Harper Architects, a two-person architectural practice focused on environmentally sensitive residential projects and indigenous community housing in collaboration with ‘Health Habitat’. Has experience working as a landscape designer and extensive experience in project management. A love of creative writing and story-telling helps in informing his conceptual architectural approach. Being an open-minded person, he was always was more a generalist than highly specialized. Exploring new topics, combining various disciplines and project-based working are his passions.