Stewart HANDASYDE

After graduating as an Agricultural Scientist in 1973, Stewart’s early work revolved around land use studies and catchment planning & management for the Soil Conservation Authority.
But, after returning home in 1977 from an aborted Environmental Science course in the UK, he presented at Caulfield Tech to enrol in Fine Arts … only to be talked out of this by the senior lecturer.
Architecture was a logical replacement and RMIT was willing to accept enthusiastic people embarking on a second career.
What then followed was a 40+ year adventure in the world of architecture. Professionally the work was demanding with long hours and the occasional gem of a project.
Successes included a range of regional aquatic centres (in particular Ballarat, Doncaster, Ararat, Northcote & Bairnsdale), the Training Velodrome for the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the TAC Offices relocated in Geelong. The TAC project won the RAIA Award for best Commercial Building (shared) in 2009.
Towards the end of his career projects included significant Defence work, a number of multi-storey apartment developments and a leap into the exciting new field of Modular Construction.
But that finished with retirement in 2017 and the opportunity to finally progress an interest in fine art … an interest that was put on hold in 1977.