A note from Kieran and Emma

Leverage – a word we’ve been playing with since starting TheFulcrum.Agency.

For us, the word is inextricably linked to who we are and how we practice. Finding the point of leverage (aka the fulcrum) and creating impact through conscious action is at the heart of how we contribute to projects. We have thrown ourselves headfirst into this pursuit. Incredibly, it has been two years since we set out on this journey. Where last year was about new beginnings, this year was (supposed to be) about hitting our stride…

2020 has been about new beginnings on new beginnings and the need to think once again about how to leverage… Finding relevance in a pandemic has been a humbling experience.

We offered our services to remote communities that needed help to prepare for the possible spread of the disease. We helped design simple posters about hand washing (in Language) to a suite of guides that combined the inputs of many skilled minds who banded behind this initiative. We saw first-hand the capacity for architects and designers to collaborate and leverage our skills.

We set up our Sydney studio on March 1 ^st (great timing!) with Andrew Broffman at the helm and since then have had to find new ways to work and connect across the continent. Through our early and brief period of lockdown we found that the geographical barrier of distance could be negated, and we truly became a single office, working collectively. We have continued this way.

On our minds were our role as co-directors of the National Architecture Conference, which we had titled Leverage and was due to be held in Perth in May. Sadly, like a lot of things, it will not be going ahead due to the unforgiving circumstances thrown our way in 2020. Although it’s disappointing not to deliver, we did get a lot out of the process. We connected with so many great speakers and now have the opportunity to publish some interviews with them in Architecture Australia over the next 12 months.

Interestingly, despite its challenges, 2020 has brought us some good. In the last twelve months we’ve discovered that there are always opportunities to explore new ways of working, new ways to meet people and build relationships and find that amazing fulcrum, where our skills can leverage the best outcomes and impacts for the communities we serve.

TF.A gave us a rare opportunity to start a business with purpose and a platform to use our skills to amplify impact.

All things considered, we finish this year with a healthy dose of optimism about the next, and we wish you all the very best for the holiday season and a bright new beginning in 2021.