Oliver Du Puy (OM 2002)
“Architecture is the stage on which we live our lives.” Architect Oliver Du Puy (OM 2002) says.
“Science defines what is mathematically possible – how a building stands, performs, and endures. Art responds by asking what is meaningful and beautiful.”
During his time at Melbourne Grammar School, Oliver had a dual interest in science and art. These interests, and an intersection between the two, led Oliver to a career in architecture, where he is now in his 10th year of running his own practice.
After completing respective bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture at the University of Melbourne, Oliver went on to postgraduate study at Cambridge, and from there deepened his knowledge at London’s esteemed Architectural Association School of Architecture.
Projects with several international firms followed in London, Paris, and Tokyo.
“Living in Tokyo, a city full of intensity, ritual, and creativity, influenced me deeply,” he says.
Now working across Sydney and Melbourne, where space is increasingly limited, Oliver continues to enjoy the challenge of working with passionate clients to push the boundaries of what’s architecturally possible from a structural, planning, and design perspective.
For Oliver, understanding the sensorial impact and interplay of light, proportion, materiality, context, and composition are foundational skills that in many ways have their roots in his time at School.
Thinking back to his time in the Art classroom, Oliver remembers the passion of his teachers, and enjoying “the curious dialogue around design, the art history component, and the actual art practice – experimenting with different mediums.”
On the flip side, Oliver also recalls enjoying the disciplines of maths and literature.
“I guess that that’s the skill of an architect, you have to be a bit of a generalist,” he says.
A keen interest in geography also helped carve Oliver’s path to architecture. He recalls memorising street names and maps before travelling overseas to new cities with family or School.
“It’s a cliché, but I do recommend seeking adventure, getting out of one’s comfort zone, and stepping outside familiar routines. Even something as simple as a morning commute or walk in a new city offers insight into how people inhabit space,” he says.
“It’s this kind of immersion that cultivates empathy and expands one’s perspective.”
Reflecting on the concept of ‘good design’, Oliver acutely understands the human, emotional element that sits at the heart of his practice.
“Good design matters because it shapes how we feel, and how we connect to each other and our environment,” he says.
“It can make us healthier, calmer, and more present in our daily lives.”