Is the sum of parts greater than the whole? | Simon Pendal

Simon Pendal is founder of Fremantle-based practice Simon Pendal Architect, and associate professor and co-chair of the Studio Programme at The University of Notre Dame. His work has been widely recognised in publications and awards – most recently winning the 2026 AA Prize for Unbuilt Work in collaboration with Whadjuk Balardong Elder Robyn Collard. The winning project, titled “Walyalup/Fremantle – What If,” introduces town planning incentives to encourage the opening-up of Country via a network of green archipelagos. This project highlights that, when designing to restore environment and culture in cities, there is a need for thinking at both a micro and macro scale – where big ideas require thousands of smaller acts.  In our first episode for 2026, we’ve invited Simon to talk to the value of smaller projects and how their collective contribution to city-making changes the way we live.     Further reading: In profile: Simon Pendal Architect architectureau.com/articles/In-Profile-Simon-Pendal-Architect Architecture as functional sculpture: Beaconsfield House architectureau.com/articles/beaconsfield-house Meet the owners of Beaconsfield House architectureau.com/articles/meet-the-owners-of-beaconsfield-house South Perth House by Simon Pendal Architect architectureau.com/articles/South-Perth-House-by-Simon-Pendal-Architect North Perth House by Simon Pendal Architect architectureau.com/articles/north-perth-house-by-simon-pendal Carine House architectureau.com/articles/carine-house