March 2020

Jenny Edwards is a passionate advocate for science based sustainable design in Canberra. She is the director and resident scientist at Light House Architecture & Science [formally Jigsaw Housing] a company dedicated to helping Canberrans build more efficient, well designed and sustainable homes [and has won many awards for her contributions].

Jenny holds a Masters of Science, and in 2008 she introduced the building envelope testing techniques of thermal imaging and air leakage testing to the Canberra region. She now combines these skills with her architecture team to create “light-filled and light-footed” new homes & renovations.

We’ve been lucky enough to work with Jenny and her team from the early days with Jigsaw Housing, right through to projects in the pipeline now with Light House Architecture & Science.

TELL US WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE

I love how architecture is an integration of science, art, and people. In residential architecture so much is about the particular people you are designing for. I love getting to know our clients and helping them achieve an excellent, sustainable home that suits them. We’ve completed over 100 projects in the Canberra region now and every single one is still a buzz.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF MAKING?

I guess I'm most proud of my business. It's not a tangible thing that you can hold or touch, but it's a creation that requires care, effort, imagination and craft. A good business also needs to be designed well to be sustainable, efficient, effective and inviting, just like the homes we design! 

The other very close second, is my own Light House. I’m proud to walk the talk and to put my money where my mouth is [so to speak] to show that great houses aren’t huge and expensive. My modest little house on a little block in Wright has won three awards and has had more than 1000 people visit it on open day events during DESIGNCanberra, Solar House Day and Sustainable House Day. You can read about that here: www.lighthouseteam.com.au/modular-projects/jenny

I also write blogs and articles about how it goes during the different seasons. I love data and communicating the science of great design. For example, here’s an article about my three year long heating experiment! www.lighthouseteam.com.au/journal/a-tale-of-three-winters

JENNY’S AWARD WINNING LIGHT HOUSE:

SCIENCE OR DESIGN? [IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE]

Design. My expertise is science, but I use it to improve design. Science is a tool that informs design. I think of all designers as super-creative scientists.

When I went to uni I actually chose between architecture, engineering and science. I love that I get to live my design dreams vicariously through such a talented architecture team. 

IF YOU HAD TO WORK WITH JUST ONE MATERIAL…

I'm with you on this one. Wood is the best! I'm not a woodworking expert at all, but I love it. It's flexible, there are endless variations, and it's beautiful. Pretty much anything can be made of wood and can look great. I can't think of another material with the same versatility.

DOWNTIME IS BEST SPENT…

Walking, somewhere that's out of the built environment, preferably with trees and birds. Hanging out with my dog, Zac, and partner, David. 

Catching up with my crazy adult kids – I love the new stage of our relationship where they are largely independent grown-ups, who occasionally buy the drinks!

Visiting a local gallery or workshop; discovering more about the incredible makers of Canberra. I’ve recently joined the Board of CraftACT – I’m a passionate supporter of their work and huge fan of the DESIGNCanberra festival (I have quite a reputation for my success at the Auction Party each year!)

Not shy to admit that I’m a geek gal at heart and love a good board game too.

RECOMMEND YOUR BEST SOURCE OF INSPIRATION.

Art and architecture; science and social media. There are loads of really cool instagram accounts that are focused on design and I’m constantly being inspired by things that friends and colleagues post on various social media platforms. While social media can provide incredible visual inspiration I find its actually the person-to-person interaction (often first prompted by the visual stuff or online event promotion) that leads to the really powerful inspiration. Collaboration with others is the key.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

I love helping people achieve better homes; homes that are liveable, sustainable, cost-effective, beautiful, and affordable. Every completed project is a thrill for me. I love visiting newly built or renovated houses with our clients and experiencing with them the place they will live and grow with the most important people in their lives. It’s pretty special.

I also love my team. Everyone at Light House Architecture and Science is brilliant, we work well together, and we all believe in what we do. 

Jenny and the Light House team can be contacted at www.lighthouseteam.com.au/ where you can also view their recent projects and philosophy of science & design.

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