Dr Simon Pendal

Senior Lecturer
FRAIA, PhD (RMIT), B.Arch (Hons) (Curtin)

Email: simon.pendal@nd.edu.au
Phone: 9433 0237

  • Biography

    Dr Simon Pendal has over 25 years of experience in teaching and practicing architecture. Graduating with Honours in 1994 he obtained a practice-based PhD via the ‘invitational’ stream at RMIT in 2016 and has been principal of Simon Pendal Architect, a small research-based practice, since 2005. Simon is a former Chair of Architectural Design at Curtin University where he taught in various roles from 1993 to 2018 and has been a Registered Architect in Western Australia since 2002.

    SPA are suburban architects working principally on projects which are small, intimate and finely wrought. In these works, much is made of the interior allowing the occupant to nestle within the dry landscapes of Perth’s sandy coastal plain or retreat from its oppressive heat and relentless white light, which comes from all directions. This work has been widely published, exhibited and awarded at a state, national and international level – most recently receiving a (top 6) Commendation in the AR House Awards via The Architectural Review in London, the 2021 National AIA Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award For Residential Architecture - Houses, the 2018 National Dulux Colour Award for the North Perth Townhouse and the 2018 National AIA Architecture Award for the Cottesloe Lobby and Landscape.

    Simon operates on the basis that scholarship should be brought to bear in both professional and educational settings.  Simon’s current preoccupations are with the pre and post 1788 landscapes of Australia (particularly south-western Australia) and has an interest in land care – each are seen to possess deep time roots for further investigation both from within the confines of the practice and the teaching studio – that from this base a future, regenerative suburbia may emerge.  As an educator Simon’s interests lie in assisting students to develop their own sense of authorship, grounded in their individual Spatial Histories, and carefully connected to their site and broad landscapes.

    Simon is a contributing writer to Architecture Australia and The Architect and regular juror in the Australian Institute of Architects Awards programmes.

  • Teaching areas

    • Architectural Design
    • Site Specific Works
    • Non-traditional practice-based research

  • HDR and honours supervision

    Supervised 14 Masters research projects Notre Dame 2020-2021.
    Supervised over 50 Masters and Honours research projects Curtin University 2005-2018.

  • Research interests and current projects

    Non-traditional practice-based research.


    St Thomas More Columbarium, Bateman WA.
    Apartment Interior, Cottesloe WA
    Private House, North Perth, WA
    Private House, South Perth, WA
    Private House, Peppermint Grove, WA.

  • Creative practice outputs

    • 2020 City Beach House.
    • 2019 Beaconsfield House.
    • 2019 Cottesloe Lobby and Landscape.
    • 2019 Flood | Light.  Simon Pendal with Katherine Ashe and Marco Vittino.
    • 2019 Moordoorup (Indianna Tea Rooms).  Simon Pendal with Neeson Murcutt Neille and Sue Barnsley Design.
    • 2017 Vessel.  Papermountain Gallery.  Co-exhibitors Dr Shannon Lyons and Dr Robyn Creagh.
    • 2018 North Perth Townhouse.
    • 2015 DC Cruickshank Reserve Masterplan, City of Nedlands. Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
    • 2015 MONA Heavy Metals Lab- Invited participant in national short-list competition.  Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
    • 2014 Carine Residence, Carine. Stephen Neille and Simon Pendal.
    • 2013 Kings Square Competition, Fremantle, WA.  Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
    • 2010 Claremont Residence A+A, Claremont. Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
    • 2010 ‘What If’ Parliamentary Precinct Conceptual Masterplan, City of Perth. Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
    • 2008 Fremantle House.  Simon Pendal and Rebecca Angus.
    • 2008 House for a Father and Son, Venice Architecture Binnale 2008, Invited Participant.
    • 2008 About Face 2008, ‘Space & Light’ Invited National Competition. Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
    • 2007 Parliament House Forecourt and Fountain Redevelopment. Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
      2007 ‘Proposition 6707’ Eco Lodge, Cape Range National Park, Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.

  • Community and industry engagement

    • 2022 Chair of Juries, AIA National Awards Programme, WA Chapter
    • 2021 Awarded ‘Fellow’ of the RAIA.
    • 2020 AIA Jury Member Residential Alterations and Additions
    • 2016 AIA Jury Member Residential Alterations and Additions
    • 2012 Chair of jury 2012 AIA Sir John Septimus Roe Award for Urban Design
    • 2011 AACA National Examination Scenario writer
    • 2010 Master of Ceremonies for the (AAAA) Achievement in Architecture Awards Australia, State Theatre Centre, Perth, WA
    • 2010 Chair of jury 2010 AIA Iwan Iwanoff Award for Small Project Architecture
    • 2009 Chair of 2009 RAIA Sustainable Architecture Award Jury

  • Book chapters

    • 2019  Pendal, S. ‘Council House’ in Hannah Lewi and Philip Goad (eds) Australia Modern: Architecture, Landscape and Design 1925-1975, Thames & Hudson, Port Melbourne, (forthcoming 2019).
    • 2017  Book Chapter - The Apartment House – Thames and Hudson, North Perth Townhouse, 2017, p-134-141, ISBN 9780500501047.
    • 2016  Campo Baeza, A. 2016‘Thinking, Teaching, Building: The Architecture of Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille’ in Various Architects, NYUPM, Madrid. ISBN:978-84-945209-9-0. p101-104.
    • 2015  Book Chapter- ‘Guy Grey Smith Institute’ in Ringer, R. (2015). Materiality: Brick and Block in Contemporary Australian Architecture.  Australia.  Dry Press Publishing Pty Ltd.  ISBN: 9780994165404.
    • 2011  Book Chapter p94-99. Harrison, S. 2011. Forty six square metres of land doesn’t normally become a house: Maximising Living Space, Australia and New Zealand. Thames and Hudson: Melbourne. ISBN 978-050050-029-3. (BC) – 2011. Simon Pendal and Rebecca Angus.
    • 2008  Pendal and Neille/Australia in New Trends of Architecture in Europe and Asia-Pacific 2008-2010,Gendaikakushiysu Publishers, Tokyo, Japan, 2008. (ISBN 978-4-7738-0814-8).

  • Journal articles

    • 2020 Authored Article – Thompson Street House by Nic Brunsdon – Houses Magazine, Issue 136, 2020, p34-42.
    • 2019  Authored Article – Cloister House by MORQ – The Architectural Review (UK) Issue 1463, July - Aug 2019, p 50-56.
    • 2019  Authored Article – Subiaco House by Vokes and Peters – Architecture Australia Vol. 108, No. 4, July - Aug 2019, p 84-89.
    • 2018 Co-Authored Article (with Stephen Neille) – House with A guest Room by Andrew Power -Architecture Australia Vol. 107, No.2, March/April 2018.
    • 2017 Authored Article-Architecture Australia Vol. 106 No.3, May/June 2017, Knutsford Stage 1 by Spaceagency Architects, project review, p 44-48.
    • 2015 Authored Article-Architecture Australia July/Aug 2015, Bunbury Catholic College (Mercy Campus) by CODA Studio and Broderick Architects, project review, p 32-39.
    • 2013 Authored Article-The Architect (AIA-WA) Feb 2013 Issue 1, Trade Training Centres by Armstrong Parkin, project review, p 10-13.
    • 2011 Authored Article-The Architect (AIA-WA) May Issue 1, Factory House by Simon Anderson, project review, p 7-12.

  • Professional affiliations

    • Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects (FRAIA)
    • Registered Architect, Architects Board of Western Australia (No. 1903)

  • Awards and honours

    • 2021 AR House Awards - UK - Commendation (Top 6 Internationally) - Beaconsfield House
    • 2021  National AIA Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award For Residential Architecture - Houses (Alterations and Additions)
    • 2021  AIA The Peter Overman Award For Residential Architecture - Houses (Alterations and Additions)
    • 2021  Think Brick Australia - New Entrant Award - Beaconsfield House
    • 2021  Think Brick Australia - Horbury Hunt Residential - High Commendation - Beaconsfield House
    • 2020  AA Prize for Unbuilt Work – National Shortlist (40 from 200 projects) – MONA HML
    • 2018 AIA National Architecture Award - Cottesloe Lobby & Landscape
    • 2018 AIA The Iwan Iwanoff Award for Small Project Architecture – Cottesloe Lobby & Landscape
    • 2018 National Dulux Colour Award - Multi Residential Interior – North Perth Townhouse
    • 2018 Commendation, National Houses Awards Shortlist - Apartment or Unit – North Perth Townhouse
    • 2017 AIA The Peter Overman Award for Residential Architecture – North Perth Townhouse.
    • 2016 Special Mention – Dulux Intergrain Timber Vision Awards for Residential Interior – Carine House, Stephen Neille and Simon Pendal.
    • 2015 AIA Commendation (WA Chapter) for Residential Architecture, A+A - Carine House, Stephen Neille and Simon Pendal.
    • 2015 Curtin University, Faculty of Humanities, Major Creative Work of the Year – Carine House, Stephen Neille and Simon Pendal.
    • 2014 National Houses Awards Shortlist, House Alteration and Addition under 200 m², Carine House, Stephen Neille and Simon Pendal.
    • 2014 AIA Commendation (WA Chapter) for Interior Architecture- Carine House, Stephen Neille and Simon Pendal.
    • 2013 AIA Architecture Award (WA Chapter) for Residential Architecture Alterations + Additions- Claremont House, Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
    • 2012 ‘People’s Choice’ award, City of Fremantle Amendment 49 Design Charette, Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
    • 2011 AIA Architecture Award (WA Chapter) for Urban Design- Parliament House Fountains and Forecourt Redevelopment, Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
    • 2009 ‘Commendation’ in the premiere international award for emerging architecture ‘AR Awards for Emerging Architecture’ based in London, UK and affiliated with the RIBA and Architectural Review, Simon Pendal and Rebecca Angus.
    • 2008 RAIA National Commendation- Small Project Architecture- Fremantle House, Simon Pendal and Rebecca Angus.
    • 2008 Think Brick Australia – 2008 About Face Award, National Research Competition, First Prize. Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
    • 2008 Think Brick Australia – National Research Competition, Peer Voted Award, First Prize. Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
    • 2008 RAIA (WA) ‘Small Project’ Architecture Award- Fremantle House, Simon Pendal and Rebecca Angus.
    • 2008 RAIA (WA) Mondoluce Lighting Commendation- Fremantle House, Simon Pendal and Rebecca Angus.
    • 1999 Shortlisted entry, Salford Urban Design Competition, England, Simon Pendal, Rebecca Angus and Steve Newman.

  • Exhibitions

    • 2021 RMIT Practice Research Symposium, 22nd October.
    • 2021 Invited participant - Oslo Urban Week and ‘London On’ Symposium, 7th September.
    • 2021 Invited Participant - The Architecture Symposium Australia: Small.  13 October.
    • 2021 Guest Speaker – Design Matters series by Perth Open House, July 2021.
    • 2018 National Dulux Colour Awards Exhibition – National Gallery of Victoria – North Perth Townhouse
    • 2017 Moments of Place Exhibition – ‘Vessel’ – Papermountain Gallery, Perth. Participant in a group exhibition with Robyn Creagh and Shannon Lyons.
    • 2016 PhD Examination Exhibition, Design Hub, RMIT Melbourne.
    • 2015 National Shortlisted Entries – Heavy Metals Laboratory – MONA Hobart, Tasmania.  Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille
    • 2014 ‘Reverberations’ : TRACE – Architectural Musings, Mundaring Arts Centre, participant in Group Exhibition, Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille
    • 2013 Invited Participant, ‘Affirmative Architecture Exhibition’, Design Research Institute RMIT Design Hub, Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille
    • 2013 X-Field Archive Exhibition, The Compound Interest Gallery, Melbourne Vic.  Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
    • 2012 Invited Participant, ‘Unbuilt Perth’, Cullity Gallery, University of Western Australia. Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
    • 2011 Convenor and Participant (with Dr Martyn Hook-RMIT and Dr Stephen Neille- Curtin) of Affirmative Architecture Symposium and Exhibition, Perth WA.
    • 2011 ‘Life in the suburbs’ Invited participant Union of International Architects International Exhibition and Conference, Tokyo (MCW) – 2011. Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
    • 2010 Structuring Perception- Current work by Pendal and Neille, Access Gallery, Curtin University of Techology (Individual Exhibition).  Stephen Neille and Simon Pendal.
    • 2009 RAIA Architecture Week 2008 Venice Bienalle exhibition, Cullity Gallery UWA, Perth.
    • 2008-11 Pendal and Neille/Australia in New Trends of Architecture in Europe and Asia-Pacific 2008-2010, Art Front Gallery - Hillside Forum, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan, December 2 – 21, 2008.  Other venues exhibited- Niigata, Japan.  Istanbul, Turkey.  Lisbon, Portugal. (GroupExhibition) – 208-11. Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
    • 2008 ‘Space and Light’ ‘About Face – 2008’ selected Western Australian Representitive, MCA Sydney (Group Exhibition) 2008.  Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille.
    • 2008 Australian Pavilion 11th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia, 14 – 23 November.
    • 2008 Perth International Arts Festival- ‘Architects Project’ Participant, Group Exhibition.
    • 2000 Big Journey/Small Buildings: inhabiting a drawn out landscape, John Curtin Gallery and Habitus 2000 International Conference, Perth.  Goldfields Arts Centre Gallery, 3 - 26 August 2001. Curated by Stephen Neille and Stephen Parkin.
    • 1999 Shortlised entries, Salford Urban Design Competition, England

  • In the media

    • 2021 The Architectural Review, London, ISSUE 1487 December 2021 / January 2022 – Beaconsfield House
    • 2021 Journal of Civic Architecture Issue 8, London – Beaconsfield House
    • 2021 Australian Newspaper, Wish Magazine November – Beaconsfield House
    • 2021 Fabric Quarterly Issue 12, Project Feature and Front Cover – Beaconsfield House
    • 2021 Houses, Issue No.138, February 2021, p38-47 – Beaconsfield House.
    • 2021 Authored Article – Practice Review of Officer Woods – Houses Magazine, Issue 141, 2021, p111-121.
    • 2021 Fremantle Gazette, Thursday 17th June, 2021, p23. – Beaconsfield House.
    • 2020 Authored Article – Thompson Street House by Nic Brunsdon – Houses Magazine, Issue 136, 2020, p34-42.
    • 2020 Architecture Australia, July / August 2020 Issue, ‘The Small Issue’, pp 72-77 – Project Feature and review Cottesloe Lobby and Landscape.
    • 2020 Gusheh, M. ‘Small: Virtue in Containment’ in Cameron Bruhn (ed) MMXX: Two Decades of Architecture in Australia 2020, Thames & Hudson, London.
    • 2019 Indianna Tea Rooms
      https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-03/new-cottesloe-beach-designs-championed-by-andrew-forrest/11273588
      https://worldarchitecture.org/article-links/ecgcm/architects-propose-sandyformed-stone-agelooking-designs-for-cottesloe-beach-pavilion-in-australia.html ,
      https://www.archdaily.com/920830/four-finalists-selected-for-cottesloe-beach-pavilion-in-australia
      https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/architects-shortlisted-revamp-cottesloe-beach
      https://www.pressreader.com/australia/the-sunday-times-9029/20190623/283802855252077
    • 2019 The Architect (AIA-WA), Spring/Summer Issue 2019 p41- Cottesloe Lobby & Landscape.
    • 2019 Authored Article – Cloister House by MORQ – The Architectural Review (UK) Issue 1463, July - Aug 2019, p 50-56.
    • 2019 Authored Article – Subiaco House by Vokes and Peters – Architecture Australia Vol. 108, No. 4, July - Aug 2019, p 84-89.
    • 2018 Cottesloe Lobby & Landscape - Architecture Australia Vol. 107 No. 6, Nov/Dec 2018. – 2018
    • 2018 Cottesloe Lobby & Landscape – WISH magazine in ‘The Australian’, November 2018.
    • 2018 Co-Authored Article (with Stephen Neille) – House with A guest Room by Andrew Power - Architecture Australia Vol. 107, No.2, March/April 2018. - 2018
    • 2018 Fremantle House 13 Years on- Issue 121 Houses Magazine, March 2018, p 79-83.
    • 2018 West Australian Newspaper, Streetwise Column No 71, February 2018, Regenerative Landscapes
    • 2017 Book Chapter - The Apartment House – Thames and Hudson, North Perth Townhouse, 2017, p-134-141, ISBN 9780500501047 - 2018
    • 2017 Authored Article- Architecture Australia Vol. 106 No.3, May/June 2017, Knutsford Stage 1 by Spaceagency Architects, project review, p 44-48.
    • 2017 The Architect (AIA-WA), March 2017, Issue Autumn/Winter, 2017 p64-67- North Perth Townhouse
    • 2017 Houses, Issue No.114, February 2017, p62-67 – North Perth Townhouse
    • 2017 West Australian Newspaper, Streetwise Column No 62, February 2017, Perth’s Mental Space
    • 2016 Campo Baeza, A. 2016 ‘Thinking, Teaching, Building: The Architecture of Simon Pendal and Stephen Neille’ in Various Architects, NYUPM, Madrid.  ISBN:978-84-945209-9-0. p101-104.
    • 2016 Authored Article- Folio Issue-1, Applecross House by Iredale Pedersen Hook, project review, Pages 22-31.
    • 2016 Mezzanine Magazine, Issue 3, March 2016, p60-63 ‘Profile – Simon Pendal Architect’
    • 2016 Scoop Homes and Art Magazine, Summer 2016, p106-118 - Carine House ‘In Focus-4 Renovate or Detonate?’
    • 2015 Authored Article- Architecture Australia July/Aug 2015, Bunbury Catholic College (Mercy Campus) by CODA Studio and Broderick Architects, project review, p 32-39.
    • 2015 Book Chapter- ‘Guy Grey Smith Institute’ in Ringer, R. (2015). Materiality: Brick and Block in Contemporary Australian Architecture.  Australia.  Dry Press Publishing Pty Ltd.  ISBN: 9780994165404.
    • 2015 West Australian Newspaper, Streetwise Column No 51, October 2015, Small City Projects
    • 2015 Project Feature- Carine House in Sydney Morning Herald 14.8.15 by Jenny Brown, http://www.domain.com.au/news/amazing-design-interior-of-80s-house-transformed-20150813-giu4g1/
    • 2014 Houses, Issue No.98, June 2014, p110-115 – Carine House
    • 2014 Houses, Issue No.96, January 2014, p74-80 - Claremont House
    • 2014  Indesign, Issue No. 59, 2014, p142-147 – Fremantle Houses
    • 2013 West Australian Newspaper, Streetwise Column No 31, November 2013, MANY as model
    • 2013 West Australian Newspaper, Streetwise Column No 30, October 2013, Enlightened Patronage
    • 2013 The Architect (AIA-WA), July 2013, Issue 2, 2013 Awards Issue, p37- Claremont House
    • 2013 West Australian Newspaper, Streetwise Column No 23, March 2013, Council House
    • 2013 Scoop Homes and Art Magazine, Winter 2013, p158-164- Claremont House
    • 2013 Authored Article- The Architect (AIA-WA) Feb 2013 Issue 1, Trade Training Centres by Armstrong Parkin, project review, p 10-13.
    • 2012 West Australian Newspaper, Streetwise Column No 11, February 2012, City Landscapes
    • 2011 Book Chapter p94-99. Harrison, S. 2011. Forty six square metres of land doesn’t normally become a house: Maximising Living Space, Australia and New Zealand.  Thames and Hudson: Melbourne.  ISBN 978-050050-029-3.
    • 2011 Inspire, Australian National Architecture Awards 2011, Parliament House Fountains and Forecourt Redevelopment, P25, Reveal Books, Canberra, ISBN 978-0-9806123-4-9
    • 2011 West Australian Newspaper, Streetwise Column No 1, March 2011, City over CBD
    • 2011 Co-Author/Editor- Neille, S. Pendal, S. and Hook, M.  Affirmative Architecture: Second international symposium and exhibition.  Affirmative Architecture: Melbourne.  ISBN 978-0-646-56243-8. (Exhibition Catalogue)
    • 2011 Authored Article- The Architect (AIA-WA) May Issue 1, Factory House by Simon Anderson, project review, p 7-12.
    • 2010 Architecture Australia, Sept/Oct 2010- review of ‘What If’ proposal by Assoc. Prof. Nigel Westbrook. P29-31
    • 2009 AR (Australia) ‘New Trends in Architecture 2008-2010’ Issue 108
    • 2009 The Architect- March 2009, Parliament House Forecourt and Fountain Redevelopment, p32-33.
    • 2009 Insite Magazine- Autumn 2009, Fremantle House p108-112 feature article.
    • 2008 Pendal and Neille/Australia in New Trends of Architecture in Europe and Asia-Pacific 2008-2010, Gendaikakushiysu Publishers, Tokyo, Japan, 2008. (ISBN 978-4-7738-0814-8)
    • 2008 AR (Australia) October Residential Issue 107- Fremantle House, ‘Architect’s Home’ Issue, p126-133
    • 2008 Architecture Australia- Jul/Aug 2008, ‘Radar Awards’- Fremantle House p33.
    • 2008 Architecture Australia- National Awards Issue, Nov/Dec 2008 / Review- Fremantle House, p107
    • 2008 Architecture Australia, Jan/Feb 2009, Space and Light, About Face, Think Brick Australia – National Research Competition, First Prize., New and Nuance, P.12.
    • 2008 AR (Australia), Space and Light, About Face, Think Brick Australia – National Research Competition, First Prize., No.107, pp.40-47.
    • 2008 The Architect 01|08 RAIA WA State Awards Issue, p36,37,63
    • 2008 The West Australian ‘New Homes’ section- Fremantle House, 28.6.2008, p35.
    • 2008 Sunday Times ‘Home’ section- Fremantle House, 24.8.2008, p2, 30, 31.
    • 2008 The West Australian ‘New Homes’ section- Fremantle House wins National Commendation in RAIA Awards, 15.11.2008 ‘Industry News’ p6.
    • 2008  WA Today.com.au reported this project receiving a national Commendation.  The following comments were made by the Chair of the Jury and eminent Sydney-Based architect Alec Tzannes… "It is a consummate piece of work; very sophisticated" ..."It looks simple but is very elegant from a spatial point of view and is a world standard piece of design."http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/booming-wa-bombs-at-national-architect-awards-20081030-5c44.html
    • 2008 ‘House for a Father and Son’ in Abundant, Australian Pavilion 11th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia, Published by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, ACT, Australia, 2008. ISBN 978-1-86318-037-5.

  • Other

    • 2016 Australian Institute of Architects Awards Jury Member Residential Alterations and Additions.
    • 2012 Australian Institute of Architects Chair of Awards Jury.  Sir John Septimus Roe Award for Urban Design.
    • 2011 AACA National Examination Scenario writer.
    • 2010 Australian Institute of Architects Chair of Awards Jury.  Iwan Iwanoff Award for Small Project Architecture.
    • 2009 Australian Institute of Architects Chair of Awards Jury.  Sustainable Architecture Award.