Since 1999, Kennedy Nolan has developed a reputation as a design-focused practice with a distinct approach to built form.

As practitioners, we’re dedicated to producing architecture that’s highly responsive to its context and forms a strong relationship with landscape. We pride ourselves on an innovative approach to public and residential projects. We deliver a highly responsive design sensitive to its context that incorporates sustainable design initiatives while achieving the requirements of our brief.

Our design ethos is informed by the optimistic tenets of modernism – rational, utilitarian and technologically empowered – and a positive view that the creation and arrangement of space can support and reinforce relationships – adding zest to life.

The practice also draws on the evocative power of form, colour, texture and light, as well as the resonance of shared memories, histories and landscapes.

Our approach to design draws on the handcrafted sculptural form of modernism, as evident in our projects’ highly individual nature, which transforms relationships between interior and exterior by utilising colour, light and texture.

As a practice, Kennedy Nolan is regularly recognised for design excellence through industry awards, extensive publication of our work, exhibitions, and ongoing involvement with the Architecture Schools and Institute of Architects.

Stephen Varady is an innovative and respected Australian architect, designer, writer and educator. Born in Sydney, he received a Bachelor of Architecture degree with honours from the University of New South Wales in 1987, and a Masters of Architecture degree from RMIT University in Melbourne in 2002. He is a registered architect in NSW and a member of the Australian Institute of Architects and was appointed Creative Director of 2006 RAIA National Conference.

Stephen has been a lecturer and design teacher since 1985 in architecture and design schools at Sydney University, University of NSW, UTS, Newcastle University and at RMIT University in Melbourne, and has lectured extensively around the world. Stephen is also an architecture critic, writer and photographer, with writings published in Architecture Australia, Monument, ar, inside and the Sydney Morning Herald in Australia, as well as AD and World Architecture in the UK.

Stephen has been principal of Stephen Varady Architecture since 1987.

Between 2008 and 2013 he also worked with Kann Finch, first in the UAE and then in Sydney as Senior Design Architect.

Stephen Varady is a practicing registered architect with over 30 years of experience, and is now also Director of Stephen Varady Associates, a practice for Architecture, Design, Consulting and Special Projects.

Stephen Varady has received a number of awards from the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, the Belle House of the Year Award, a number of Dulux Colour Awards including the 2006 Dulux Colour Award Grand Prix, and 2nd Prize in the NSW Government sponsored Circular Quay Urban Design Ideas Competition.

Stephen’s projects have been published in books and magazines in Australia, the UK, Germany, Hungary, Spain, South Korea, China and the USA. His work has been exhibited in a number of exhibitions including ‘Living the Modern_Australian Architecture’ at the DAZ in Berlin in 2007, and in the ‘Abundant’ exhibition in the Australian Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2008.

Stephen Varady also has success as a competition advisor, registrar and organiser, having prepared and run the Frankston Station Design Competition for the Victorian Government, the Green Square Aquatic Centre Competition and the Green Square Library & Plaza Competition for the City of Sydney, and the Wagga Wagga Civic Centre Competition for Wagga Wagga City Council.