Perth-based architect Mark Ciesielski has died aged 49.
A multi-award-winning architect and projects director at MJA Studio, Mark, along with co-directors Wes Barrett and myself, oversaw significant change and growth within the practice over the last 13 years.
Mark was born in 1974 to Sue and Ed Ciesielski in the Western Australian mining town of Paraburdoo, where Ed was a boilermaker. From a young age, Mark dreamt of becoming an architect. Aged 10, he designed a series of renovation options for the family’s 1980s split-level display home in the Perth suburb of Leeming.
In 1993, Mark began studying architecture at the University of Western Australia, where he enjoyed the tutelage of Kate Hislop, Peter Parkinson and Charlie Mann. He also met Liz Du Guesclin, who was studying landscape architecture. Later, Mark and Liz would marry. Following graduation, Mark worked on the tools on a series of building sites, where he continued to gain an appreciation for the craft of construction and how buildings come together.
In 2001, Mark had what he described as the best interview of his life with Danny Jones in a studio where he would meet his future business partner, Wes Barrett. Mark got the job and enjoyed being left alone to work autonomously and to teach himself. Over time, his skill in detailing and his understanding of construction saw him assume the role of projects director, overseeing documentation teams and mentoring many young project architects.
Thirteen years ago, when I first joined MJA, Mark and I became friends easily. We bonded over food (his fast and mine slow), and architecture. He told me he loved the courtyard works of the Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy, and I thought: Wow this guy really knows his stuff.
Over the years, I realised that Hassan Fathy was the only architect Mark knew. And here’s the thing about Mark’s relationship with architecture: he wasn’t interested in the big names and architectural fashion; he was much more interested in the doing of architecture, the making and building of projects.
Mark was so unaffected by big names that, at events, he would introduce himself to anyone because he had no idea who they were. At the 2018 National Awards, he walked up to Peter Stutchbury and interrupted his conversation to say:
“I’m sure everyone’s congratulated you on all your awards tonight. But I just want to know … where did you get those pants?”
Peter answered, “I made them myself.”
To which Mark responded, “I make my own pants too!”
And they proceeded to have a conversation about Mark’s homemade leather and tiger print pants without talking architecture at all.
Mark always sought the best outcomes for projects and the people around him. You’d tell him a dream, a concept or an idea, and if he was into it, he’d look at you, smile, roll up his sleeve and say, “Look – goosebumps!”
We had many, many goosebump moments together.
Mark played a key role in delivering complex projects, including Cirque Apartments and Victoria House, which were both recipients of the WA Chapter’s Harold Krantz Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing. Most recently completed is Forbes Residences, a collaboration with Singapore-based practice WOHA.
Richard Hassell from WOHA offered the following words about Mark:
“When I met Mark, I had an instant bond with him. He was funny and gentle and interested in everything under the sun. I soon found out about his Weber collection and his designs for his family home, and I would get updates on both on every visit. Working together on Forbes had such an ease to it – and, together with Jimmy and Roger, we all made a great team. But Mark was the point guy for the job during the development of the design, and it was always such a pleasure to see his great mane of wild hair and smiling face, and to hear his warm voice from the MJA zoom room.
“Smart, talented, curious, creative and funny – Mark was all these things. But my greatest impression is of a huge kindness and generosity that radiated from him. Such a lovely guy, I am so sorry he has left us.”
Mark is survived by Liz, Alex, Leila, Amelia and Charlotte.
— Jimmy Thompson is the creative director of architectural practice at MJA Studio.
If you, or anyone you know needs help, contact Lifeline 13 11 14.
lifeline.org.au
