Where the Magic Happens – Eva-Marie Prineas for Women’s History Month

Eva-Marie Prineas prefers to tinker “just on the edge of being comfortable”. It is a position she actively pursues as Principal of Studio Prineas and an attitude that has long been embedded in her psyche. She recalls visiting her cousins in Athens as a child; her incredulity at the city’s fast-paced urbanity – a far cry from the familiarity of Sydney’s suburbs – fascinated as opposed to intimidated her. This curiosity for the world around her paired with an irrefutable desire to be amongst it has fuelled her practice as an architect. As she says, “that really inspired me to think about cities in a different way and to really want to become part of that process of design.” In line with the theme of Women’s History Month – “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories” – Eva-Marie shared her story with The Local Project.

“With architecture and design, you have to be uncomfortable in order to be creative – that’s where the magic happens,” Eva-Marie offers. “It took me a little while to figure that out – not just in a design sense but in a business sense. I’m now a little bit more comfortable with being uncomfortable, and that’s something that I’m proud of.” This attitude has seen Eva-Marie grow her practice to a team of six and cement the studio – which is recognised for its authentic and informed approach to architecture – as a notable mainstay.

“As a young architect starting my own practice, I was so supported by so many architects – not just women – who really looked out for me, put opportunities in front of me and challenged me to do things that I never thought that I would be able to do, and I really appreciate that,” Eva-Marie says.

As Eva-Marie explains, understanding the intricacies of running a business and managing people has proved just as crucial as successful built outcomes. Thus, crafting a team of like-minded individuals who share similar values and support one another has been an active and ongoing pursuit since founding the studio in 2004. “The one thing we never learn at university is how to manage teams and […] people and that’s become a really important part of who we are as a practice and […] something I really invest a lot of time in,” she shares. As such, the studio environment is highly collaborative; building transparent and meaningful client relationships is paramount. Eva-Marie facilitates team activities like day trips to Melbourne, group site visits and symposiums as a way of encouraging education and connection within the team.

Nurturing those within her team and fostering their growth stems from personal experience. Reflecting on her early years as a practicing woman architect, Eva-Marie recalls the support she received from her network. “As a young architect starting my own practice, I was so supported by so many architects – not just women – who really looked out for me, put opportunities in front of me and challenged me to do things that I never thought that I would be able to do, and I really appreciate that,” she says.

While her own experiences as a woman practitioner in a field dominated by men have been positive, she notes the importance of championing women’s voices. “Traditionally, women used to tell their stories to each other in much more closed circles,” she offers, adding, “they didn’t really have a voice, and the stories that were being told – the women’s part of that was quite ancillary. I think this [Women’s History Month] theme is really about celebrating women that are coming forward and telling their stories because they need to be heard and listened to.”

Alongside the foundational support from her wider network, two women in particular – both of whom were clients of Studio Prineas – have provided a great deal of inspiration at equally meaningful times. The first client “was so incredibly supportive in my formative years that she gave me the confidence to step out and start my own practice,” Eva-Marie reflects, and the second offered invaluable advice during a pivotal and challenging professional moment. “She reminded me to stay true to myself and my values, and I’ll never forget that.”

Adhering to that piece of advice – however logical it is – demands intuition and commitment; two aptitudes Eva-Marie undoubtedly possesses. It seems only fitting then, that her own sliver of counsel for young women architects is to “be your authentic self. Don’t try and be someone else and don’t pretend that you know everything.” Unsurprisingly, she adds that personal and professional growth comes down to “finding the comfort in discomfort,” advocating for the same sense of inquisitiveness that has guided her since childhood.