If it’s not breaking ground in some way, you can count Shewanna out. By resisting the status quo, asking the right questions and creating strong alliances, she brings a richness to projects that would be otherwise left untapped. Shewanna’s practical nature is perched next to a fluid creativity – constantly exploring new side projects. This artistic curiosity is an intrinsic part of Shewanna and her interpretation of architecture: rather than a theoretical exercise she sees it as a sculpture that revolves around a people-centric process and result.
Everything about Shewanna’s approach is centred on the human experience, from the buildings themselves to her work with contractors, clients and her team. She’s interested in creating collaborative relationships built on trust and empathy, while her tenacity ensures the translation of the initial design intent into the built form. With her sharp eye alongside 30-plus years of experience as an architect, she also knows how to spot a promising young architect and empower them. She sees this as part of her professional legacy – the information might bend and flex with the times, but the core is still there to help create a future-proof industry.
Awards
Highline - Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards
Result: Winner
Year: 2022
Esplanade - PCA Innovation & Excellence Awards (NSW)
Result: Finalist
Year: 2022
Esplanade - UDIA NSW Awards for Excellence
"The Esplanade has it all. Adjoining a lake next to a shopping centre it is also a renewal of the old ice rink site. The high quality residential tower is complimented by a lower rise commercial office building over lakeside restaurants. Good architecture displays the two connected buildings appearing separate. The Judges were particularly impressed with the integration of the public waterfront and the buildings entry and forecourt. Almost fully occupied this fine development is a great example of mixed use success. It builds well on the success of Norwest mixed community."
- The UDIA NSW Awards Jury
Result: Winner
Year: 2021
Bigge Street - AIA NSW Architecture Awards
The NSW Premier’s Prize is awarded each year to the project considered to best exemplify commitment to the following criteria; the creation of strong communities, contribution to the public realm, establishing a new benchmark for a local area, innovation in design and designing with Country.
"Bigge St demonstrates a high quality and thoughtful approach to delivering cost effective housing and shows that meeting the needs of our community is not dependent on sacrificing the architectural quality enjoyed by the residents and the community." - Jury comments
Result: Winner
Year: 2023
Bigge Street - AIA NSW Architecture Awards
"Bigge Street Liverpool is an exemplar of a new and collaborative method of procuring social housing, delivering design quality and equitable living in an evolving outer Sydney centre." - Jury comments
Result: Award
Year: 2023
Col James Student Accomm. UDIA NSW Awards for Excellence
Result: Winner
Year: 2022
Col James Student Accomm. UDIA NSW Awards for Excellence
Result: Winner
Year: 2022
Col James Student Accomm. UDIA NSW Awards for Excellence
Result: Winner
Year: 2022
Col James Student Accomm. Good Design Awards
“The architecture of the Col James Student Accommodation Building is no short of successful. The design responds to Redfern’s rich, urban conditions both past and present. Turner deserves high praise for their innovative composition of both internal and external living and communal spaces for students. They have expertly overcome many challenges including the considerable constraints of the project's complex, inner-city urban site.”
- The Good Design Awards Jury
Result: Winner
Year: 2022
Col James Student Accomm. Asia Property Awards
Result: Winner
Year: 2022
Col James Student Accomm. Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards
Result: Winner
Year: 2021
Col James Student Accomm. The Urban Developer Industry Excellence Awards
Result: Finalist
Year: 2021
Meridian Miranda - UDIA NSW Crown Group Awards for Excellence
Result: Finalist
Year: 2022
Meridian Miranda - UDIA NSW Crown Group Awards for Excellence
Result: Finalist
Year: 2022
Meridian Miranda - The Urban Developer Awards
Result: Finalist
Year: 2022
View some projects Shewanna Mendis has worked on
A next generation urban housing project that positively contributes to the transformation of Kensington, and the maturing of Anzac Parade.
Part of a wider masterplan for this strategic site, Lot 4 is a build to rent project, providing approximately 360 apartments with high-level amenities and services.
Phase One of the UWS Westmead Precinct, Highline provides a high-amenity residential development on the doorstep of Sydney's largest health, medical, education and transport hubs.
A luxury resort in the Blue Mountains, surrounded by national parklands and containing 40 villas, a homestead building, gym, spa, stables and tennis courts.
Providing a new vibrant mixed-use urban village for residents of Marrickville to live, work, create and connect.
A large masterplanned community that has taken an under-utilised waterfront site with a poor urban identity, and created a highly successful mixed-use precinct.
The masterplan represents the next stage of the Wentworth Point urban renewal program, providing a vibrant mixed use precinct on the riverside site.
A waterfront mixed-use hub creating a place for the growing community of Norwest to live, eat, work and play. Esplanade offers waterfront restaurants, a retail precinct and commercial offices with views and winter gardens.
A vertical mixed use development on a prominent corner in Liverpool, delivering build to rent essential worker housing alongside retail and commercial spaces.
Adressing an urgent need for social housing in Liverpool - Bigge Street delivers high quality and cost-effective design simultaneously.
Holding the corner position adjacent to Redfern Station, Col James is part of the Pemulwuy precinct, offering accommodation for local, international, and First Nation students.
