studio sisu

I discovered Mairead Murphy's workspace, Studio Sisu, via her Instagram. Drawn to the generosity of daylight, the openness of the plan, the pristine styling and the artfully dishevelled character of the original warehouse, I've been absolutely hankering to see it in the flesh.

The delightfully down-to-earth Mairead (pronounced Mah-ray-d, I found out the embarrassing way) was kind enough to show me around. The space proved to be just as striking in reality. Entering through a small courtyard, Mairead emerged through a pair of large antique doors. We headed straight upstairs to the main workspace, where the shift in natural light conditions made it all the more dramatic. With a generous lounge area, large communal table for both meetings and breakout, plus the more private "phone-call" swing, this is the kind of space that would make the daily experience of coming to work an exciting one.

Mairead shared a few stories about the pieces in the space. We chatted about the re-upholstered arm chair she found on the side of the road years ago, the antique doors she had restored and the stories behind the various artworks. Perhaps that's what makes this space so interesting for me. It raises the bar for workspaces, treating the space as a place for living and not just working.

It's clear that it took hard work and determination to get Studio Sisu to where it is today. Mairead and her partner bought the space as a run down warehouse shell seven years ago. It sat idle for five years while they furiously saved. They abandoned the original plan to convert it into their home and instead turned it into Studio Sisu, to coincide with Mairead launching her own practice. They did as much of the physical labour as they could, seeking external help for joinery and services. That's a lot of time, sweat and personal energy invested into this little studio.

Studio Sisu is truly breathtaking and I think that has a lot to do with Mairead's sharp eye, many talents, hard work and inspiring determination. If this is anything to go by, I can't wait to see what emerges from her young practice.

assemble, northcote

I was lucky enough to visit Assemble's studio over the weekend. For those who don't know, Assemble is a melting pot of minds from the fields of architecture, design, fine art, finance, construction and branding. They run online journal, Assemble Papers and they provide architecture, design and property development services as Assemble Projects. Together they promote small footprint living, centring around people and quality of life. 

Having already read about their core values, I had a feeling they were going to be cool. I met with Eugenia and Pino who were exactly the gentle and generous souls I was expecting them to be.

They designed their own studio space which, I'm sure you've noticed, has an absolutely rocking origami ceiling. Designed to disguise the existing services and provide acoustic absorption, the creeping structure folds dynamically across the ceiling. It is made with plantation pine studs that finger into one another at the internal folds. The pine structure brings warmth and life to an otherwise bare concrete shell.

Beneath the structure are a series of lime washed desks with marmoleum lining. Full height cabinets separate the space into three key areas: entry, studio and meeting room. With everything on castors, the space is highly adaptable.

Whilst Local Spaces built the space, the whole team got together doing odd jobs like painting and lime washing. It was slowly completed over approximately nine months. 

What really struck me about this studio, is the way it carries the mark of the clever and passionate people that work within it. It speaks of their design interests, their highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary way of working as well as their focus on people and slow living. 

The studio space is exciting and engaging and most importantly, human.

Before I sign off, a quick note! On top of Assemble Papers, Eugenia has also been busy working on video art festival, Channels. (High achiever much?) After three and half years in the making, the festival opens tonight! It starts at 6pm at Guildford Lane Gallery. Read more here and then proceed to mosey on over there.

[Photos by me]