practice & theory

practice

The studio depends on people interaction to sustain an environment that stimulates creativity, focusing on the collaboration between specialists and clients to realise excellence. Our design process is thoughtful, integrated and considers the whole and the parts continuously. We endorse diversity of voices with the creativity this brings into the design process, it is part of the method to integrate ideas to achieve excellence in design. Our methods are not fixed, they are flexibly adaptive to each context which allows for deep immersion in the project.

We are experimental, innovative, and inquiring and we seek out multiple feedback processes with rigour to assess our works before we creatively synthesise ideas, technique, experience, specialisation and refinement into services and designs.

Our approach to excellence provides substantial long-term value to projects for our clients, this is evidenced through our design.

theory

Research underpins the studio’s activities. Rigorous analysis and creative methodologies combine with a thorough understanding of the client’s needs. Our culture creates an atmosphere where knowledge and creativity thrive. The studio’s design theory is a union of design philosophy and research practice underpinned with environmental aesthetics. In this, aesthetics is a combined functional and cultural appreciation of beauty.

Our approach includes a contextual, regional, and cultural sensitivity that makes our designs appealing.

Our thinking is focused on the environment from which we find design inspiration and to which we constantly respond, bringing value to each project. Through our actions, including leveraging technology and cultural responses we aim to improve design outcomes, to improve human health, safety, and wellbeing. We seek out subtlety and expression as forms of shade and light … of solid and space.

methodology

As a research-based organisation, our qualitative methods are flexible and suited to the project or research question. We adopt mixed methods to allow us to employ processes suited to the project, this also allows us to employ empirical and/or quantitative data and interpretation as the case provides. In broad terms, we use stepped design methodologies that allow for feedback loops as a systemic approach.

Most of our projects, but not all, use immersive, experimental, integrative and assessment methods which include collaboration and review with the client and peers. This is a non-linear process due to the feedback and systemic processes. We communicate through positive criticism derived from working in artistically inclined transdisciplinary teams where care, mindfulness and wellbeing are desirable qualities.