Jeremy Bull

Architect Of The Month

Redfern, NSW, Australia

Often in architecture and design there is a pressure to find a niche and circle in on a signature styling. Architect Jeremy Bull, however, opens his eyes and ears to absorb in the minutiae of the world around him. Inspiration, he knows, can be triggered from anything; a frisson of emotion, a long forgotten memory or a passing landscape.

The key for Jeremy’s practice is to open himself up to the world rather than cut himself off from it; to conjure up designs that mould to the wide spectrum of budgets, requirements and tastes of his clientele – all skilfully polished under his own discerning eye.

Jeremy has acted as Director for Alexander &CO. for the past four years. A Sydney-based architectural and interior design studio, the firm offers a highly curated vision to bespoke residential and large-scale commercial sites both within Australia and internationally.

We spoke to Jeremy about his everyday inspirations and how the seemingly trivial can often translate into architectural feats of wonder.

Tell us about your practice.

JB: We are a cross-disciplinary office in Redfern, Sydney. I guess you could say that we specialise in ‘brief answering’, cross sector and genre interiors and architecture. I have directed the business for the last four and a half years with our Associate Director Samantha Birtles, three associates and a team of 20 in total.

In your completed projects, do you have a reoccurring theme, style, signature, or do you embrace the individuality of each project?

JB: The reoccurring component in each of our projects is really just the methodology. Each project tends to be very specific and, although some clients drive reoccurring narratives, we are most satisfied in diversity, not repetition.

What has been your favourite project to date?

JB: This is so hard to answer. It’s easy to say the projects that carry the most accolade or opportunity – Dubai Opera comes to mind – but really they are the projects with the most positive and effective team work. Some projects are just a joy to be part of.

What are the main day-to-day challenges that you’re presented with?

JB: So, so many. The reality is that there is a continuous stream of new challenges everyday, without fail. They cross everything from commerce to human resource management to design. Mine is really a problem-solving role at its core.

How do you see the architecture industry right now, are there any shifts or changes that you’ve noticed?

JB: A busy local construction industry has elevated the value of effective design to a more accessible consumer service. People are seeing the competitive commercial value of being able to brand their development – even in a small residential project. This wasn’t always the case.

How important to you is the relationship between architecture, interior design and interactivity?

JB: Space defines how we move, what we see and ultimately what we experience. The built environment is just that, a built environment. If you can recognise and distil this into your work, any emotion tied to place is at your disposal.

What designers, architects, geography or periods of architecture inspire you?

JB: Everything, often at once. To try to be more specific; some places, stories and landscapes have the ability to bring out a rawness, a really visceral feeling of being human. I think it is these ideologies that inspire. Some go to architects and designers are; David Chipperfield, Le Corbusier, Kelly Wearstler, Axel Vervoordt, SANAA (Japanese architectural studio) and Herzog & de Meuron.

How important to you is sustainability in architecture and interior design?

JB: We are a global supply village; resources affect everything from the timber in your chair to the time your team require to get the work done. Sustainability is complex, multi-dimensional and very important.

Do you feel that mass media and social platforms- like Instagram- are influencing the industry?

JB: They are great and hugely influential. Having more resources for everyone to share isn’t a bad thing. I am a believer in open networks. The more shared knowledge, the better we do together; the further we push; the more exposure we have to our work; the better we can share our ideas.

How do you define architecture?

JB: Everything either stacks or hangs. If this is done with intent, that is architecture.