Where The Magic Happens

Feature Article

Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Photography Haydn Cattach, Tommy Miller & David Yeow

Words Sophie Sisko

The ability to create considered and impactful spaces for people to inhabit is the exceptional gift that architects and designers share with the community. The surroundings we experience in our daily lives play a major role in our existence whether we can define it or not.

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Central meeting area of COX Architecture, Flinders Lane. Photographed by David Yeow.

This is especially true of our workplace, an environment where we are required to exhibit productivity, collaboration and innovation. A successful office design supports and encourages the highest potential from its occupants; something many of the leading design firms in Melbourne can deliver for their clients with first-hand knowledge of the benefits to working in a well-designed space.

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Open plan layout of Archier in The Hardwick Building, Brunswick. Photographed by Haydn Cattach.

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Amongst these firms is Archier, COX Architecture and Technē Architecture + Interior Design who in collaboration with Open House Melbourne will be opening their doors on Saturday the 28th of July to give members the public a glimpse inside their studios to see where the magic happens.

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Exterior shot of Archier on Sydney Road. Photographed by Haydn Cattach.

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Exterior shot of the new Technē studio on Rathdowne Street.

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Archier directors in the studio. Photographed by Haydn Cattach.

“No one wants to be a hypocrite, it’s critical that as designers who purport to represent ‘best practice’ that we walk the talk. But even understanding the benefits, its only when you’re in a genuinely considered space where you feel both engaged and elevated that you really appreciate the truth of ‘good design’”. Christina Prodromou, Director COX Architecture.

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Photographed by Tommy Miller.

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Photographed by Haydn Cattach.

Archier’s studio boasts expansive windows that allow for natural light to pour into the space. “A great environment for indoor planting, so much so that they have grown to become a mini jungle” describes Chris Haddad, Director.

In addition to the physical environment, Archier is dog friendly, and as Chris rightly notes “It is much harder to be stressed with a dog on your lap!”

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Charlie is a regular at Archier studio. Photographed by Haydn Cattach.

Pete Sullivan, Director at COX Architecture, shares his delight to welcome visitors into the studio for Open House Melbourne, “For many of us, this is our second home. And as with our first homes we’re proud to invite guests inside and to see their reactions as they share our spaces and stories.”