The irony is not lost on me that I like to go to the cafe up the road from my gym after I have completed an exercise class. I do try to steer away from the endless rows of pastries that line the glass fronted shelves and usually just opt for a coffee. I have read that drinking coffee after the gym increases your metabolism. We all know that can only be a good thing..
How does this relate to my work as an Architect and indeed why would I like to share the rather mundane act of my weekend cafe habit ?
Aside from this cafe serving really great coffee and incredible pastries baked on the premises, I adore everything about the fitout, down to the flowers on each table that change weekly. I feel so comfortable in this space and so inspired by the atmosphere that it has become a place to relax for a few minutes and contemplate life, work, current affairs and everything in between before I head home to family life and domestic chaos.
The space is authentic. It is an insertion of new, utilitarian cafe elements with a few beautiful timelesss classic pieces of timber furniture set against raw concrete and steel. The soft, unfinished timber of my favourite Thonet Chairs contrast with the hard edge industrial elements of the display cases and self contained Kitchen. The building, as shopfront on Oxford Street was originally a Plaster Ceiling Shop at the turn of the 19th Century and the different options for Plaster Ceiling Roses are still intact, visible when you look up.
When I graduated University, nearly twenty years ago, the space was an Art Gallery and we held a memorable end of year function here. Following that it was the Charlie Brown fashion emporium for many years. So while I drink my coffee and skim through the Saturday papers my mind often wanders as it tends to when give the space and time.
My recent musings over a coffee and yes I admit it, a cronut ( seriously who invented these morsels of heaven ?? ) led me to the conclusion that it is very important in life, work and play to align your values.
Yes, I may be stating the obvious, however with so many distractions in the world, it really is easy to lose sight of what our values actually are and how a deeper understanding of them helps to forge stronger relationships and enhance creativity. My Yoga instructor would could it "Flow".
I am interested in this for several reasons. Mostly because I can feel a shift in our business and I need to make sure that the values upon which we have built our practice are aligned with the clients who engage us and the work we produce. We have been so fortunate to work with many wonderfull clients recently who have been referred to us directly by friends and colleagues. I am so grateful for these opportunities.
Over the past couple of years we have designed several new homes and alterations that are now coming to completion on site. It is an exciting, if not busy time and we are working with a couple of amazing builders.
While all this is happening I am also looking for new projects and opportunities. For several years I have been considering the direction I want to take the practice and I am now actively seeking those opportunities. My experience in Urban Design and larger residential projects is considerable and I hope to foster new relationships where we can work collaboratively on designs of this nature. I don't want to grow my practice in size, however would like to scale the projects, while maintaining to current scope of work that I (we) love.
I currently employ two students, Emily and Isobel who share their role while studying and pursuing other interests. With passion and talent they help create a fabulous team.
I value authentic, honest, timeless design. In the spirit of Sustainability and Wellbeing I believe that people benefit from Architecture and Interiors that are light filled, spatially inspiring and connected to nature. It is quite simple, yet often very challenging to achieve.
If you have a project in mind I would love to hear from you ! To be continued......
P.S My values are not aligned with Nike Slides. My 11 year old son is more fashion forward than I am, as is this customer I managed to snap alongside the croissants.
Old Town Hội An, the city's historic district, is recognized as an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century, its buildings and street plan reflecting a unique blend of influences, indigenous and foreign.
The old houses of Tan Ky and Phung Hung are preserved examples of early Chinese Shop Houses , constructed over 500 years ago . Based on the principle of a Shopfront for trade , living areas on the ground floor around a courtyard and sleeping areas above , with two generations of family living together.
The Q10 House was the first completed project for young Architect Pham Xuan Nghia , one of the Co-Founders of Hanoi based Architecture and Urban Design Practice Studio 8 . With an incredible list of projects completed and under construction in just three years of practice and offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney the passion and commitment of this practice is outstanding.
While the facade of the Q10 house is remarkable aesthetically , the simplicity hides a rigour and attention to detail that highlights the uncompromising and rigorous approach that was taken to design this house for three generations of a family from the North of Vietnam on an incredibly tight budget . The house was designed for half the cost of a similar sized house in the area .
The layout is driven by the programme, environmental and cost factors . Circulation is located to separate the private areas of the client's family and those of his parents , while they all share the open plan living and dining room with kitchen .
The site is tiny, yet the house feels incredibly spacious , with voids bringing in light and ventilation to every room , further reducing cost.