CREATIVE SPACE
From their stylish ‘seasonal’ studio in Melbourne, the design team at Jolson produce spaces that are both inspiring and enduring.
The home base of Jolson in Melbourne is a work of vine art.
WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR ENDURING CREATIVE INFLUENCES? Stephen Jolson: I have always been inspired by the work of Italian architect Carlo Scarpa, with projects that celebrate form, materiality and texture, and that engage with context, landscape and a sense of place. DESCRIBE YOUR APPROACH TO ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN? SJ: Our projects are considered and strive to establish a sense of place that embodies our client’s brief. Sculptural and refined, our designs are enduring. Mat Wright: Our architecture and interiors are place markers and story tellers. Our interiors speak to our client’s history and forge new ambitions. We look to engage with nature’s elements, the landscape, views, light and air to create spaces that inspire users and enhance wellbeing.
IS THERE A COMMON ELEMENT THAT RUNS THROUGH ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR WORK? SJ: Our work is always approached by understanding the site context and listening to our clients. Each project is unique and strives to respond to a careful consideration of site context, natural light, material palettes and careful articulation of detail. WHAT APPEALED TO YOU ABOUT THE SITE OF YOUR STUDIO? SJ: We were drawn to the original facade of the 1950s former confectionery factory and, while it wasn’t heritage-listed, we liked the idea of retaining it. We pulled off the original sawtoothed roof and built a two-storey house on the existing slab, including a large garden and swimming pool on the first-floor terrace. The office, which is a separate tenancy, occupies the entire ground floor. There is no crossover between personal and professional life, although my kids tear through the office when they come home from school, which is a great thing! The office is a collaborative studio environment that celebrates natural light
and large open-plan working spaces. The design is simple, but enduring.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE COMPLETED SPACE? WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE FEATURES OR DESIGN ELEMENTS? MW: We enjoy watching passersby observing our ‘seasonal’ facade throughout the year. In winter, the red bricks and steel window frames of the original factory become exposed, with only the tracery of leafless vines alluding to the garden beyond. In spring, the vines awaken like popping corn and slowly the facade comes alive. In summer, the lush green coverage cools our studio. And, in autumn, the burnt oranges and reds of the deciduous foliage prepare us for winter ahead.
HOW DOES THE SPACE REFLECT THE WORK THAT YOU DO? MW: Our studio space is open and collaborative. We encourage dialogue and opinion, shared learning and critique. The consistent objective of our studio is to elevate what we produce and the process of how we deliver. We rotate our favourite art pieces and objects in the studio to stimulate creativity and provoke inquiry by our team and our clients. Understanding these influences can sway the built form of our architecture and interiors to be less complicated and more enduring.
IS THERE A PARTICULAR ARCHITECTURAL ERA OR STYLE THAT RESONATES WITH YOU? MW: The best examples of any era can be inspiring. We are drawn to lasting.
WHICH DESIGNERS, ARTISTS, MUSICIANS, WRITERS AND ARCHITECTS DO YOU EACH ADMIRE? Carlo Scarpa, Peter Zumthor, Rafael Aranda, Rodolfo Dordoni, John Lautner, Oscar Niemeyer, Del Kathryn Barton, Lionel Bawden, Alex Seton, Caleb Shea, Antony Gormley, Mantua Nangala.
WHAT OTHER PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE YEAR AHEAD? MW: We are fortunate to be working with clients, projects and sites that are inspiring. We have some incredible bespoke housing projects heading into construction, the design stages of a new winery and cellar-door project interstate, and hopefully our first medium-rise residential tower – subject to planning approval!
jolson.com.au