多元设计思维 · Sibling 建筑事务所的五人团队如何改变设计行业

They say that two heads are better than one. Then five heads together must be bloody amazing. And if Amelia Borg, Nicholas Braun, Jane Caught, Qianyi Lim & Timothy Moore from Sibling are anything to go by, you too will want to rush out and get yourself four other business partners. But they are going to have to be bloody amazing. Plus you’re going to want to have known them for a very long time, and really enjoy their company – like proper great mates.

I’ve long admired the work of Sibling Architecture and their unique, truly multidisciplinary approach. And not just because of their utopian practice model, or the fact they combine architecture, urbanism, cultural analysis and graphic communication to produce inspiring projects. I’ve been drawn to their lateral thinking and their ability to design from a place that exists outside of ‘design trends’ (yuck, I can’t believe I just said the T-word – sorry guys, I can be absolutely fucking atrocious with my language at times!), and their courage to explore radical ideas, stick to their guns, carve out a niche, build a community around their practice and so much more.

With offices in both Melbourne and Sydney, Sibling star is definitely on the rise and their projects are becoming more diverse in nature and scale – from residential, workplace, retail, experiential, education, hospitality, temporary, public realm – you name it, these guys are doing it, but in their own unique way.

I’m so bloody excited to share this interview with you today, because it’s jam-packed, and I mean JAM PACKED with so much good stuff, you’re going to want to take your phone off the hook (or put it on silent or something), shut down your email, cancel work and call in sick. Cause this is the shit right here.

Enjoy!

+ Hello team Sibling, welcome to Yellowtrace!. Could you please give us a quick introduction on yourselves? When did you first decide you wanted to become architects? And what path lead you to start your join practice?

+ What is your main priority when starting projects? Is there something that is fundamental to your practice – your philosophy and your process?

+ How do you go about initiating projects – do you do this together or separately? You must find that your amazing partnership enriches your output, but is there ever a time when you all drive each other crazy, or when designing or working together can be challenging?

+ How is your studio structured? i.e. How many of you work in the studio, what types of skills do you have in-house, is there anything you are outsourcing, and how many projects do you handle at any one time?

+ How do you organise and manage the competing demands of modern business and life? Do you have any tip or tricks you could share with us that help you in your day to day (i.e. software, online tools, shortcuts, task management, cheat sheets, advisors, anything!)

+ What do you feel is the most challenging part of being a designer/ architect today? And if you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

+ What are some of your methods to stay motivated, focused and expressive? And your top 3 main sources of inspiration and references you are drawn to regularly?

+ Who or what are some of your influences? What other designers, peers and creatives do you admire?

+ What advice would you give to emerging designers who want to follow your path? What was one of your biggest lessons learned since starting your practice?

+ What would be your dream creative project or a collaboration?

+ What’s next – can you share with us your vision, some of your goals (and some of your current projects)?

+ What’s the best mistake you have ever made?

+ Best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Ricky & Pinky Restaurant in Fitzroy, Melbourne. Photography by Christine Francis.

+ Your most treasured belonging?

+ What’s one thing other people may not know about you?

+ It’s not very cool, but I really like…

[Images courtesy of Sibling Architecture. Photography credits as noted.]