2015 UQ Architecture Lecture Series with Mel Bright, MAKE Architecture

In the lead-up to the fourth lecture in the 2015 UQ Architecture Lecture Series, March 31, we spoke to speaker Mel Bright, MAKE Architecture. 

Tell us a little about your background, and what originally led you to architecture?

My family are all quite rational with an engineering background, so I almost became an engineer. I loved art and design in high school and at the last minute I changed my university preferences from engineering to architecture. I realised that with architecture I could combine both the rational and the creative.

Can you give us a little insight into what a normal workday looks like for you?

A normal workday can be quite varied. The thing I like the most about running a small architecture practice is that I jump from many things….often without stopping. Site visits, presentations to clients, talking through details with builders and spending time designing and developing our projects with the great team at MAKE.

What are some daily office rituals or habits you employ to enhance your productivity and creativity?

We have a ‘no meetings’ rule for Monday mornings. Most days I’m in the office early, I find if I try to start early, and have some quiet time in the office, I can get ahead of the day. I have lots of lists and I try and work sustainable working hours. Some MAKE team things that we all enjoy are; personal training Monday lunchtime, MAKE team cooked Friday lunches and beers at 4pm on Fridays.

What principles inform your work?

Site specific, context driven architecture that is a joy to live in.

We are more interested in process and approach than style and don’t overlay a prescribed style, instead preferring to let the client brief and context drive the outcomes. A sustainable ethos and responsible social agenda are part of every project and we see that even the smallest project presents an opportunity to contribute positively to the fabric of its place. We always look for delight in the design of our buildings in their spaces and experiences. We typically draw on the materials and details in the existing house to inform our design response. We search for ways to reinterpret and to respond in a contemporary way.

Our buildings are designed to respond to the seasons and careful thought is put into how spaces are occupied. Believers in quality not quantity, MAKE look for efficiencies and delight in the design of our buildings and focus on ways that these buildings can make our lives better. Spaces are made to work hard, to be flexible and to do many things.

Where do you go to get design inspiration?

Art, landscape, other architects. Social media like Pinterest is an amazing resource.

What has been a career highlight for you so far?

There have been many, it has been such a thrill to start to gain recognition over the years and to see our projects win some awards. However, better than any award was recently handing over our ‘Local House’ project to our wonderful and happy clients. The whole MAKE team and our extended families shared an evening together enjoying the house, it was such a joyful and happy night and it's moments like that I can't quite believe it’s what I do for a job.

Which Australian or international architecture people, practices, designers or similar do you admire?

Brisbane favourites: Owen Vokes Peters

In other states: Kirsten Thompson, Durback Block, Hannah Tribe, Kennedy Nolan, NMBW.

Internationally: So many! New York High line is a favourite project.

What are your top 5 favourite design books?

1. Stuart Harrisons books - New Suburban and Forty-Six square metres of land doesn't normally become a house, Published by Thames & Hudson
2. Take 7 - Housing Australia, How Architects can make a difference, Edited by Geoffrey London and Simon Anderson, Australian Institute of Architects
3. Designing the Highline, Gansevoort Street to 30th – Field Operations, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Friends of the Highline, The City of New York
4.  Powers of Ten, a Flipbook, Based on the film by Charles and Ray Eames - Optical Toys and The Eames office
5.  The Australian Ugliness, Robyn Boyd – Penguin Books

What can attendees to your UQ Architecture lecture expect to hear? 

I will talk about some MAKE projects and our approach to design … Projects will be new and old, built and un-built and some work in progress!