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Interview: Architect Mel Bright on building smarter, not larger

By Olivia Shead •

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She may be the director of an award-winning architecture firm, but humble Mel Bright still sees herself as an emerging designer: “Building a practice and good reputation takes time – each project takes about two years so seven years go by very quickly. For me, I’m still very much an emerging designer, which is all about thinking big, finding a life balance and working hard.”

Mel Bright, Make Architecture. Photograph by Martina Gemmola.
Photo credit: Martina Gemmola

The founder of MAKE Architecture, Mel and her team of four work primarily in residential. With more of an interest in process and approach rather than style, the outcome of all their projects is driven by the client’s brief and the site itself.

“A site-specific response is an important starting point for us,” says Mel. “This happens at the scale of the city and also at the smaller scale of the specific site context. Much of the work we do is renovations to existing residential buildings in Melbourne so the existing heritage of the house plays an important role in forming our design response.”

house reduction
House Reduction. Photo credit: Peter Bennetts

Believers in quality not quantity, MAKE focus on the way buildings can make our lives better, an idea that is particularly evident in their award-winning project, House Reduction. The first project that saw them gain national recognition, House Reduction was a novel idea that saw the interior of the house actually be reduced in size. “The brief was to help this family remain living in the inner city but give them a larger garden,” explains Mel. “So we removed their 80s extension and rebuilt that part of the house in a much more efficient way. The idea being that maybe we can design smarter rather than larger.”

house reduction 2
House Reduction. Photo credit: Peter Bennetts

The property also comprised another of their projects, Little Brick Studio; a studio garage at the rear of the site. MAKE didn’t stop there, also designing the landscape and the pool to create an integrated overall design concept, something which Mel believes is pivotal when creating a home.

“I always feel disappointed if the landscape’s not done at the same time as the rest of the project. I don’t understand how you can have a beautiful house but then look out onto a patch of dirt and broken fences. So we are really trying to push our clients to finish the project and that’s not just finishing the architecture and the interior but finishing the landscape as well.”

little brick studio
Little Brick Studio. Photo credit: Peter Bennetts

With many projects in the pipeline, Mel is particularly excited about a house and studio in St Kilda and house in Balaclava. Here they are exploring some new materials, as well as having to work within the tight parameters of a site that has two huge trees which are in the way of the planned extension. But it is this idea, of working with the site, rather than against it, that has always been MAKE’s approach, something they count as their niche.

“We believe good design shouldn’t just look good it should be useful and it should last,” she explains. “We also like the idea of process rather than style, of drawing on the materials and details in the existing house to inform our design response and reinterpreting and responding in a contemporary way.”

tree house
Balaclava Tree House

While MAKE have taken out the top prizes at the Houses Awards and the Think Brick Awards, Mel is most proud of the fact that she has done all of this while being a mother. “I am very proud that we have done all of this while I have juggled two small kids (now five and two) and that we manage to work sustainable working hours. I think it is so important in our industry that we strive to achieve excellence within sustainable working hours and with a work life balance!”

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June 16, 2014

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Maybe it's an antidote to the grey weather but we Maybe it's an antidote to the grey weather but we find some of the most colourful interiors from my motherland, the UK!

This beautiful lilac kitchen is found in a renovated apartment by @llidesign in a grand mansion block in London's Bloomsbury. You can tour the rest of it on the blog now, via link in bio.

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I remember the chair being such a key purchase whe I remember the chair being such a key purchase when I put together my first ever baby room for Seb. I spent many an evening relaxing on mine while pregnant as I tried to get my head around impending motherhood! Not only are glider recliners like the Chelsea from @iltutto the most comfortable chairs EVER for those many hours spent feeding and settling, why shouldn't they look this good too, am I right?!

Did you love your nursery chair? Did it look this good?!

See more on the Il Tutto Chelsea Glider Recliner Chair via link in bio now.

#feedingchair #nurserychair #nursingchair #reclinerchair #nurseryroomdecor #nursery #nurserygoals #nurserydesign #babyroomdecoration #babyrooms #babyroominspo #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #iltutto #newmumlife
Here's a sneak peek of the kitchen and powder room Here's a sneak peek of the kitchen and powder room to whet your appetite! 

Head on over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest of this gorgeous Sydney reno by @_studio_trio 

Pix by @mareehomer.photography and styling by Jackie Brown.

#interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realreno #housetour #australianhomes #australianhouses #sydneyhomes #sydneyhouses #texturedtiles #kitchenshelfie #kitchenshelves #kitchenshelf #powderroomdesign #powderroomwallpaper #studiotrio #kitchenhooks
There's a LOT of goodness in @sageandclare's lates There's a LOT of goodness in @sageandclare's latest collection Marguerite but the Aida rug has to be my personal fave.

Handcrafted from wool, it features a rustic check design with a rainbow of nostalgic colour. Embroidered edge stitching furthers its handcrafted feel. 

“This is pure colour joy bundled up in a hard-wearing and happy rug that will lift any room with ease," says creative director Phoebe Bell.

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see more, including Phoebe's 5 faves.

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A DIY dining nook bench seat with storage for $120 A DIY dining nook bench seat with storage for $1200!

After 4 years of saying “a dining nook would be great there…” South Australians @the_groves_abode finally got a quote from a local cabinet maker for a built-in bench seat with storage. When the $4,000 price tag was revealed, criminologist, chronic over-achiever and wannabe carpenter Andrew decided to have a crack at it instead.

And we're so impressed with the end result which cost just over a grand. Read what they did, what they used and how in the blog now, via link in bio.

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Mess = stress! Today on the blog, @little_label_c Mess = stress!

Today on the blog, @little_label_co founder Natalie Manoushian is sharing her top tips for a more organised home. I'd love you to share your best tips in the comments too!

"Disorganisation puts barriers in the way. Imagine how much quicker you would get things done if your home or work space ran smoothly. Researchers have found that clutter can actually make it more difficult to focus on a particular task. From the frustration of not being able to find what we need, to the feeling of being constantly surrounded by chaos, a disorganised environment creates brain fog and can lead to procrastination and reduces productivity. It can also trigger feelings of stress and anxiety, making it difficult to switch off, relax and sleep well."

Read the full post via link in bio now 

#littlelabelco #labelling #labellingeverything #homeorganisation #homeorganizationtips #homeorganising #homeorganisation #organisationtips #tidyingtips #homehack #storagegoals #pantrymakeover #interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #cupboardstorage
Swipe for before 😲 @adoremagazine's Loni Parke Swipe for before 😲

@adoremagazine's Loni Parker and her partner are stuck into their second home reno and it's looking great! Today, we bring you the before and afters of the main bedroom, guest bedroom and ensuite (pictured). Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest and more info on what they did and used.

Enjoy!

#bathroomdesignideas #bathroomtrends2023 #adorehome #adorehomemagazine #1960shouse
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#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #curvedvanity #timbervanity

Pix by @coastpark.creative
An exterior makeover for just $50? You read it rig An exterior makeover for just $50? You read it right! 😲🤯

Head over to the blog to find out how Lisa Purvis did this to her blonde brick Culburra Beach holiday home with just two bags of hydrated lime from Bunnings, a bucket, a masonry brush and some hard work!

All the details via link in bio now. 

"I hope my story inspires other women to have a go and transform their dated brick homes on a budget too,” says Lisa. "If I can do it, anyone can.”

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Happy #iafoodiefriday 🥦 This broccoli salad fr Happy #iafoodiefriday 🥦

This broccoli salad from @thewholefoodsrefillery looks DELISH!

And you can get 20% off one order with them (they're my friends!) using my code JEN20

Recipe via link in bio now. Enjoy!

#brocolli #brocollisalad #brocollirecipes #saladrecipes #thewholefoodsrefillery #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsdaddict #jenbishop #cranberries #driedcranberries
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About Olivia Shead

When she's not writing for Interiors Addict, Olivia is now a TV and radio news producer. She's a journalism graduate of UTS Sydney.

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