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design
mag
It’s often said that Sydney and Melbourne are as different as they are alike.And the new
Melbourne Brick Studio in inner-city Richmond is a perfect example of that.
The location, in fashionable Swan Street, is surrounded by upmarket building product and
homewares vendors (and down the street from Melbourne’s Ferrari and Maserati showroom).
Richmond is also the home of many leading architectural practices.
The venue is not a glass-fronted shop but a large warehouse that has undergone a
metamorphosis under the guidance of Tim Black, the B of BKK Architects. Like the Sydney Design
Studio, there is an identical “Illusions Wall” feature but that’s where the similarity ends.
Out front is a low brick wall with a dentated and stepped pattern that has been dubbed “playful”
by one commentator. It is also functional, having been used as a convenient seat by pedestrians!
The Brick Studio’s theme is that of a gallery rather than a display centre.The industrial theme is
reinforced by the use of “raw”materials: brick, concrete and timber. Dominating the display area
is a forest of towering brick columns flanking a massive work bench made from timber supplied
by Auswest Timbers
®
.As in the Sydney CBD Design Studio, most products are stored and brought
out to allow staff to work directly with the customer.
As well as being convenient for visitors from the local area and Melbourne’s CBD, the Brick
Studio is close to the Monash Freeway and CityLink. Like its Sydney sibling, it is well equipped
and available for industry functions and presentations.
The Brick Studio is at 490 Swan Street, Richmond and open 9 am ‘til 5 pm weekdays and
10 am ‘til 4 pm Saturdays, other times by appointment.Telephone 03 9303 4740.