THE ARCHITECT / IN PROFILE
spaceagency: Creating a sense of place spaceagency approaches each project with a rigour and attention to detail that allows it to deliver projects instilled with a sense of history, currency and longevity. WORDS: CASSANDRA SIMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY: MARCOS SILVERIO / BARRY WILLIAMS / MICHAEL PATRONI
Founded by director Michael Patroni, spaceagency is a multi-award winning design based architectural practice engaging in a wide range of architectural projects across the residential, hospitality and commercial sectors. “We work in the now, understanding the past, but looking to the future,” says spaceagency director Dimmity Walker. “At the start of every project we work with the client’s vision but also explore the historical, social, physical and political context of the place in order to identify its uniqueness. We, as architects, have a social responsibility to not only deliver good design, but also a sustainable built form and a connection with the community. We always seek to contribute to the experience of the place.” Three of spaceagency’s most recent projects stand out for their connection to community. Each an adaptive reuse project with the aim of bringing community together, spaceagency approached them in a similar way. “We wanted to embrace the story of the place, not only the built form, but its context, over time. We didn’t want to take the buildings back to a single point in their history, but, instead, reveal aspects of their life at different points during their lifetime,” says Dimmity. “Everything that has taken place in the intervening
years between construction and where the buildings are now contributes to the story, the experience. We see our role as adding layers to continue the story, not end it.” spaceagency recognises that each place is unique and occupies a unique place in history. In each of The Rechabite, the Farmers’ Home Hotel and Coogee Common, spaceagency’s design response has been to expose and restore the original building fabric whilst maintaining the integrity of the original structure. And, although the result may look simple, it was an approach that was, at times, incredibly challenging. Rechabite Hall was a particularly challenging project. Originally built in 1925 by the Independent Order of Rechabites and used by the Temperance movement which promoted total abstinence from alcohol, the hall has had multiple uses over its lifetime. The reinvention of the building was completed in November 2019, after four years of work focussing on the adaptive reuse and refurbishment of spaces that had been redundant, dilapidated and in disrepair. The Rechabite is now a multi-use performance space offering entertainment and hospitality venues and housing a unique live performance space wrapped with suspension bridge tiers over three levels. → THE RECHABITE – NORTHBRIDGE PHOTO: MARCOS SILVERIO
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IN PROFILE / SPACEAGENCY
