A Different Corner

from est Magazine Issue #37 | The Global Issue

The Detail | Table Lamps

Designer Jase Sullivan and architects David Goss and Philip Mathieson share their insight on maintaining their studios’ aesthetic and the unique challenges faced when leading projects offshore.

Words Lidia Boniwell

**Project - Armadillo & Co showroom Sydney | Design - Studio Goss | Photography - Rory Gardiner**

David Goss

Founder and director Studio Goss

Entrusted with the design of the Articolo Lighting installation at Salone del Mobile, Milan in 2019 as well as their New York and Melbourne showrooms, Studio Goss director David Goss has established his practice as a leader in the residential and retail design sector; both in Australia and overseas.

CONGRATULATIONS ON TAKING OUT THE INTERNATIONAL DESIGN AWARD IN THIS YEAR’S AUSTRALIAN INTERIOR DESIGN AWARDS FOR THE ARTICOLO LIGHTING INSTALLATION AT SALONE DEL MOBILE. CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT?

The project came together without too much trouble as we had a great construction team on the ground in Milan and an extremely trusting client based in Melbourne. Even though we’d had plenty of video calls and ongoing progress photos, approaching the space for the first time was both exciting and terrifying as we arrived in Milan just as it was finished. Thankfully, it came together just as we’d imagined it.

AS A CITY, HOW DID NEW YORK INFORM YOUR AESTHETIC WHEN DESIGNING THE ARTICOLO SHOWROOM? HOW DOES THE AESTHETIC STILL SPEAK TO ITS AUSTRALIAN ROOTS?

For the New York showroom we wanted to keep it simple as the space was quite small. We decided to dial up the contrast and aim for something much darker and moodier than our normal palette which is generally more soft and pale. The contrast between hard and soft is something that we like to explore in our work locally and speaks to how we work here in Australia.

**The Kloke Melbourne flagship store draws inspiration from Brutalist architecture; a sculptural feast of stucco finishes and concrete render from floor to ceiling. Photography - Rory Gardiner.**

DOES YOUR DESIGN PROCESS DIFFER WHEN DESIGNING ABROAD FROM WHEN YOU’RE DESIGNING LOCALLY?

Our design process is similar, however we tend to do a lot more site investigation and site research upfront. We have found that the process works best when you have a great person on the ground locally to assist in sourcing local materials and knowledge. Zoom has become an invaluable part of our process. In fact, our Sydney Armadillo & Co showroom was predominately co-ordinated through Zoom between Melbourne, Sydney and Los Angeles.

WHAT KEY CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED DESIGNING ABROAD?

The key challenges we have faced designing abroad have generally revolved around communication. Trying in vain to get the exact dimension you are after can be frustrating, as can trying to manage various trades and parties to achieve a certain detail when not everything goes to plan. It really is a team effort to make the process work from afar. Also, sourcing and sampling materials can be difficult when you can’t feel and touch things immediately.

**Project - Articolo showroom Milan | Design - Studio Goss | Photography - Willem-Dirk du Toit**

ARE THERE ANY UPCOMING OVERSEAS PROJECTS WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO?

We have another New York showroom that is due to start construction soon hopefully. We are also really excited about a new residential project we’ve just started working on in Mexico. The multi-level house is located on the edge of a nature reserve on the coast of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca that we visited with the client earlier in the year.