A DECADE OF STYLE AND DAZZLING DESIGN Archertec Interiors are a celebrated multi-award-winning interior design company in the Canberra region. This year the business’s founder, Sonja McAuliffe, is celebrating Archertec Interiors 20-year membership with Master Builders ACT. Archertec Interiors have won over 80 awards across industry organisations, for their incredible work. Archertec Interiors began in 1999 because of Sonja’s passion for interior design and her natural eye for style. She started the company by dabbling in interior design projects, while she was completing her bachelor’s degree in interior architecture. “It was only a temporary thing initially, but the work kept coming through and I was introduced to great projects and great work. I loved that with every new project there was something different and there was a new challenge to tackle.” Sonja continued building her fantastic reputation in the industry and her client based continued expanding. Her first contact with Master Builders was at the design firm she worked at before starting her own business. They were already Master Builders members, Sonja attended an MBA awards night with her employers at the time, and they won an award for one of their design projects. “I was inspired by attending the MBA building awards, and I left the event with the hope of winning an award of my own one day.” Sonja has won many MBA awards for her stunning projects over the years, including winning Professional of the Year in 2009. But Sonja’s passion for space planning and colour coordination were there from an early age. From drawing to making things to building models, her innate ability was evident. She is known for her beautiful contemporary designs and her signature modern style, but she also has a passion for classic, heritage details, traditional features or classical finishes. In all of Sonja’s projects you can see different elements of her signature style, adding a certain thoughtful mastery to each space. Whether it be her use of sleek modern lines or her fondness for marble in her joinery details, all of her design spaces share her efficient planning.
GRIFFITH RESIDENCE – KITCHEN DESIGN WITH GLASS BRIDGES ABOVE AND BELOW KITCHEN JOINERY
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MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 2 2020
Sonja says it’s important as a designer to have empathy and understanding of your clients’ needs and budget. When she is planning a space, Sonja says it’s key that she does her research on the design for her client. She must consider whether her plan is suitable, sustainable and whether the design has longevity. Whenever she’s approaching a new project Sonja always asks herself the same question, “What do I need to solve here?”. She said it’s important to pretend it’s
