Interview // Edwards Moore.

Edwards Moore is a Melbourne-based architecture & design studio founded by Ben Edwards and Juliet Moore. Avid followers of this blog will be familiar with these crazy kids (and we mean absolutely bonkers crazy) as we’ve featured their projects a number of times before. Their work is serious, playful, energetic and provocative in equal measure. Driven by a belief in the art of architecture, Edwards Moore take each project as an opportunity to explore new ideas and possibilities. There’s no preconceived plan or formula to their work, other than a plan to be ultra curious and get stuck in no matter what challenges might come along.

We decided it was about time to have a chat and pick their brains to find out a little more. Here goes!

More Projects by Edwards Moore on Yellowtrace.

Dollshouse in Melbourne. See all images in gallery post.

+ Hello Team Edwards Moore, welcome to Yellowtrace and thank you for taking the time to e-chat. Could you please tell us a little bit about your practice – when did you first decide to start Edwards Moore?

Edwards Moore was conceived in 2009 at the top of the Eureka Tower.

+ How do you characterise your design approach and your aesthetic? What is fundamental to your design practice – your philosophy and your process?

We purposefully aim to not have an Edwards Moore aesthetic. Every project is considered uniquely, with an open mind and without preconceptions; we approach each project as an opportunity for architecture as a discourse. Backed by critical thinking and a design methodology that eliminates compromise and crystallizes the brief, no matter how challenging with the aim of exceeding expectation and generating delight.

Lightbox in Melbourne. See all images in gallery post.

+ What are some of your methods to staying motivated, focused, and expressive?

First and foremost we love what we do, ours isn’t just a job. Fundamental to our practice is a healthy work life balance. We don’t promote long hours and we both have numerous interests that help fuel our creative processes. Being able to ‘zoom out’ is fundamental to working with an ongoing passion and vitality that keeps each project exciting and dynamic.

+ What advice would you give to emerging designers who want to follow your path?

Enjoy it. If you aren’t enjoying it you are doing it wrong. March to the beat of your own drum and make it happen, it won’t happen on its own.

Tardis in Melbourne. See all images in gallery post.

+ How do you go about establishing a concept and an overall direction for your projects? Do you have a certain process that you always follow?

Driven by curiosity and exploration, yet bearing in mind budgetary constraints, we work with the client to achieve crafted, considered and provocative results. Design by making is a process we employ, our studio acts as a workshop in which we build models, prototypes and conduct experiments to understand the physicality of the spaces we aim to create.

+ Do you have a favourite part of the process? Is it the initial spark of an idea or is it solving the problem that’s interesting?

It is the process that we enjoy, not a single part of it. We have been known to build many of our projects ourselves, especially installations and stage sets. Carrying the conceptual thinking through into the final built solution is the ultimate satisfaction.

Tardis in Melbourne. See all images in gallery post.

+ What was one of your biggest lessons learned since starting your practice?

To believe in yourself/ and if it looks like shit it probably is.

+ What has been your favourite project so far?

The next one.

+ Is there something professionally you would like to try that you haven’t done yet?

Design a beauty parlor for dogs.

Cubby House in Melbourne. See our previous feature on this project here.

+ What would be your dream creative project or collaboration?

Design the sets for the remake of the movie 2001 in collaboration with Stanley Kubrick and Kraftwerk.

+ What’s next – can you share with us your vision and some of your goals?

Skipper the Sydney to Hobart race + scuba dive the lost Mayan cities of Guatemala.

Keep Left in Melbourne. See our previous feature on this project here.

Let’s Get Personal.

+ What’s the best mistake you have ever made?

Better to regret something you have done and not something you haven’t. There are no mistakes.

+ Apart from your work, what other interests or hobbies do you have?

Sailing, running, swimming, horse riding, scuba diving, building things, loud music, eating, drinking, dancing, writing, holidays.

+ What is your most treasured belonging?

Airfix model of a jaguar piraña… My fathers paintings.

Offcut stool.

+ What’s one thing other people may not know about you?

I tried to burn down my school…. I grew up on a boat….

+ It’s not very cool, but I really like…

….Miley Cirus ….Delta Goodram

+ In ten years I’d like to be…

On a beach.

Australia House collaboration with Shuichiro Yoshida Architects.

[Images courtesy of Edwards Moore.]