Make, Sydney: Collaborative, Optimistic, Exciting.

Launched just a year and a half ago, Make’s Sydney studio was set up on the back of its 27-storey office tower and retail, Wynyard Place. It went on to win more projects in the city including two heritage buildings forming the ‘Sandstone Precinct’ which will become high-end hotels, and the decision was made to build-up and grow the team there. “The growth has been quite organic,” says Partner Simon Lincoln. “We are responding to the work we are winning. We don’t have an upper or a lower size limit.” 

Located in a building which they are about to refurbish, the small office of just 20 people sits around a large central table which is surrounded by magnetic walls covered in their work. The culture of Make’s studio is really important to them. Staff were brought over from London initially to ensure that this wasn’t lost. They now make up around 70 per cent of the office and as the team has grown they have been joined by more local architects. “The office is very much a mirror of what we have in London. Beginning by moving staff over was important in transferring how we do things and our approach to design,” comments Lincoln. “It is about collaboration and for everyone to feel empowered to come forward with ideas. It is not about hierarchy – everyone rolls up their sleeves to get work done here.” 

Many of the elements of the London studio of Make have transferred over to Sydney including employee-ownership, openness, and the flat hierarchy. They continue to connect with the London studio – three-way meetings each week mean that London, Sydney and Hong Kong always know what each other is working on.  For Lincoln – who has worked in London, Dubai, China and now Sydney for Make – it is this model which allows the practice to set up offices abroad while keeping its culture. He comments: “The way we are structured allows us to set up and move to different countries in response to project opportunities. That freedom and flexibility is very exciting.”

Photo Credits: © Brett Boardman for Make Architects.