Rokeby Street Studio

📷 Trevor Mein

Rokeby Street Studio

Our tactile studio transforms the industrial nature of the inner suburb.

As industries become global, generational change occurs, and cities increase density and use. Our studio is built around and within a former mid-twentieth century outpost of an English paint manufacturer.

We extended a thin sliver of space along one edge of the original building, creating a presence on the street that is both front door of the cafe at ground level and meeting spaces for the studio above. A perforated and corrugated zinc screen is both factory-like and highly wrought, both old and new, and the suggestion of studio activity behind is made visible.

At ground floor a fashion production house foregrounds the act of making and extending the traditions of industry. The two upper levels are dedicated to the industrious nature of our architectural practice.

The studio is on the first level, densely populated by staff, and a hive of activity and conversation. On the top floor, set beneath the original steel trusses and gable roof, a workshop space, quiet library, informal meeting, and kitchen connect with an external terrace with views across neighbouring rooftops.

The contrast of these two types of space allow for both intense focus and quiet contemplation. Our clients interact with both spaces, gaining an integrated understanding of the diversity of work undertaken across their projects.

Traditional Custodians of the land Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people
Client Wardle
Location Collingwood, Melbourne
Project Duration 2011 – 2012
Floor Levels 3
Floor Area 1620 sqm
Team John Wardle, Stefan Mee, Diego Bekinschtein, Andy Wong, Jeff Arnold, Paul HoldenJohn Wardle, Stefan Mee, Diego Bekinschtein, Andy Wong, Jeff Arnold, Paul Holden, Chloe Lanser, Lauren Holland, Aimee Goodwin, Naomi Brennan, James Loder
Selected Awards
Commendation for Commercial Architecture, AIA Victorian Chapter 2014
Commendation for Interior Architecture, AIA Victorian Chapter 2014
Commendation for Urban Design, AIA Victorian Chapter 2014

The contrast of the two types of spaces, on the first and second floor, allow for both intense focus and quiet contemplation.

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Our clients interact with both spaces, gaining an expansive understanding of the diversity of work undertaken across their projects.

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The project provides a balanced and respectful handling of the existing built fabric, creating a series of beautifully orchestrated volumes with a connecting thread that weaves through these spaces as elegantly resolved joinery elements, apertures and linings that add both delight and warmth.

Jury Citation – Interior Architecture Commendation

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Rusted steel planter boxes soften off the laneway with a landscape edge. The plants within combine 'urban weeds' with plants found in the 19th century workers cottages.

Entry to the Wardle studio has been shifted down the laneway, in through the ‘rear’ of the building.

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A rooftop kitchen garden provides edible produce and herbs for office lunches.

Lemon Middle & Orange

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Lemon Middle and Orange Cafe is named for the pigments offered by the former paint factory at this site. The cafe occupies the long sliver of space in what appears to have originally been a laneway space adjacent to the 3 storey brick building.

The project has re-lifted a neglected industrial building, and in doing so retains the building for future generations to appreciate. This gesture is significant on both a local heritage level, in retaining an industrial building which reflects the history of the area, and also on a sustainability level.