This week we had the pleasure of speaking with the incredible Melanie Beynon – Direct & Owner of Melanie Beynon Architecture and Design. This award-winning studio not only has an impressive catalogue of high-profile residential, retail and hospitality projects but is breaking ground in its design of holistic and integrative wellness spaces. We sat down with Melanie to discuss the Australian interior industry, holistic designs & her recent wellness project – Mirosuna.
1. In the past decade, we’ve noticed a number of projects investing in designs that increase consumer interaction within a space. During your extensive design & architecture career have you witnessed a shift in the client perspective when it comes to interior design? Are Australian projects placing a higher value on design consideration? Right now, the quality / attention to detail that can be afforded in Australia at varying budgets and scope is staggering. We are blessed with opportunity for all new houses and commercial ventures. Nothing holds Australian back from designing and aspiring for better.
2. Holistic designs have been taking the medical sector by storm. For those unfamiliar with this design approach, what is wellness design & why are health spaces transforming their facilities to incorporate holistic elements? Research shows that our home and work environments can positively or negatively affect our wellbeing. Wellness design offers a holistic approach to help support the physical, psychological and spiritual need of building occupants. We find that the best interior designs and architecture practices are grounded in good planning and wellness principles that foster health, balance and harmony. Therefore, the medical sector is choosing to adopt this approach to further improve their client’s sense of wellbeing, reduce stress levels, accidents, headaches and high blood pressure. At Melanie Beynon Architecture & Design we do this through the use of natural materials, soft form, muted tones and the consideration of light & airflow.
3. Your team recently completed Mirosuna, a mindfulness & meditation studio in Melbourne. It’s a beautiful example of how you can create a space that physically, mentally and emotional nurtures an individual’s wellbeing. How did you create such a highly customised design for your client Sally Kellett? Sally’s vision was very clear and the execution was a concentrated version of her aspirations for her brand. We worked hard in instil her functional and atmospheric requirements. Acoustics / Repose / Community. Aural control in the built environment – within the spaces and from outside. A retreat from the greater world outside and opportunity to then relax the mind via a like-minded supporting community.
4. Unita recently completed the Eden Health Retreat in Queensland. This experience was highly rewarding and was vital in shaping our understanding of how wellness spaces can perfectly interact with their natural surroundings – having also completed a wellness retreat, Willow Urban Retreat, what key lessons did your team take away from this project? Our takeaway was that ambitious & visionary projects + clients are a recipe for a great project results.
Hand Sketch on paper or iPad Pro – combine manual with digital for best and efficient communication
Morning person but I’m guilty of working into 9pm…promise to turn off in 10 mins.
Definitely spring cleaner – I share a small to medium size house with 4 people and a cat. I have to purge regularly!
My children…
Whisky
Roof Lights
Hard one – I believe that most things can be reinterpreted
6. Finally, what’s next for Melanie Beynon, any exciting projects on the horizon? New Wellness Venture in Melbourne and Byron Bay.