Studio Wake is a design studio devoted to crafting exquisite residences for exceptional clients.
Each commission is approached as a singular opportunity to craft something quietly remarkable. We draw from the natural world - particularly showcasing its textures and rhythms while composing around it with order, symmetry and reason. The result is a harmony between the organic and the intentional: spaces that feel grounded and yet transcendent. At Studio Wake, selection is deliberate, detail is sacred and every home is a study in meaningful restraint.
Studio Wake
Curiosity is a word I identify with. When I was a kid, I enjoyed exploring. There weren’t any limits - other than my attention. At home, when things became stagnant, my curiosity would take me somewhere. Once I had finished wrestling a sock off the family dog, Bob, I would sketch a concept for a rock climbing car. After a sausage sandwich in the garden shed, which inevitably involved a bench vice or an axe, it was time for “air rifle vs food” - all documented with a camera for later analysis of course. In one afternoon, I had discovered the elastic limitations of 70pc cotton 30pc polyester socks, refined my concept for the “Rock Racer” and determined that eggs are more satisfying to shoot than apples - or even carrots. But carrots are more satisfying to squish in a vice!
Then my brother became old enough to participate. Suddenly I had a partner in crime and this made things much more interesting. Twice as much curiosity, courage and creativity. I won’t lie, it landed us into a fair bit of trouble at times. I remember taking the air rifle into next-door’s farm and chasing pheasants through crop fields: While the exhilaration was worth every bit of the bollocking we received from our father, I learned a more permanent lesson - I do not like killing things - apart from mosquitos. When we tied James’ scooter to the back of my bicycle during the summer holidays, we learned another rather painful lesson: That my 5 year old brother’s face was no match for tarmac.
I suppose most people would call this playing. And all kids do that if they can… Perhaps thats the key to most kids’ happiness. But we seem to lose that as adults.
I’M OLI
Life can burden us to the point where we lose touch with our playful and imaginative selves. Concerns can render us afraid and inhibited. And disconnected from the present. Priorities, perhaps influenced by our surroundings, can blinker us. In any case, it is not uncommon for us to lose our direction: what gives our lives meaning. I find learning and discovering, or playing, very meaningful indeed. Responsibilities, of course, prevent me from ‘playing’ all the time; even give me direction. But there is plenty of space within the parameters of a responsible life to play.
I won’t lie, I am automatically competitive and demanding on myself. When combined with a keen curiosity, I am developing a competence at acquiring new skills and information. It is this that I find invaluable in a life where I am starting to realise that I have little control over. Competence equips me to better adapt to change. While society seems to advocate excellence in a single field, I find this very inhibitive from the point of creativity. Diversity is key to fresh ideas and approaches. After all, photography can inform ideas in architecture; carpentry can generate inspiration for interior design. But, most importantly - a stimulated mind is the most creative… Nothing on this entire planet sounds more mind numbingly soul destroying than ten thousand hours’ worth of practicing the same damn thing - and ‘Outliers’ by Malcom Gladwell was a number one best seller for three months’ straight!
I suppose the point I am trying to make is - I see things differently and I care. This is what makes me great at what I do.
Design Matters. Good architecture improves our lives without us even noticing. Often we can’t place why a space works well; or why it feels good. ‘Why wouldn’t it be like that?’ - we might even ask ourselves… and that’s when we even have the time to give it some of our precious attention.
In fact, a well designed space can often be taken for granted completely; along with the dedication, knowledge and skill required to complete it. The fact is, not one of us who interact with a space will obsess over it anywhere near as much as its creator. The closest we get is when it comes to the design of our own homes.
THEN it matters. Clients vary dramatically when it comes to level of involvement in the creation of their very own homes. But they all care. And when emotion dictates a project, it can become far less predictable. Consequently, these projects are often the the most engaging and stimulating. Direction changes last minute. Bits are added, revised, taken away in the spur of the moment. Stone cladding is changed to timber, three bedrooms merge together to form a ‘games room’ and an 8 car garage suddenly needs to accommodate 16. Budgets can halve; they can double. The time frame can fluctuate. All of this does bring challenges. However, when the project is complete and the client is taken aback by what we have created together, there is nothing more rewarding. And the more collaborative the project is between client and designer, the more meaningful the experience.
Studio Wake welcomes this challenge. The more a project is challenging the more fulfilling the achievement. Challenge helps me grow and improve while creating unique and exquisite spaces is what I live for.
