Mitsuori Architects is a design-led practice based in Melbourne founded by Directors Melissa Lim and Matthew Murfett in 2008.

After working with world renowned architectural practices spanning award winning residential, commercial, hospitality and education projects through to major public and master planning projects in Australia, UK, Europe and the USA; Melissa and Matt created Mituori Architects "to explore the craft of architecture on a personal scale”.

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LUXURY LIST spoke to Melissa and Matt about how the practice continues its exploration of architecture.

What does Mitsuori mean?

In literal terms Mitsuori means Threefold, a Japanese word that referring to the folding of paper to present a gift. The number three references a minimal approach that distils elements into its key components to create something that is beautiful yet considered. Mitsuori's definition as a gift is also relevant to our work. We see the buildings we design as something we create that is given over to our clients and community to enjoy and inhabit.

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Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

It is difficult to say who has been the biggest influence as the breadth of work we have undertaken ranges from large scale commercial to small scale residential work and many things in between. I would say that a strong influence, regardless of scale or project type, is a focus on design that brings together and distils all the different aspects of a project into a simple and elegant design solution.

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How would you describe your architectural aesthetic?

Our architectural aesthetic is contemporary and often minimal but always incorporates natural materials and textures to create spaces that are inherently comfortable and habitable.

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What do you enjoy most about your profession?

The most enjoyable thing about architecture is the fact that every client, site and project is unique and comes with its own set of challenges. Design is as much about intuition as it is problem solving. Good architecture relies on the contribution of so many individuals. When it all comes together there is a sense of camaraderie and achievement that makes it all worthwhile.

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What advice would you give to new clients?

Focus on understanding what will work for you and your situation regardless of what is ‘on trend’. At a fundamental level we always try to understand how our clients want to experience and use the spaces we design for them. The design and construction process is often long and challenging so there needs to be a solid foundation for design that will lead to a good built outcome. The most satisfying thing as an architect is to get to the end of that journey and know that both you and the client love what has been created.

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Mitsuori Architects "desire to create buildings that are respectful of the past, reflective of the present and robust for the future." With today’s focus on sustainability, what trends do you see emerging in architecture?

We see clients becoming more and more discerning about what they want or need and what they would like to achieve through the design process. More often than not they are wanting longevity of design and spaces that are flexible enough to be used in different ways as families grow or circumstances change. The same applies to the form and materials used in buildings, as the focus is shifting towards design that responds intuitively to the natural environment and materials that are inherently robust and long-lasting.

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What influence do you think Covid will have on architecture and design?

I think Covid has encouraged clients (particularly in the residential sector) to re-consider how their buildings can and need to be inhabited. Something as simple as the flexible use of spaces and the ability to combine or separate spaces has become very important as people have had to adapt to everchanging circumstances.

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The other important consideration is a focus on the quality of spaces, how we experience them and their impact on our wellbeing. For this reason I think it has become evident to many that quality architecture and design plays a vital role in creating habitable spaces that influence how we feel and experience the day to day.

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What is the most interesting brief you’ve been given by a client?

A magician’s lair!

Did you take on the project?

Absolutely – just to find out what really goes on in a magician’s lair!

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What advice would you give to a newly graduated Architect or someone thinking about Architecture as a career?

There are so many different aspects to architecture that you will always be challenged, no matter how long you have been in the industry. It is a fantastic career for those who don’t want to stay still.

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Where do you live now, and where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?

We live in Melbourne’s inner north. Many years ago we thought we would move elsewhere but over the years and through numerous lockdowns we have discovered we live in an amazing and diverse community that really is home. Having said that, it would be fantastic to live for periods of time in different places around the world just to experience other communities and cultures. I suspect we would still always return here to our little part of the world.

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