Office S&M

Unexpected and uplifting. This AJ 40 under 40 studio celebrates colour, materiality, and narratives of the everyday in their homes.

Recognised for their vibrant but balanced palettes and bold choices, Office S&M are driven by the desire to create reciprocal landmarks, rather than architecture that is overly polite to its context. The result? Buildings that are full of character. Just look at Mo-tel House – all pastel hues, bursts of primary colour – and the extension added to Valetta House, clad in rounded cedar shingles. This project in particular won the 2018 NLA Don’t Move, Improve! Best use of materials award.

Formed in 2013 by Catrina Stewart and Hugh McEwen, with the aim of putting playfulness and joy back into architecture. Rejecting default responses – this practice vows not to use bricks – their experimental approach is reshaping the potential of architecture to elevate both the lives of their clients and their surrounding landscapes. Taking on a maximum of two projects at a time, clients will receive the full attention of one of the Office S&M partners. During each project, they work closely with a network of craftspeople, builders and fabricators and oversee the project to completion.