Mark Simpson & Damien Mulvihill
Profile
We are an award-winning practice with extensive and diverse professional experience.
DesignOffice was established in 2008. Our team is experienced, dedicated and inquisitive, continually refining our approach to enhance project outcomes. The nature of our work is varied, applying design thinking to a wide range of project scales and typologies, frequently blurring boundaries between hospitality, retail, residential, commercial and institutional sectors.
The studio is led by Joint Creative Directors Mark Simpson and Damien Mulvihill, who have been honing a dynamic partnership and cultivating a shared vision for almost 20 years.
Creative Directors
Associates
- Alex Anderson
- Phoebe Baker-Gabb
- Lisa Chan
- Eliza Downes
- Louisa Macleod
- Tom Reid
Studio Team
- Kathleen Hoo
- Will Kelly
- Martina Muratori
- Kimberley Nydegger
- Tiia Viikilä
Approach
We draw on integrated architecture and design capabilities to bring a project’s full potential to life.
Across a diverse portfolio, our approach is tailored to individual briefs and specific client needs, always working to make everyday experiences intuitive, valuable and meaningful through design thinking.
Responding to project needs and inspired by existing fabric, we see opportunities shaped positively by their constraints. Three-dimensional rigour is our foundation, which we build upon with layers that enhance, soften or subvert according to the project aims.
Intelligent planning, thoughtful detailing and considered layering of materiality, texture and colour are recognisable threads through our work.
Expertise and Services
Our experience crosses disciplines, sectors and geographical borders. We combine our collective knowledge to enhance each and every project, delivering innovative outcomes for businesses, collectives and individuals.
The lasting value of our expertise is in unlocking the potential of space. We know how to work with and within complex teams, negotiating the needs of multiple stakeholders to help deliver projects successfully and collaboratively. Expanding on the core skillset of architecture and design, we see strategic consultancy and creative collaboration as a way to create impact in diverse sectors and at different scales.
Under the umbrella of Platform by DesignOffice we also create Brands in Built Form®, designing environments for brands in collaboration with others across multiple locations.
DesignOffice is a registered architectural practice in NSW and VIC.
Clients
- Australian Centre for the Moving Image
- Baker & McKenzie
- Bendigo Art Gallery
- Country Road Group
- Cult
- Grosvenor Place
- Kalex
- Milieu Property
- Moffitt.Moffitt
- Molonglo Group
- Mud Australia
- Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences
- NeoMetro
- Oscar Wylee
- Palace Cinemas
- Pirovich
- Small Batch
- Space Furniture
- Studio HiHo
- Studio Round
- Superette
- Tait
- The Company You Keep
- The Mulberry Group
Awards
- Project Award Category Year
- Handpicked Wines Melbourne Eat Drink Design Awards Best Retail Design Commendation 2022
- BYRDI Australian Interior Design Awards Hospitality Design Commendation 2021
- The Carringbush Australian Interior Design Awards Residential Design Commendation 2021
- Superette International Interior Design Excellence Awards International Category Highly Commended 2020
- Mastani Interior Design Excellence Awards Retail Category Winner 2019
- Tableau Interior Design Excellence Awards Object Category Highly Commended 2019
- DesignOffice Interior Design Excellence Awards Designer of The Year Winner 2018
- Peel by Milieu Interior Design Excellence Awards Multi-Residential Category Winner 2018
- Nau by Cult ICFF Awards Innovative Booth Design Winner 2018
- Nau by Cult DenFair Awards Best Large Stand Commendation 2017
- Handpicked Wines Cellar Door Eat Drink Design Awards Retail Design Highly Commended 2017
- Handpicked Wines Cellar Door Australian Interior Design Awards Hospitality Design Highly Commended 2017
- Higher Ground Australian Interior Design Awards Commercial Design_Best of State Winner 2017
- Higher Ground Australian Interior Design Awards Hospitality Design Winner 2017
- Higher Ground The Age Good Food Guide Awards Cafe of the Year Winner 2017
- Higher Ground Eat Drink Design Awards Best Restaurant Design Highly Commended 2016
- Higher Ground Eat Drink Design Awards Best Cafe Design Winner 2016
- Pop Down Bar Interior Design Excellence Awards Event Category Winner 2016
- Pop Down Bar Eat Drink Design Awards Best Temporary Design Highly Commended 2015
- Pop Down Bar Australian Interior Design Awards Installation Design Highly Commended 2015
- Filter Interior Design Excellence Awards Hospitality Category Highly Commended 2015
- Filter Australian Interior Design Awards Installation Design Highly Commended 2015
- Filter Eat Drink Design Awards Best Temporary Design Highly Commended 2014
- A.Baker Australian Interior Design Awards Commercial Design_Best of State Winner 2014
- A.Baker Eat Drink Design Awards Best Cafe Design Winner 2014
- A.Baker Eat Drink Design Awards Best Restaurant Design Highly Commended 2014
- A.Baker Eat Drink Design Awards Best Bar Design Highly Commended 2014
- A.Baker Interior Design Excellence Awards Hospitality Category Highly Commended 2014
- Nishi Display Suite Australian Interior Design Awards Commercial Design_Best of State Winner 2012