about us
art[e]fact workshop is the end result of a simple idea of being able to work under one name and be able to produce a range of "artefacts".
It is a concept that had its inception in 1992, after Nadia and Claudio had met whilst studying architecture at university. Many a discussion was had about starting a business together that would include not only architecture, but also whatever else took our fancy: graphics, book design, card making, paper folding, photography, jewellery, furniture, fashion... Some of these endeavours have been happening since then, outside of our day jobs (at separate architectural practices), but the time has come to get a bit more serious. It has taken 20 years, but here we are!
The word 'artefact' was selected very early on. To us it involved the designing/ making/ construction of things, and also the use/ adaption/ celebration of existing or found things. Breaking down the word - art [e] fact - also appealed, suggesting the combination of creative or conceptual [&] truth or reality.
However, by the time it took us to register a name and design a website, 'artefact' had already been taken. So 'art[e]fact workshop' was created. The word 'workshop' has its own interest, combining work and shop (our intent all along), and suggests a hive of activity around the physical constructing of things.
art[e]fact workshop is unashamedly both a professional and a personal endeavour. So much of its inception has been tied up in our family life. Our children, Gabriel and Siena, have been subjected to client meetings and site visits (always held on weekends due to daytime work commitments). They have been party to design discussions over a coffee (or a milkshake) on Saturday mornings. They have contributed designs to our t shirt business (who can beat a child's drawing). Gabriel has also been instrumental in setting up the website. So much of our inspiration comes from shared family experiences: overseas travel, visits to architectural wonders, art galleries, local and overseas markets.
Nadia Brogan Aravena
Born: Sydney, Australia
Architecture in her blood: She grew up with an architect father, uncle & grandfather and an interior designer/colourist mother. Married an architect. She studied architecture alongside her sister (who also married an architect). Now working on getting kids to follow the same path.
Studied: B.Arch UNSW 1995 (Hons 1)
Work:
> Hayball (2018 - current)
> Cox Architecture (2017-2018)
> Government Architects Office (1992 - 2016)
Likes: Photography, listening to music, people-watching, preferably whilst sitting in coffee shops, scouring markets and etsy for unique fashion & 'artefacts' and getting deliberately lost in foreign cities.
Claudio Aravena MesÃas
Born: Santiago, Chile
Childhood: Moved to Australia at age 9. He grew up in the Northern Beaches of Sydney, though he cannot surf.
Studied: B.Arch UNSW 1995 (Hons)
Work:
> Artefact Workshop (2019-current)
> UTS Insearch / UTS (2019-current)
> Warren and Mahoney (2018 - 2019)
> Cox Architecture (1999 - 2018)
> Mirvac (1998 - 1999)
> Cox Richardson (1995 - 1998)
> Neville Gruzman (1994)
> Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (1991 - 1992)
Likes: Resolving interesting facade details. Crafting details and exploring the city I live in through drawing.