David Saunders at S2 design is a Melbourne architect who is happily embracing sustainable design practices by including recycled or recyclable materials; focusing on energy saving; and working around existing features wherever possible.
With an artist’s eye for detail, Saunders mixes slick modern finishes with quirky upcycling. As you can see from the old textbook wallpaper below no combination is too strange, and clients are loving his eclectic approach.
I was referred to David because a friend was raving about the clever recycling in the architect’s own home. It wasn’t finished at the time of writing but we had a look at some of his previous projects. (Note: We’ve now have David’s home written up here.)
Working with recycled materials requires a creative mind. It’s easy to slot precisely-machined, standard goods into conventional settings. Playing with unconventional or repurposed features demands more vision and more confidence.
I love that Australian designers are abandoning well-worn conventions and forging their own way. Let’s ditch the ‘little boxes made of ticky tacky…little boxes all the same’ and bring some individuality and soul to urban living.
Note: All images by S2 design reproduced with permission.
