Discover the journey of Kim Kneipp Studio, from fashion to sustainable interior design, and explore how a collaborative and hands-on approach creates meaningful, personalized spaces.
In Practice
Kim Kneipp
Melbourne, Australia2024-09-05
Can you describe the founding story of the studio and the core mission that drives your work?
The founding story of our studio is deeply rooted in a personal journey of transformation and a commitment to sustainable practices. Originally a fashion designer, I found myself disillusioned with the high consumption prevalent in the fashion industry. At a time when the term "sustainable fashion" was not yet commonplace, I started a business using a sustainable approach by delving into people's wardrobes. I would teach them how to cleanse, edit, curate and re-organise their wardrobes, and alter their clothes with my sewing kit. Sometimes showing up with a drill and actually building new wardrobes for them, this evolved into clients asking me to rearrange the furniture in their houses.
As my passion for rearranging spaces grew, I transitioned from personal styling to styling people's homes, incorporating my love for furniture rearrangement as a form of meditation. This transition led me to incredible opportunities, including working on an eco retreat and contributing to the wellness spaces at Peninsula Hot Springs over a transformative nine years.
During this period, I engaged in intensive on-the-job training, collaborating with architects, builders, plumbers, electricians, hydronics experts and joiners (to name a few!). This support network helped translate my ideas into reality, providing invaluable lessons on the practicalities of design. The experience also involved an insane amount of study and research, allowing me to evolve my skills in real-time on real projects.
Upon establishing my own studio, I discovered that my hands-on training had equipped me with a wealth of knowledge that surpassed any imposter syndrome I might have felt as a self-taught interior designer. Even with limited formal training, my curiosity and openness to learn - proved to be a guiding principle. As I expanded the studio and began hiring a team, I emphasised the importance of surrounding ourselves with experts, remaining open to learning, and embracing professional, optimistic problem-solving
The core mission that drives our work is rooted in curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to sustainable and thoughtful design. We acknowledge that it's okay not to have all the answers, and we continue to foster an environment where learning, sharing knowledge and collaboration are celebrated. In an industry where challenges are inevitable, our outlook as professional optimists and problem solvers keeps us motivated and moving forward, especially in an industry where if anything can go wrong, it invariably will!
“Integral to our workflow are programs like SketchUp, Programa and AutoCAD. Though we maintain a hands-on ethos, these tools have become essential to our process.”
Kim KneippDesign Director
How would you describe your studio's culture and working environment?
Our studio is a small, tightly-knit team consisting of three full-time members. Despite our modest size, we share a unique and close bond. Our work week, more akin to four days, reflects our commitment to a balanced lifestyle.
The culture within our studio is akin to a safe space, where we laugh a lot (possibly sometimes too much). We're aware that our giggles often echo through our shared warehouse, drawing smiles from neighbouring studios. Our team is united not only by our professional pursuits but also by shared interests and hobbies. We’re all nature girls, who love op shopping and trawling Facebook Marketplace, while also sharing similar ways of winding down.
Diversity in skills is a key aspect of our team dynamic. While we share common interests – our individual strengths and aesthetics contribute to a collaborative environment. This diversity sparks challenges, discussions, and mutual inspiration – enriching our collective creative journey.
Our workspace in Brunswick East adds another layer to our creative tapestry. Housed in an old sportswear factory, our studio is part of a vibrant community of creative businesses and artists. The building, yet to be redeveloped into multi-residential apartments; boasts a mix of graphic designers, filmmakers, interior designers, architects, ceramic artists, textile artists, lighting designers, and jewellers. The dynamic of the building fosters a warm environment where creativity flourishes.
The dynamic of our workspace extends beyond our studio walls. In the communal kitchen, we gather around the proverbial water cooler (a boiling kettle) and exchange stories. The building serves as a hub for creative minds, and we revel in the excitement of sharing invitations to each other's openings and projects. Being part of a community of passionate creatives dedicated to the local community adds an extra layer of inspiration to our work.
“The integration of Programa into our studio operations has been a significant step toward enhancing project management efficiency.”
Kim KnieppDesign Director
How do you choose the projects you work on, and what are your criteria for selection?
Selecting projects is a deliberate process for our studio, where we like to balance a range of commercial, residential and health and wellness projects. Recently, we had the pleasure of delving into an office fit-out project, adding another layer of diversity to our portfolio. Maintaining this symmetry is an ongoing challenge, as the nature of design projects often involves unpredictable timelines and workflow dynamics.
A key criteria in our selection process is finding clients whose values align with ours. Our projects are not just about aesthetics; they are deeply rooted in emotion and empathy. Each project has a narrative or sentiment that builds the foundation for our design approach. Over time, we've learned the importance of saying no to projects that don't resonate with our values or where the requirements don't align with budget constraints or time expectations.
Our favourite clients are those who bring a combination of deep trust, an appreciation for our aesthetic and see the value in our work. They may not always articulate their preferences clearly upfront, but possess a keen understanding of what resonates with them when they see it, and an openness to explore new and exciting options. We welcome the challenge of stepping out of our initial presentations to interpret and meet their unique needs. While these projects may sometimes be longer or more nuanced, it is incredibly rewarding helping a client express a part of themselves that they haven't previously known how to articulate
Ultimately, our selection process is driven by a commitment to meaningful collaboration, where shared values, aesthetic appreciation, and the opportunity to contribute to our clients' self-expression form the guiding principles in shaping our diverse and rewarding portfolio.
What role does collaboration play within your studio, and how do you foster it?
Collaboration is not just a feature; it's the heartbeat of our design process. Within our studio, we've intentionally nurtured and sustained ongoing relationships with artisans and craftsmen across various industries — painters, florists, joiners, cabinet makers, furniture makers, upholsterers, and more. Each collaboration extends beyond transactional interactions; it's a continuous dialogue that evolves over time.
These relationships form a symbiotic connection where our styles and visions harmonise effortlessly. The beauty lies in the mutual understanding we've cultivated; allowing us to interpret each other's styles with confidence and trust, knowing that the outcome will seamlessly align with the project's brief. Our extensive network, akin to a wonderful Black Book of trades and collaborators, serves as a testament to the diverse talents we bring together.
As we continue to expand this network, each project gains additional layers of depth and expertise. Confidence in our outcomes grows with every collaboration, and we find ourselves delivering results that not only meet but often exceed expectations. Our collaborative ethos is not just about completing projects; it's about creating a tapestry of creativity where each contributor adds a unique thread, weaving a story that goes beyond the initial brief.
Fostering a collaborative environment is about maintaining open lines of communication, valuing and respecting the input of each contributor, and recognising that the sum of our collective efforts – far surpasses what any one individual or discipline could achieve alone. This collaborative spirit is not just a process; it's a commitment to elevating our work through the diversity of talents and perspectives that collaboration brings to the forefront.
“Programa has significantly elevated our client communications by introducing a streamlined and transparent platform for collaboration.”
Kim KneippDesign Director
Each of our projects is a personalised response to the unique personality and existing collections of our clients. Through conversations about their lifestyle preferences, we delve into the client's aspirations, allowing us to craft designs that not only reflect their individuality but also seamlessly integrate with the way they live.
The beauty of our approach lies in turning design solutions into double-barrel solutions. This means that every element we introduce serves both a form and function. We believe that each item should contribute to a larger purpose, offering a sense of hidden luxury or space-saving ingenuity. This dual-purpose philosophy adds an element of delight and surprise to the user experience, creating spaces that not only look aesthetically pleasing but also enhance the functionality of the environment.
By understanding the client's needs, we can strike a balance between creativity and functionality, ensuring that our designs not only capture their unique essence but also serve a practical purpose in enhancing their daily lives. The result is a harmonious blend of artistic expression and purposeful design that goes beyond mere aesthetics.
While our studio doesn't position itself at the vanguard of new technology and consider ourselves more analog and hands-on – engaging with materials, and physically moving furniture and objects. Despite a slight resistance to full technological immersion, we recognise the value that certain tools bring to our design process.
Integral to our workflow are programs like SketchUp, Programa and AutoCAD. Though we maintain a hands-on ethos, these tools have become essential to our process. They facilitate seamless interactions with suppliers and clients, aiding internal problem-solving sessions. While our reliance on hand sketches may have diminished, our adeptness at working in 3D and creating quick visualisations has enhanced our communication and problem-solving capabilities.
Staying abreast of new tools often involves following other practices on social media, and networking within the design community. While we may not be early adopters of every emerging technology, we recognize the importance of staying informed to ensure that our design process remains dynamic and responsive to evolving needs.
Sustainability is a fundamental aspect deeply woven into the fabric of our design practice. We don't explicitly refer to it as sustainability, it's simply business as usual. Our approach involves forging a deep connection between historical and vintage sourced objects already existing in the world, alongside supporting small local businesses and makers.
Our belief is rooted in the idea that designing solutions that don’t follow trends and fads, while integrating a historical narrative of context and place, inherently embodies sustainability. By creating designs that resonate with the unique story of an individual, a site, and its historical context, we establish a connection that goes beyond the immediate. This connection fosters longevity and comfort, allowing individuals to grow within their spaces over time.
For us, sustainability isn't a standalone consideration; it's an integral part of our commitment to creating designs that endure, both aesthetically and ethically. It's about consciously making choices that contribute to a lasting and meaningful impact on the environment, supporting local economies, and enhancing the overall well-being of those who inhabit the spaces we design.
A defining aspect of our studio's practice lies in the seamless integration of vintage materials and highly detailed bespoke joinery. This combination represents the sweet spot of our approach, creating a signature touch that distinguishes our work. We find that the marriage of aged, storied materials with meticulously crafted joinery not only adds character but also tells a unique narrative within each space.
Our commitment to using natural materials further contributes to the distinctiveness of our practice. Working with natural materials that age, patina and bloom, choosing paints that breathe, is a deliberate choice. We combine this with interior plantscaping, adding a dynamic layer to our spaces, creating an environment that feels connected to the natural world.
How has integrating Programa into your studio operations impacted your project management efficiency, especially regarding workflow and task scheduling?
The integration of Programa into our studio operations has been a significant step toward enhancing project management efficiency. However, we acknowledge that we are yet to harness the full capacity of Programa, specifically in terms of understanding the workflow and task scheduling modules within the program.
As we look ahead to 2024, our goal is to dedicate time to exploring the various features of Programa. We believe that a deeper understanding of these modules has the potential to greatly enhance productivity and streamline our workflow. Given the demands of a rapidly growing studio, we recognise the importance of leveraging technology to optimise our project management processes.
“Programa has been instrumental in streamlining the specification process in our recent projects, offering tangible benefits to our workflow.”
Kim KneippDesign Director
Can you share any specific examples where Programa has streamlined the specification process in your recent projects?
Programa has been instrumental in streamlining the specification process in our recent projects, offering tangible benefits to our workflow. One specific example involves the transition from using Excel for our FF&E schedules to utilising Programa's industry-specific formatting. This shift has dramatically increased efficiency, allowing for real-time collaboration and adjustments within our team.
The client dashboard feature has played a crucial role in the specification process. Clients can seamlessly approve or reject finishes, providing immediate feedback and clarity on their preferences. While initially, concerns were raised about the inability to change responses, we have found this limitation to be beneficial for managing variations and maintaining a documented record of changes throughout the project.
The introduction of the client portal within Programa has transformed the specification process. This shared space facilitates a broader collaborative stakeholder group, enabling clients to be more actively involved in decision-making. The inclusivity and transparency offered by Programa has streamlined the specification process, providing a more efficient and organised approach to managing project details.
In what ways has Programa enhanced your client communications, and do you feel it has added value to your client relationships?
Programa has significantly elevated our client communications by introducing a streamlined and transparent platform for collaboration. The client dashboard feature has been particularly impactful, allowing clients to approve and reject finishes with ease. While initially, concerns were raised about the inability to change responses, we have come to appreciate this feature as it fosters clarity and documentation of decisions.
The transparency and efficiency brought about by Programa have undoubtedly added significant value to our client relationships. Clients appreciate the clarity, organisation, and inclusiveness that Programa brings to the design process, ultimately strengthening our collaborative partnerships.
