What is the value of creativity? The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development predicted in 2021 that the creative economy could represent 10 per cent of global GDP before 2030. Locally, the Australian creative industries (which include architecture, design and craft) comprise eight per cent of the country’s total employment, according to a Deloitte study. The value, then, is enormous.
For this issue of Habitus, we look at creative spaces, and through the exploration of problem-solving and design, we see the tangible impact that creativity can have on the way we live. From adaptive reuse to innovative ways of making that honour age-old techniques, each of the stories in this issue highlights different kinds of design thinking and innovation.
We step inside the renovated mid-century home of two architects. We also visit the home and office of Andrew Jensen and Emma Fox, the gallerists behind Fox Jensen to learn about their journey through the art world and the pieces they’ve collected along the way.
In our feature section, we look at three seemingly different examples of creative problem solving from around the Indo Pacific; and also visit the home of architect Andrew Child in Fitzroy, which extends into a laneway to create a multi-purpose, futureproofed and adaptable response.
The residences included are of equal note, a shophouse-inspired home in Singapore for an art and ceramic collector; a breathtaking house that appears as a sculpture rising from the ground by Wood Marsh; and a small but perfectly suitable rainforest cabin tucked away as a total retreat in the Gold Coast hinterland.
I hope after reading and absorbing the incredible design and ideas on these pages you feel inspired. Feel free to reach out with questions or comments at [email protected].