In a sea of emerging architecture practices, it is sometimes hard to understand what sets some apart from others. Up To Something trace their origins from a love-story born on the Dulux Study Tour, now becoming a flourishing partnership in architecture and life. Madeline Sewall & Keith Westbrook have come together in more ways than one to create a life full of art, adventure and good design. Their newly launched practice – based in both Melbourne and Hobart – weaves their love of landscapes and art into the architecture they create.
Previously both directors at reputable architecture practices, their 21 years of combined experience spans various facets of architecture and place. Sewall’s career is bedded in a deep passion for low impact, high performing and lovable homes, while Westbrook’s is built off a strong history delivering significant projects across tourism and public sectors that very often amplify and foster connection to landscape.
Hiking, sailing and surfing their way through not only Australian terrain, but also the design landscape, the pair has developed an ethos that is shaped by people, place and imagination. “At its core, the studio combines curiosity with craft, intuition with intention, and creativity with care, creating architecture that feels thoughtful, joyful and meaningful,” they explain.
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Alongside architectural practice, the designers also run Cloudstone AiR, an artist residency located in the hills of Mangalore, Tasmania. Since becoming custodians of the property in 2024, the pair delved into restorative works to the 1970s home built by abstract painter, Anton Holzer, and its surrounding gallery, studio and gardens.
“It’s been such a fun exercise in exploring and enjoying what others have created, while making small moves that make the place feel like ours,” shares Sewall. “We love that [the existing building] is designed – spatially interesting, and crafted – yet unlike anything we would design ourselves,” adds Westbrook.
The designers ensured new interventions at Cloudstone were deliberately sympathetic to the existing home, while introducing small moments of personality that reflects the ethos of UTS.
Freestanding joinery units scattered throughout the residence create additional volumes in the home’s otherwise austere interior. The materiality was driven largely by the couple’s hands-on nature. “We worked with stained birch plywood [because it] was workable for us as a material to build with,” Westbrook notes, sharing how the majority of additions were constructed by the designers themselves.
“Engaging with artists through the residency at Cloudstone has been so energising for our creativity, friendships and lifestyle,” says Sewall, who is a budding artist in herself. The architect took a year off in 2025 to focus on her art, which created space for side projects that allowed the pair to quickly understand how much they enjoyed working together. Through formally opening the doors at Cloudstone AiR, “we have already started dreaming up some collaboration opportunities with artists,” shares Sewall, noting that it’s “something we are really interested in leaning into with our work – to bring that sense of craft and humanity into the work we are doing.”
On their desks currently are two coastal homes – one in Tasmania, and the other in Victoria. “There’s a big focus on materiality and craftsmanship, and connecting to these beautiful places,” shares Westbrook. These are balanced out with some smaller commercial projects that lean into aspects of public architecture and civic generosity that the designers both find exciting.
When dreaming of the future, it seems that both Sewall and Westbrook are hoping to find joy and elements of fun in their everyday delivery of architectural projects, while also fostering and celebrating – through architecture – their love for art and the broader Australian landscape. Up To Something acts as their springboard for a design practice that dips its fingers, and toes, into a world of curiosity, craft and care.
