Emma Rees-Raaijmakers and Suzanne Green of Arque
The design philosophy of Sydney based architecture and interiors studio Arque is a simple one – design for the everyday, strive for the extraordinary. This idea has been the platform upon which Arque has been creating inherently beautiful spaces for the past seven years.
The key to success in business, as it is in life, is finding a passion and using it to forge positive relationships. Meet Emma Rees-Raaijmakers and Suzanne Green, the founding principals of Arque – an Australian architectural and interiors practice founded through a unique friendship and a collective passion for the creation of inspiring urban environments.
Emma and Suzanne initially worked together in the Kings Cross offices of renowned heritage architects Clive Lucas Stapleton in the 90’s. “Back then architecture was a completely different industry”, explains Emma. “Our work focused heavily on conservation and played a major role in teaching us the necessary principles of architectural design”. Emma and Suzanne credit these early days for allowing them to develop sharper architectural skills and for providing both of them with the key fundamentals for strong design. These days also signalled the beginning of a friendship which has now been thriving for over twenty-five years.
“Our friendship (and business for that matter) is built on honesty, collaboration, a lack of ego and most importantly a sense of humour”, elaborates Suzanne. “Our differing backgrounds and experiences working in design before founding Arque has meant that we each bring a different set of skills to the practice”. The concept for Arque had been in the works for a while before eventually being founded in 2012. Since that time, Arque has developed a strong portfolio of residential projects throughout the Sydney region. “We love making the brief work”, states Emma. “For us the client is always the key focus. We value client satisfaction over any award. Ultimately, we design a space that generates an overwhelmingly homely feeling for all those that set foot in it”.
Over the years Emma and Suzanne have developed Arque’s reputation for specialising in the design of contemporary residential architecture and interior design projects. The nature of their work has seen them tackle the numerous challenges associated with combining creative contemporary designs with the restoration of traditional Sydney architecture. “I wouldn’t say we have a set or specific design style”, clarifies Suzanne. “We like to be creative, with our projects evoking a sense of whimsical playfulness. With that said, we always value functionality over aesthetics”.
The design philosophy of Sydney based architecture and interiors studio Arque is a simple one – design for the everyday, strive for the extraordinary.
Arque’s underlining philosophy of ‘designing for the everyday’, means that each and every decision that Emma and Suzanne make throughout a project is intended to enrich the daily lives of the client through transformative design and architecture. An understated combination of functionality and beautification is where their playful creativity comes into being, in the process demonstrating how the studio ‘strives for the extraordinary’ in every project.
“We like to be creative, with our projects evoking a sense of whimsical playfulness. With that said, we always value functionality over aesthetics”.
With 2019 promising to be another important year for the studio, Emma and Suzanne have been busy putting in place measures that will ensure that this year is different from the last. Keen to keep moving forward through the process of innovation, Arque will be launching a new porcelain and ceramic tile range and several exciting new projects will be reaching completion – including a renovation of Emma’s family home.
The story of Arque may still be in its early stages but the narrative of Emma and Suzanne’s friendship has been developing long before the formation of the studio. Arque represents another chapter in the story of two dedicated professionals that have combined the lessons learnt from work, family and friendship in order to always strive for the extraordinary through design.
