Fibre and Chord
'We are so excited to be at this stage and to see the vision come to life. This is going to be life changing for us and our little family, so thank you for everything you have done to design the studio'.
Kara - client and paper artist.
Photos: …coming very soon!
Fibre and Chord is an art and music studio designed by Skein, carefully embedded within a steeply sloping site surrounded by dense native South Australian vegetation. Conceived as a place of focused making and creative retreat, the studio is both grounded in its landscape and deliberately set apart from it, responding to the topography with a light yet assured architectural presence. The building negotiates the slope through considered placement rather than dominance, allowing the natural contours and existing flora to remain the primary visual and environmental force on the site.
Given the location within a high bushfire risk zone, the siting of the studio was a critical driver of the design process. Skein undertook careful analysis of setbacks, access, and defendable space, positioning Fibre and Chord in close proximity to the existing residence while maintaining appropriate separation from the residence and the site’s dense vegetation. Material choices, construction methods, and landscape interfaces were all informed by bushfire requirements, resulting in a building that balances resilience and safety with a calm, crafted architectural expression.
Skein worked closely with the client to shape the layout, circulation, and functional relationships within the studio. The design supports both visual art practice and music-making, accommodating differing acoustic, spatial, and environmental needs while maintaining a cohesive internal flow. Movement through the studio is intuitive and purposeful, with the singular space organised in order to einforce the studio’s role as a flexible and deeply personal creative environment.
The practice’s previous experience delivering projects for artists proved invaluable throughout the design process. This understanding allowed Skein to guide the client through key decisions around spatial proportion, light, storage, and co-location of noisy and quiet activities. Rather than imposing preconceived solutions, the architecture emerged from dialogue, trust, and a shared understanding of how creative work is experienced, nurtured, and sustained over time.
Once fully documented, a builder with suitable experience and a strong eye for detail was engaged to deliver the project. The precision of the documentation enabled a high level of craftsmanship, ensuring that the subtle relationships between structure, landscape, and interior spaces were faithfully realised on site. The completed Fibre and Chord studio stands as a carefully considered response to place, risk, and creative practice - an architecture shaped as much by collaboration as by context.
Architecture: Skein
Engineering: Magryn
Construction: Eichner Constructions