Rothelowman Perth Studio by Rothelowman

Rothelowman’s new Perth studio breaks all office rules, presenting a human-centred space where local craft, personal stories and sustainable design come together.

Design practice Rothelowman has unveiled its new Perth studio at 190 St Georges Terrace, designed to celebrate local identity and the human experience. Occupying Level 8 of the OneNinety building, the studio strengthens Rothelowman’s presence in Western Australia while reflecting the practice’s national collective.

The design is described as “a deliberate expression of Western Australian identity: warm, tactile, and unmistakably of its place, harmoniously translating local culture and craft into the everyday rituals of design.”

At the heart of the project is The Beautiful Plan, a framework guiding the practice’s approach. “Here, we were working within an existing fabric – so the challenge became how to adapt and shape it in a way that reflects who we are, while celebrating the character of the building,” says Rothelowman principal Kylee Schoonens and senior associate Martina Lofflerova.

“For us, The Beautiful Plan is a plan that’s organized, human-centred and deeply connected to its place and a has a magic – a special moment tailored on for the place.”

Breaking from traditional office conventions, the studio replaces corridors and reception desks with an open, flexible layout anchored by a collaborative central hub. “Wherever you stand, you can always see people, creativity and collaboration unfolding around you,” Schoonens says. The space is designed to shift away from corporate formality toward something more human, making the act of design visible in everyday practice.

“For Perth, we wanted to find a palette that truly represents Western Australia, but also feels fresh, playful, and a little unexpected. We looked to the beautiful hues of jarrah, native to Western Australia and the soft blues of the city’s expansive skies for inspiration. The colour palette was selected to challenge the traditional tones of the workplace — the endless neutrals, whites, and greys of the typical corporate interior,” says Schoonens and Lofflerova.

Visitors are welcomed by a custom-made jarrah front door and a hand-crafted vintage jarrah bench, originally created by Rothelowman principal Kylee Schoonens’ grandfather and repurposed by her father. “Jarrah represents local craftsmanship and authenticity,” Schoonens explains. “It’s also deeply personal. Working with jarrah has always been part of my family’s story, and that legacy influenced our material choices and grounds the studio in something that feels truly of this place.”

At the centre of the studio sits the Viking Table, hand-crafted by local joiners, serving as a social and creative anchor. Around it, the planning encourages a natural rhythm between focused and collaborative zones, allowing the team to move seamlessly between design reviews, client workshops and informal catch-ups.

Schoonens and Lofflerova said: “The building itself is one of the tallest solid brick commercial buildings in Perth, so we decided to peel back the plaster and expose the original brickwork in the meeting rooms. It wraps from the exterior right through to the interior, giving the studio a beautiful sense of continuity.”

Every aspect of the studio’s design — from the precise joinery alignments and ceiling junctions to the locally sourced material palette — was carefully chosen to embody authenticity, sustainability and design excellence, creating a space that feels naturally conducive to creativity.

This article was originally published by Cassie Hansen in ArchitectureAu