Interview with Caroline Choker and Vince Alafaci of ACME&Co.

Oh. My. Gawd! How the hell am I supposed to introduce these two people to you? It feels like they are literally everywhere these days, and the chances are, if you live in Sydney, you’ve visited one of the many fine places they’ve designed at least once. And probably loved it. A lot. And whilst I usually steer clear of interview subjects who receive plenty of media attention elsewhere, and/ or continue to pick up a stack of design awards (I mean it’s not their fault – they are absolutely divine humans, crazy hard-working, wildly talented, aaaaaand hot to look at) I simply had to make an exception for this mighty design duo I ADORE!

I’m talking about Vince Alafaci and Caroline Choker of Sydney-based architecture and interior design studio ACME&Co, who are partners in life, work and crime. Like I said, I love these guys so much, plus there’s so much dirt I could dish on them, which is always a plus, but I totally can’t do that because they’d totally dish straight back on me. Because what happens at parties, stays at parties. Alas, I digress. What I’m trying to say is this – Caroline and Vince know how to have a good time, and it’s only natural they are absolutely awesome at designing spaces for guaranteed good times. I’m quite serious. I mean, can you imagine a couple of duds designing some of Sydney’s most thriving and exciting hospitality venues? Negative, captain. It takes a certain kind of switched-on, well versed, well travelled, brave and committed person who really gets human behaviour and the essence of good times, to orchestrate a space that hosts a perfect, well-balanced, layered and engaging experience.

But enough from me. Let’s hear it from these two legends who have, in a relatively short space of time in business together, built a seriously impressive profile. Despite the fact they completely suck at Instagram. Probably because they are too busy doing the work and don’t have to worry too much about marketing. Their work does that job for them. Massive respect.

FR E D’S Restaurant in Paddington. Photography by Felix Forest.

Caroline & Vince on site. Photo by Felix Forest.

+ Hello Caroline & Vince, welcome to Yellowtrace! Could you please give us a quick introduction on yourselves? When did you first become interested in the world of design and architecture? And what path lead you to starting your business?

Hello Yellowtrace!
Vince Alafaci – Architect, Male, 5’10’’, 42, Piscean.
Caroline Choker – Interior Designer, Female, 5’7’’, 38, Capricorn.
ACME&Co. – Multidisciplinary design firm, 4, Aquarian.
We’ve had similar life paths – we both grew up on construction sites with our fathers which nurtured our journey into the realm of Architecture and Design. It is engrained in our DNA.
We are partners in life, work and crime. Prior to meeting we both had individual design practices. During our first year together we constantly bounced ideas off each other about respective projects. A unique opportunity presented itself where we decided to collaborate together and ACME&Co formed organically thereafter. That was 4 years ago.

FR E D’S Bar in Paddington. Photography by Felix Forest.

+ What is your main priority when starting projects? Is there something that is fundamental to your practice – your philosophy and your process?

Alignment. It is fundamental to our practice that we resonate with our client’s, their vision and the project prior to accepting a commission. We think it is imperative to creating a prosperous relationship and ultimately the end result. Our longevity is based on the success of our projects.

+ How do you go about initiating projects – do you do this together or separately? You must find that your amazing partnership enriches your output, but is there ever a time when you drive each other crazy, or when designing or working together can be challenging?

Although we are from different disciplines, we collaborate on every aspect of our projects together to create a seamless holistic approach. Utilising each others strengths pushes any limitations we encounter on our projects. Yes, this is can be confronting at times, but we ensure that it the for the best of the project and never personal. We think that it is pretty remarkable what we have managed to achieve in such a short practice life together.

Charlie Parker’s. Photography by Felix Forest.

Archie Rose Distillery. Photography by Murray Fredericks.

+ How is your studio structured? How many of you work in the studio, what types of skills do you have in-house, and how many projects do you handle at any one time?

The studio comprises of an intimate team of five where there are no walls, no hierarchy and no boundaries. Our staff are like our family working together to create the same vision. Being perfectionists we retain control over every aspect of projects in house from conception through to construction. The number of projects fluctuates depending on their scale and complexity. Generally, we try not to engage on too many projects at the same time as we think this stifles the creative process.

Newly completed The Grounds of the City. Photography by Charlotte Curd.

+ How do you organise and manage the competing demands of modern business and life? Do you have any tip or tricks you could share with us that help you in your day to day?

This is a tricky one. We are still trying to figure out the work-life-balance thing which hasn’t been easy. If any readers have valuable tips on this, please share. Even though we try to manage all aspects of the business, we have surrendering to the fact this is unachievable. Therefore, we are engaging with experts and delegate aspects of the business such as HR, accounting, payroll. This ensures we are accountable, remain financially stable and focusing on our passion – the creative part.

Dewcape 2.0 office fitout. Photography by Charlotte Curd.

Fiftyfive5 office fitout. Photography by Michael Wee.

+ What do you feel is the most challenging part of being a designer/ architect today? And if you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

Most challenging, again would have to be the work-life-balance.
We believe there needs to be more cross pollination with our peers in the design realm, where valuable information and experience is an exchange. This could also lead to some dynamic collaborations – now that would be awesome.

The Incinerator. Photography by Michael Wee.

Flower Child. Photography by Charlotte Curd.

+ What are some of your methods to staying motivated, focused and expressive? And your top 3 main sources of inspiration and references you are drawn to regularly?

Travel is our passion and main source of inspiration. We definitely have the bug. Any opportunity and we are on a plane to explore cultures and places. Experiencing how we interact with design influences decisions that we make in our every day practice. There is a small piece of every journey within each of our projects.
And Yellowtrace of course!

+ What are some of your influences?

Travel, People, Art, Music and Culture, and not in that order.

The Grounds Bakery. Photography by Charlotte Curd.

The Potting Shed. Photography by Murray Fredericks.

+ What advice would you give to emerging designers who want to follow your path? What was one of your biggest lessons learned since starting your practice?

Working in the design realm is more than just a profession – it is a life. This is an endless journey of discovery where you will need to constantly challenge and be challenged. The words of the late Steve Jobs resonate with us: “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish”.
And the biggest lesson is that we are still learning.

+ What would be your dream creative project or a collaboration?

We have been fortunate to work on some inspiring projects together but the most rewarding will be our future house. That is definitely going to be an interesting collaboration.

The Grounds Cafe. Photography by Michael Wee.

+ What’s next – can you share with us your vision, some of your goals (and some of your current projects)?

Our dream is to explore the idea of undertaking our own projects, where we are client, developer and creative in one package. We also hope to start a family this year which would be our best collaboration to date.
Confidentially, we have recently been engaged on a commission which we believe will be a game changer in the Sydney dining scene, details to be revealed in time.