Picó are huge, hand-painted fluorescent speaker stacks, often found blasting tropical music in the neighbourhoods of cities such as Barranquilla, Cartagena and Santa Marta.

EL GRAN MONO is Melbourne’s own Picó, painted by the great Colombian sound system artist William “El Maestro” Gutierrez and the first of it’s kind in the world to be built outside of Colombia.

BRIEF / The team at El Gran Mono required 16 column speakers to be built to pair with the main Picó, adding these extra speakers being a momentous upgrade, transforming the system to an even rarer configuration known as a ‘Turbo Picó’. To achieve this they required 16 ‘way loud’ column speakers redesigned and converted to match the authentic profiles, finishes, and materials that Picó systems are famous for. Most important among these considerations and design challenges was suitably showcasing the iconic Picó artwork in a removable frame, while maintaining a screw less fitting method and finish to the facade.

The authenticity of the end product for this project was of the utmost importance, as conserving, promoting, and honoring the traditions of Picó culture is Tom and Josh’s (El Gran Mono founders) guiding principle in everything they do.

MOONLIGHT (The Moon Lamp) was inspired by a dream.

An Octagonal pyramid made from recycled teak rotates on an octagonal laminated base, the 8 faces of the pyramid depict each lunar phase observable from the Southern Hemisphere.

Rotating the pyramid through each of the 8 phases activates a magnetic gate housed in the base, independently illuminating each moon in sequence via a dedicated led bulb within every hand painted moon model. Each moon is viewed through it’s own perspex porthole.

Built from reclaimed timber, fiber glass, spare parts, magnetic gate switches, broom handles, table tennis balls, copper plant pot off cuts, and the benefit of not knowing any better. Many technical elements for this piece had to be designed and fabricated from scratch, as almost every one of these components were either not commercially available, or simply did not exist.

This Octaganol window was built to replace a smaller rotting wooden window frame in a studio workspace, the goal was to dramatically improve the natural light and air flow in the workspace with a visually impactful option, something with more soul than a mass produced prefabricated option.

THE WIZARD’S GATE

The original single gate entry to this garden had fallen into disrepair and disuse, meaning the most beautiful part of a garden was no longer the first impression to visitors. To reinstate this entry and do the garden justice, a colonnade was built to hang a double gate, and in the future to support a Wisteria canopy.

BRIEF –

The gate needed to be ornamental and impactful while highly functional and sturdy. The brief was a rustic grandeur, mystique and antiquity. Using a conglomerate of motifs from Pharaonic Egypt and Mesopotamian Babylon, a design was put together, refined and assembled digitally, then transferred to a pair of 3mm sheet metal panels using an overhead projector.

From there the design was cut out by hand using a small angle grinder and steel files. After installation it was decided to leave the steel unprotected and unpainted, allowing the surface layer to corrode naturally and appear aged, the gates have earned the moniker ‘THE WIZARD’S GATE’ from reactions of visitors since installation.

BRIEF –

Design and Fabricate Decking to replace existing entry steps and unattractive maintenance heavy gravel patio space.

DETAIL –

Merbau Decking incorporating planting wells to accommodate Wisteria growing up pergola supports.

This 1960’s Gas powered shop freezer was rescued from a fire damaged Bakery in a small country town in Victoria.

When discovered it was partially painted in bright blue thick gloss paint, was extensively damaged by both the fire and rain, and was on it’s way to a bonfire or landfill.

 

BRIEF –

A local small business owner requested a more stylish storage refit to their home office. They wanted something both more practical, while also pleasing to the eye, and with a ‘rustic vibe’ during meetings with clients.

DETAIL –

The client had put this project off for some time due to budget restrictions. However, by using reclaimed materials this concern was overcome, a happy solution found .. and with coin to spare.