National architecture and interior design practice Rothelowman has opened a studio shaped by local character on Perth’s main street.

Occupying level eight of 190 St Georges Terrace, the new studio aims to strengthen Rothelowman’s presence in Western Australia. Design-wise, it is a “deliberate expression of Western Australian identity” according to the firm, characterised as “warm, tactile and unmistakably of its place, harmoniously translating local culture and craft into the everyday rituals of design”.

Reimagining the typical office layout

Rothelowman deliberately designed the studio to be free from the conventions of the traditional office. Corridors and reception desks are replaced by an open, flexible space anchored by a collaborative central hub. 

“We wanted to create a studio that puts our people first and is alive with conversation, creativity and connection,” design director of interiors Jackie Johnston explains. “The studio intentionally shifts away from corporate formality towards something far more human.” 

At the heart of the studio sits the Viking Table, hand-crafted by local joiners. The table functions as the studio’s social and creative anchor; a place to meet, ideate and celebrate. Around it, the planning aims to allow for a natural rhythm between focused and collaborative zones, enabling a seamless shift between design reviews, client workshops and informal catch-ups.

Highlighting the act of design

Johnston says the studio makes the act of design visible in everyday practice. 

In the lobby, guests 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 says. “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.”

Complementing this, natural materials like cork flooring and wood wool ceilings create a calm ambience throughout the studio when combined with softly filtered daylight.

The studio’s detailing connects the interior to its architectural context. Inspiration from the face brick construction and the diamond-shaped columns on the building’s façade is carried through into joinery, handles and glazing proportions. 

“Everything from the joinery alignments and ceiling junctions to the locally sourced material palette is intentional. It’s about designing a studio that feels good to be in, where creativity can happen naturally,” Johnston says.

The studio is a physical expression of Rothelowman’s belief in shared creativity, according to Schoonens. “Our Perth studio embodies how we work nationally: deeply connected to a broader collective of designers and thinkers across the country,” she says.

Photography by Dion Robeson.

Related: Read about HDR’s integrated Melbourne workplace.