Every design studio has its own personality. This monthly series visits practices around Australia to explore the spaces they work in, the culture they’ve created and the daily rituals that define office life. This month, In Addition invites us inside their space.
The Melbourne offices of In Addition
We’re In Addition, an architecture and interior design studio founded by Ana Calic McLean and Josh McLean. We’re curious by nature and love exploring how spaces can tell stories, spark conversations and create memorable experiences. Our work takes us across retail, hospitality, residential and workplace projects, each with its own personality.
The Melbourne offices of In Addition
From the beginning, we’ve wanted to change the way coming to work feels. Less like going to the office and more like hanging out with your friends while doing really great work together. We’ve tried to create a place that people genuinely love being part of, somewhere you miss when you’ve been away and actually look forward to coming back to. We think that’s a pretty special thing.
We work a nine-day fortnight and sprinkle in wellness days throughout the year, giving everyone a chance to recharge their batteries, slow down and enjoy a little extra time for themselves. We’re big believers that life outside the studio is just as important as life inside it, because doing great work and having a great life shouldn’t be mutually exclusive!
Mitchell House, right in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.
Our In Addition family is made up of six! Josh McLean, Ana Calic McLean, Michelle Soufya, Emma Crea, Toby Richardson and Hayley Curnow.
The Melbourne offices of In Addition
How long have you been in this space?
Tell us what you did with the space and why?
Everything! The studio was a real ‘renovator’s delight’ when we first found it. No running water, no waste connections, barely any basic services. But what it lacked in amenities, it certainly made up for in charm.
The four-metre-high ceilings, beautiful natural light and Art Deco architecture had us sold from the beginning. We introduced new walls, flooring, lighting and custom-designed furniture, really building the space from scratch. We wanted to create somewhere that felt warm, welcoming and more like an extension of home than a traditional office. Somewhere coming to work felt a little more like hanging out with your friends.
The Melbourne offices of In Addition
What three words describe the office?
Warm, relaxed and homely. Like the space is giving you a big hug.
What is the best thing about the office?
The coffee machine, without a doubt. Big shout-out to La Marzocco.
The Melbourne offices of In Addition
What does the office reveal about your work?
Hopefully, that we’re approachable. We love taking our clients on a journey, and there’s no smoke and mirrors with us, just honest, thoughtful design and a really collaborative process.
The studio has a pretty small footprint, so there’s literally nowhere to hide. We’re an open book It’s also a little showcase of all the products, materials and suppliers we love. There’s something really special about being able to invite clients into our own space, share the things we’re passionate about and show how we’ve used them ourselves. It feels a bit like inviting someone over to our home.
What is the most used spot in the studio?
Definitely the spot right in front of the coffee machine. There’s a bit of a theme emerging here…
The Melbourne offices of In Addition
What is the most unexpected thing in the office?
To celebrate our studio’s first birthday, we treated ourselves to a beautiful sculptural hanging textile by Jennifer Robertson, called Tectonic Lineations , from C Gallery.
It’s made from carbon fibre, stainless steel, quartz and silk, and we always encourage everyone to touch it. The softness is so unexpected given the materials it’s made from. It’s one of those pieces you really need to experience in person.
What does a typical day in the office look like?
Mornings generally start around the coffee machine, catching up on everyone’s evenings and chatting about what’s happening that day.
Everyone arrives with a slightly different story. Someone’s been to pilates, someone’s gone for a ride, someone’s walked in and someone’s made a very important stop at Moon for a cruller.
From there, no two days are really the same. There are site visits, presentations, travel, design reviews and friends of the studio popping in to say hello. It’s a pretty dynamic little place, and there’s rarely a dull moment!
The Melbourne offices of In Addition
Air conditioning! One of the many charms of working in a heritage building with a protected facade. Thankfully, there’s always a stash of icy poles in the freezer, and as the weather warms up, the coffees gradually turn iced.
What have you been working on lately?
Such a fun mix of projects at the moment!
A slightly left-of-field one for us, a medicinal cannabis dispensary, a new furniture showroom in LA, some exciting international retail stores for July Luggage and a beautiful home overlooking Sydney Harbour.
We’ve also got three projects opening in the next six weeks, so it’s all happening!
The Melbourne offices of In Addition
Best thing in the office fridge right now?
The best thing is fridge itself! Our hidden Fisher & Paykel CoolDrawer.
French Fix on Queen Street. Murielle and Paul’s baguettes are incredible!
And BKK. Their lunch special might just be the city’s best kept secret.
Absolutely! Shout-out to our four-legged friends Luna and Margie.
A pretty eclectic mix of mini rice cakes, Funday lollies and wasabi peas.
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