November 27, 2014
ARCHITECT VINCE ALAFACI
Architecture, of sorts was in Vince Alafaci’s blood. Both his grandfather and father were builders but he has steered a slightly different course. While studying architecture at university, one of the lecturers asked him to help start up a Sydney office for a Melbourne-based practice. Since graduation he has gone out on his own, and teamed up with his partner interior designer Caroline Choker [interview here] to create Acme & Co. While they established the practice in 2013, they are already racking up the awards. This year they were awarded the Emerging Interior Design Practice gong at the 2014 Australian Interior Design Awards, and yesterday they received a high commendation at the Eat Drink Design awards for The Incinerator. Other completed projects include The Potting Shed at The Grounds and FiftyFive5.
Which five words best describe you? Black, purist, stealth, realist, humble.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Whilst at university, I was poached by a lecturer to assist in establishing a Melbourne-based practice in Sydney. Upon completing university I registered and formed AA, a solo architectural practice. My partner Caroline Choker is an interior designer who also had a solo practice. We decided to collaborate on projects and organically we formed our multi-disciplinary firm Acme & Co in 2013.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Still on the journey and learning every day.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Conceiving Acme & Co with my partner and being awarded the emerging design practice by the DIA within the first year.
What’s been your best decision? This is debatable, to pursue my life as an architect.
Who inspires you? My partner and visionaries who make a positive contribution.
What are you passionate about? Life.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Philip Johnson: would have loved to have been invited back to the glass house for a party with Andy Warhol and crew.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? To fly helicopters.
What are you reading? Juhani Pallasmaa's The eyes of the skin and Pin-up interviews.
images courtesy of acme & co; photography michael wee