Jeremy Bull is the founder and principal of Sydney-based design studio Alexander and Co, renowned for its innovation and its breadth of creative capacity. Jeremy is deeply interested in the connection of people t o place, storytelling and the hand drawn and is unafraid to challenge category, with work spanning commercial and resdiential, architecture and interior design. Here, Jeremy speaks with InteriorsAu about the book he’s read 68 times, his favourite pen and getting inspiration from a secret watering hole.
1. What was your seminal design moment?
Visiting Peter Zumthor’s Thermal Baths as a student, realising that architecture could be literally embodied and joyously fun.
2. It’s your ultimate design dinner party – which four guests are you inviting?
Le Corbusier and Rem Koolhaus vs Kelly Wearstler and Axel Vervoordt. After dinner Scrabble.
3. What’s been on your mind lately?
I’m thrilled to have our office doors all open to the garden, and so grateful for our team.
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4. What’s the most treasured design-y thing you own?
My Lamy pen.
5. What is the most inspiring space you’ve been to?
There is a little (secret) water hole in Pearl Beach which Tess and the kids and I all swim at. It’s a short walk through bushland and is an incredible spot for a swim and soak in the sun. And I’m sure it’s been there for a zillion years.
6. What’s a design book you return to often?
I don’t have one. My most read book is The Mind Illuminated by Culadasa (Dr John Yates). I have read it 68 times, if I was counting.
7. What is your favourite quote about design?
“Never talk to a client about architecture. Talk to him about his children” – Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
8. Who do you look up to in design?
From where I am, I’m mostly looking up! I feel like I’ve only just started. There is brilliance everywhere. And it starts at the figs tree at my front door.
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9. What do you consider the best project you’ve done to date?
I think our office is pretty neat. I also loved Dubai Opera with Hannah Tribe. We had a lot of fun together.
10. If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
A writer. Most likely a hungry writer.
11. What would you change about the state of design?
Ideas would be conceived to last longer, but it would all need to be so much slower to do that.
12. What is your dream project?
I think they are all dream projects. Getting paid to have this much fun is surely all a dream.