Fitzroy is a lively area of Melbourne known for its tree-lined streets, historic buildings, diverse community, and a vibrant art and design scene. Its bubbling creative energy has drawn Australian architects and interior designers to the neighborhood that’s now dotted with many studios. Fitzroy also has a fascinating architectural history. Its origins date back to the 1830s, when it was one of Melbourne’s first suburbs. Since then, it has undergone a number of transformations, evolving from a working-class district to a cultural hotspot with a mix of Victorian architecture and contemporary buildings, all located just a stone’s throw from Melbourne’s central business district.
Fitzroy, and more specifically Gertrude Street, is also where you’ll find the two-room apartment of interior designers Mitchell Zurek and Andy Kelly, located above their gallery, Oigåll Projects. “The gallery came about almost by chance. We bought the building without any specific plans, then decided to convert the upstairs into a home and the first floor into an office and exhibition space for our furniture design agency, Brud Studia,” the designers explain. During the pandemic, the couple exhibited art by their network of creative friends to keep the space active. Starting with an impromptu selection of pieces, the space gradually evolved into a permanent gallery, taking over the Brud Studia workspace. For last year’s annual Melbourne Design Week, held in late May each year, the home hosted Design House, “a celebration of conceptual design in context with functional art.”
