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Profile: ACME
Weaving nostalgia with unique sensory experiences to create memorable spaces has been the guiding principle for multidisciplinary architecture and interior design studio ACME.
Established in 2013 by architect Vince Alafaci and interior designer Caroline Choker, the studio primarily works in the hospitality space. The name ACME refers to “the point at which someone or something is best, perfect or most successful,” says Alafaci. It has proven to be apt, as it’s a philosophy carried out by the duo in how they carefully consider each space and site to create unique experiences and connections.
Unlike the studio’s design approach, the collaboration that created ACME was unplanned. “It happened organically. We had an opportunity to collaborate on a project together in 2013 and it became clear how our skill sets complemented each other,” says Alafaci, who had been practising architecture for 10 years. His lateral design mindset beautifully complemented Choker’s instinct for interiors. “Growing up in a family immersed in the building industry, there was always an emphasis on construction, a hands-on approach to problem solving and a genuine appreciation for collaboration,” he says.
Choker’s journey to interior design was slightly more wayward. “Also growing up in a family connected to construction and hospitality, I developed an early appreciation and a fearless curiosity about how things are made,” she says. “This foundation sparked a fascination with design, which led me to explore the world of fashion. There, a focus on detail, materiality and storytelling laid the groundwork for my approach to interiors.” For the interior designer, this transition felt like a “natural progression”, and Choker spent a decade running two businesses before co-founding ACME. “Our work ethic, shared vision and passion for design led to the conception of ACME, and we’ve continued to build on that philosophy and synergy ever since,” says Alafaci.
“Much of our inspiration comes from the process itself – exploring ideas, collaborating with others and discovering how details come together to tell a story,” says Choker.
Working across small- and large-scale projects in the residential, commercial, industrial, public and adaptive reuse sectors, the studio’s main focus is creating exceptional hospitality experiences. These include designs for restaurants, hotels, retail and wellness spaces. “When ACME was formed, our attention was focused on hospitality, an industry that sits at the intersection of design and human experience. It offers the unique opportunity to create spaces where people come to gather, connect, share, exchange stories and create memories,” explains Alafaci.
Drawing on the interplay between people, space and atmosphere, the studio has designed some of Australia’s most esteemed venues, including Neil Perry’s Song Bird and Bobbie’s in Double Bay – following their work together on Margaret – Andrew McConnell’s Supernormal Brisbane, as well as Gimlet Bar and Apollo Inn in Melbourne and Merivale’s Mimi’s and Fred’s. “It’s a deeply rewarding sector, challenging us to go beyond aesthetics and design spaces that are thoughtful and impactful, with an aim to establish institutions,” says Choker.
“Much of our inspiration comes from the process itself – exploring ideas, collaborating with others and discovering how details come together to tell a story,” says Choker. The studio works closely with clients to understand their vision while exploring the site’s history and context. “It’s about creating something meaningful that reflects the world in that moment of time and connecting people in new and unexpected ways,” says Alafaci.
While each project caters to a unique brief, common denominators are dotted throughout, with ACME adopting consistent principles like sustainability, natural materials, practicality and creating spaces connected to their environment. Favouring authentic, tactile and warm materials that patina over time and invite interaction, gracefully enhancing a sense of place and encouraging connection are all studio hallmarks. The studio also recycles materials where possible and employs passive design principles. At the heart of each project, ACME embeds them with the energy of the location, resulting in a seamless sense of affinity that guests can genuinely feel upon entering.
Having recently surpassed a decade in practice, Alafaci and Choker still look back fondly at ACME’s earliest projects. “The Grounds of Alexandria and its subsequent venues hold a special significance for us, as it is the foundation on which ACME was conceived,” says Alafaci. “What started as a single vision has expanded into a collection of projects, each with its own character and purpose, yet all rooted in the ethos of community.” The team recently completed another project in the collection, The Grounds Coffee Factory in South Eveleigh, an adaptive reuse of the heritage Locomotive Workshops where guests can watch live coffee roasting in a contemporary hospitality environment. “TotalFusion Platinum in Brisbane represents another milestone for us,” says Choker. Emerging after the pandemic, the multi-level wellness precinct redefines the health club offering, integrating high-performance training with a luxury experience, incorporating natural materials and landscaping to create a meditative and sensory space.
ACME is continually inspired by watching an idea evolve into a space where people come together, connect and create memories. “There’s a deep satisfaction in designing environments that not only shape individual experiences but also contribute to the fabric of a city, leaving an imprint that lasts well beyond the moment,” says Choker.
