The Architect’s Inspiration: Maxine Scalabrino
Discover the inspiration and key influences of Maxine Scalabrino’s design
Maxine Scalabrino is an experienced residential and commercial architect in Sydney eastern suburbs, and principal at Scalabrino Architecture. Maxine’s motto is to design beautiful, bespoke spaces that change the way people live. She draws inspiration from being true to structure forms using horizontal and vertical planes, natural materials and maximising light and ventilation to create the desired energy in a space for a finely personalised sense of belonging.
Nature
Maxine grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, forming an indelible connection to the dramatic beauty of the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain. She would often swim in the icy ocean, sensing the movement of currents and absorbing colours, textures and patterns that today inspire her work.
True to form elements of nature appear in Maxine’s work.
Belonging
“A space needs to be welcoming, regardless of its size or location and a design that is timeless.”
Creating a sense of belonging is central in Maxine’s designs. Having emigrated to Australia from her Cape Town home, she understands the importance of feeling connected to the spaces we inhabit wherever we find ourselves, especially when far from home.
The beautiful, modern fireplace is a hearty, inviting focal point for family and friends.
Purpose
The pure essence of architecture is designing a space to fulfil certain criteria. For Maxine, every project must be grounded in purpose. It means actively listening to understand each client’s personality, dreams and lifestyle to tailor meaningful, enriching spaces.
Purpose also inspires logic in Maxine’s designs. She works from the premise that every architectural element makes a logical contribution to the whole for a coherent sensory experience.
A logical statement using a natural timber handrail as an element with steel balustrade.
Simplicity
Maxine is inspired by the ease of simplicity. She likes to use the structure itself to express the space or design element it creates, staying true to form. In this sense, a space becomes a source of positive energy, a way to take the complicated and work it to its purest, most beautiful form.
True to form organic shapes and clean lines represent the essence of simplicity.
Creativity
Creativity is behind Maxine’s approach to resolving issues during construction, finding solutions that suit the client’s needs and stay true to the design. Creativity also appears in her preference for hand drawing initial designs as it lets intuitive ideas flow and helps to communicate concepts with clients.
“When you are drawing freehand, you are drawing from an emotive point of view, working through the 3-D environment in my mind and problem solving as I go. Time spent with the client is critical to get inside their heads and understand their vision.”
Intuitive creativity, simplicity and purposeful design inspired by true to form materials are key elements in the beautiful, multi-dimensional and enduring architecture Maxine is known for.
Hand-drawn expression of creative concept for a residential design
If you would like to chat to Maxine in person about bringing your design dreams to life please get in touch today.