MESS Foundation

The Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS) is a not-for-profit organisation located in the Atrium at Fed Square, Melbourne / Naarm. Its mission is to empower all people to build an enriched life through music by providing access to its eclectic and historically significant museum grade collection of electronic instruments.
With an ever growing collection, MESS invites creatives and the broader public to learn, play and record with hundreds of electronic instruments at their fingertips.
Sibling were tasked with designing this unique hybrid of a museum, studio and workshop within an existing tenancy at a highly active cultural centre. The large, glazed shopfront is activated through a custom designed display of the instruments. Filtered views through clear FRP screens show the activity of music making within, whilst still providing some privacy to the workshops. The material palette references the visual language of the collection,  sampling metals and timber.  Stained plywood joinery marks the communal zones and custom made tables on wheels are designed to be disassembled and reconfigured for different types of activities. The outcome is a space that fosters creativity and community while providing an appropriate facility to support the specific requirements of these instruments.