Inspiration Profile - Jaime Diaz-Berrio

Welcome to this week's Inspiration Profile -  his name is Jaime Diaz-Berrio, an architect and photographer from Melbourne, Australia. Several weeks ago, Jaime sent me a lovely email asking me if I knew about the following of blog readers that I have in Melbourne? That was great to hear and hello to you all! Thanks for reading and enjoy today's profile.



Jaime Diaz-Berrio

RACV Healesville Country Club by SJB Architects

Name: Jaime Diaz-Berrio

What do you do: I am an architect and photographer. Originally from Mexico, I trained in architecture and have worked in Mexico and Australia designing residential, commercial and industrial spaces since 2001.

Photography has always been a hobby of mine and in 2008 I began photographing the work of other architects and interior designers as a side business. A few months ago I took the plunge and made it my main focus.

I currently share my time between architecture, architectural photography and abstract photography.

Where do you live: Melbourne, Australia

What are you working on: At the moment I am working on a new series of images taken on my last overseas trip which will hopefully form my first solo exhibition.

I take a lot of pleasure from walking around the built environment with a camera in hand and taking small parts of it with me, collecting portions of buildings that can later be put back together in a different light, sometimes pieces of the same building, sometimes of unrelated subjects and then re-composing them together. 

Merricks Residence by SJB Architects & SJB Interiors



 

 

Who/what inspires me: Travel, experiencing new cities, visiting the buildings designed by architects that I admire (I’ve dragged my lovely wife to very remote places over the years...)

I recently found a quote by an important Mexican architect, Luis Barragan, that has reinforced the importance of travel for me: “Don’t ask me about this building or that one. Don’t look at what I do. See what I saw.”

Other inspirations are:
Good, simple, well considered and timeless design in any of its multiple branches (architectural, interior, industrial, furniture etc).

In architecture, I find Peter Zumthor’s work in a league of its own, he is one of the few architects that manage to truly move all of your senses when you visit one of his buildings.

In photography, Henri Cartier-Bresson’s images are always inspiring.

I work best: Around sunset, between the time when the light turns golden and about 20 minutes after the sun sets. Buildings seem to come alive. Sunrise is also very special, but I struggle to get out of bed that early!

What I do when I’m stuck for inspiration: I go for a walk with my camera; it is amazing how I end up relaxing after a few minutes of looking through the viewfinder. It seems to eliminate all distractions and allows me to focus on what I am looking for.

The best advice I have been given is: Whilst in my second year in University, a very respected architect in Mexico told me that I should work for somebody whose work I admire very much because at that age I would probably work very long hours and have a very small salary so I should at least enjoy the work. I worked for him for the next five years and still consider him my greatest mentor who taught me what I consider the most important element in both architecture and photography: strong composition.

My latest discovery is: A love for good dark chocolate! (70% Green & Black’s Organic)

Decontra House by Fitt de Felice

McCrae House by SJB Architects



Prahan House by SJB Interiors

Books that I get inspiration from: Classic architectural books are a beautiful source of inspiration, I particularly enjoy books on Alvaro Siza, Alvar Aalto, Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn, Eero Saarinen and Peter Zumthor among others.

Magazines that inspire me: It’s always a pleasure when the Architectural Review (UK) shows up in the mail box. I also enjoy C+A and Mark.

Blogs that I enjoy: dezeen, archdaily, Contemporist, The Cool Hunter, Joe’s nyc.

My favourite room at home is: The lounge room, it’s a simple, calm room filled with sunlight during most of the day and a view to our small, green courtyard. A very peaceful and quiet place. 

My office is: At home for the moment but a couple of local cafes have also become satellite offices, I enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and being surrounded by people - a good coffee also doesn’t hurt! Favourites are Monk Bodhi Dharma & Spout in St Kilda East.

What am I looking forward to: Finding a balance between my three passions: architecture, architectural photography and abstract photography.

And why not, another long trip with Sara (and her patience!).

If you would like to learn more about Jaime, please see his website here.

Market Street Apartment by SJB Interiors

 
All photographs are by, and used with permission from, Jaime Diaz-Berrio.

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Mr. Mister

 

For all the men in your life.  

Make sure to wish the Dad's a wonderful day - I know I will!

images via pinterest

 

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Dark Doors..

 

I am considering this.. I love the look of dark painted doors on and interior!  I was thinking of trying it on the doors that lead to our bedroom but I feel like if I do one set I have to do them all (which is obvious) but I just wanted to test it out.  I love that these look like a dark grey not entirely black.  What do you think?   Do you have dark doors?  Do you want them?  Do you love them?

image via pinterest

 

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Inspirations for a New Home

Photos by Patric Johansson for Plaza Interior

Photos by Patric Johansson for Residence

When I got back yesterday from my weekend away, I managed a quick visit to my brother and his wife's new house. They brought it a couple of weeks ago and they received the keys this weekend.
When I arrived, the whole family was there to celebrate the purchase and to have a look around (well what do you expect from a family of architects and designers?) It is an awesome house with fantastic views over the city. It needs plenty of work, however my brother and his wife wanted a project and they certainly have one.
They may let me feature some of their house on the blog, however, for the meantime here are some cool inspirational interiors that I think they would like - they already have the white Eames dining chairs so they're off to a stylish start...
Photographs by Patric Johansson.

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Segreto: Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors

A little while back I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this amazing book,  Segreto: Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors.  I am a sucker for design books, they are stacked around my office and home here and there just waiting for a free moment to be opened and explored.  This book is a fabulous resource of inspiration images and information from Segreto on their work.  It offers a view into some of the most beautiful homes I have seen and information on how these looks were achieved.  With over 300 pages of interior photos and details it is a great piece to add to the design library and the cocktail table alike. 



"Explore the breathtaking rooms within and enjoy a multitude of design styles by the bevy of talented interior designers, builders, architects and homeowners that Leslie has been privileged to work with through the years. Segreto: Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors gives you the knowledge of what is available today and the confidence to create an ambiance that best reflects the particular period or design style you desire, by simply applying the right finish." from Segreto.


images via Segreto

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I could/want to live there

I have been having a strong migraine since Wednesday evening and I could cry...well actually I did a bit this am, it was so painful. I don't know if it was down to my Pilates session or a bug going around but whatever it is, I'm not a happy bunny. Over 24 hours is a very long time to have your head doing BABOUM BABOUM!
Can someone give me a lift to this wonderful place to recover please...

Photography by Tomaestudio via Wabisabi

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Interior Photography.. and my {1000}th post

 

Lately I have been thinking about interiors (big surprise there)  and interior photography.  I was looking through Ashlee Raubach's blog and saw this picture.. which I love.  Ashlee took our family pictures last fall and she was amazing!  I cannot wait to have her photograph some of my work and my home when I get ready.  The light in this picture makes my heart race and that table makes me want to scream I love it so much.  I love the way she uses the light in the space and the softness that comes across in the photos.

Anyway, I am curious have you had interior photographs taken?  What do you think of different styles? 

Image from Ashlee Raubach

 

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Black & White

 

 

1. Stilinspiration 2. Slyadnev  3. Anoukb 4. Bodieandfou

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My styling job for BODIE and FOU

Last Summer, I went to France to shoot the BODIE and FOU Christmas catalogue with François (behind-the-scene photos I took here). We had one week to do a few shots which we did at my parents' place and thanks God for that, because my mum is a bit of hoarder and she had every single thing I had forgotten to pack (string, cellotape, industrial shelving, wooden planks), you name it, she had it!
I styled four shots (front cover, page 5, page 23 and page 28) and while I enjoyed every minute of it, I found there was a massive difference in styling a few things in my home to achieve a pretty look and styling a shot for the catalogue (let's say more pressure!)
However, my favourite styling job was by far, the workspace one, probably because it is very close to how I would style my own creative space at home, mixing inspiring images from magazines with more personal things like photos from Mila.
Doing a job I love, I'm a firm believer that is very important to surround ourself at work with things that are going to inspire us and bring you a little happiness so I also put a little pink artwork together to feature what Mila once told me: "Maman, tu es la reine des bisous" (Mummy, you're the Queen of kisses).
This workspace has a soft industrial vibe, inspired by the new House Doctor DK but also, all these beautiful images I collect on Pinterest and we had such an amazing response that it looks like we will do another catalogue and this, will become a regular feature (Yippee!).
Maybe we can have some guest contributors...
Below, top image is the shot finished and then coming altogether for the catalogue

 

On the desk: Industrial table lamp | Owl vase |  Mima Le Chat print | Ceramic heart | Paris map printPaumes books | Bird clothes pegs used as paper clips | hanging heart (on the wall) |

On the shelf: Clip on light | roll of Scrapwood wallpaper | wire letter tray and then the stool (the trestles are from Ikea).

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New Lighting from Arteriors

 

I am totally loving all of the new pieces from Arteriors, these are just a few of my favorites!!!

You can tell I am partial to the darker finishes right now.  I am looking forward to next week as we get closer to the holidays things get busier but much more fun around here!  We will be having a giveaway from one of our wonderful sponsors here on greige and some updates.

I hope you are having  great weekend so far!

images via Arteriors

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