Interior Awards Q&A: Rawstorne studio

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2015 Interior Awards Installation category winner – ‘MOKO’ by Rawstorne studio. Image: Dan Mace

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From left to right: Robin Rawstorne (Rawstorne studio) and Moss Patterson (Atamira Dance Company). Image: Bas van Est

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Rawstorne studio won the 2015 Interior Awards Installation category with their incredible MOKO stage design.

Here, Federico Monsalve, editor of Interior magazine, catches up with Rawstorne studio's creative producer Sarah Johnson, on what the company has been up to since winning the highly-contested award.

Federico Monsalve: In many ways it is an unusual project for Interior Awards. What made you want to enter?

Sarah Johnson: We don’t work in traditional interior design but a lot of our projects are ‘interior’ installations, exhibitions or set design. We were particularly proud of MOKO and enjoyed the prospect of showcasing that project and celebrating our long time collaboration with Atamira Dance Company.

FM: What was your reaction when you hear your name being called as a winner?

2015 Installation Award winner – ‘MOKO’ by Rawstorne studio. Image: Dan Mace

SJ: Proud and excited!

FM: What was the reaction of colleagues and your peers?

SJ: Rawstorne studio and Atamira Dance Company have had a great response from peers, clients and colleagues.

FM: Where does the trophy live?

SJ: Between our studio and the Atamira office.

FM: What has happened since your win?

SJ: MOKO has toured China with a stripped back version of the set and we’ve just completed another set design - ‘Ruaumoko’ for an Atamira and Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra collaboration for the Auckland Arts Festival.

We completed a large scale installation ‘The Idea Collective’ for MOTAT end of last year which showcases New Zealand innovation, and in amongst that we’ve had several trips to Shanghai and Beijing working on some large scale events.

From left to right: Sarah Johnson (Rawstorne studio), Robin Rawstorne (Rawstorne studio), Moss Patterson (Atamira Dance Company) and Annabel Farry. Image: Bas van Est

This year has also been incredibly busy, and we are particularly excited to be working with Mike Mizrahi from InsideOut Productions on the design of the 2016 World of Wearable Arts event taking place in Wellington this September.

FM: How was the process of entering?

SJ: Easy and straight forward.

FM: And the process of presenting to the judges?

SJ: It gave the team behind the piece an opportunity to revisit the creative thoughts behind it – and for us to hang out together once again! So an all round win win scenario.

To be eligible for the Installation category, entrants must have created a bespoke object or solution specifically for a project; and one that has not been used in any other project.

Entries can be submitted through the Interior Awards website until Wednesday 4 May 2016.