MEDIA
Designing For Place and Purpose with Mark Tuckey.
Victoria Merrett Architects was engaged to design an extension that would create more space for a growing family in the coastal enclave of Rye, Victoria. With a brief to seamlessly integrate with the native landscape, Marianne House embraces the outdoors at every opportunity, defined by a material palette of brick and timber.
A curated selection of furniture by Australian designer and manufacturer Mark Tuckey further reinforces this connection to place. Crafted by hand in their Melbourne workshop from recycled and sustainably sourced timber, each piece— including a sofa, armchair, dining table and outdoor stools—tells its own story.
We spoke to Mark Tuckey about designing furniture that speaks to the outdoors, the philosophy behind his craftsmanship, and the benefits of working with sustainable materials.
How do your pieces enhance Marianne House by Victoria Merrett Architects’ connection to its natural surroundings, particularly the Moonah trees and tussock grass?
Mark Tuckey: Our reclaimed and sustainably sourced timber pieces add texture and natural warmth to the serene Marianne House. Soft hues of Creamy Oak and Oregon timber complement the surrounding ash-toned Moonah trees that line the property, forging a harmonious connection between the interior and the natural landscape. We believe that incorporating solid timber into any space cultivates a homely and grounded atmosphere.
The pieces featured are made from reclaimed and sustainability-sourced hardwood. What is the benefit of working with this material?
Mark Tuckey: By working with reclaimed and sustainably sourced timber, we are committing to ethical production and a second life to material that would otherwise end up as landfill.
This not only reduces waste but also helps to preserve natural forests, as it decreases the need for plantation timber. In line with the Mark Tuckey ethos, we believe in the importance of narrative-driven design, with each piece made from reclaimed material telling a unique story.
The Oregon featured in Marianne House is from the historic Young Husbands building in Kensington, Victoria. This centuries-old timber carries a history that adds character to each piece. The timeline of the material—how it’s been shaped and used over time—becomes part of the story, enriching the finished product.
By making with reclaimed hardwood, we’re not just manufacturing furniture; we’re committing to produce lifetime pieces with minimal impact on a shared society and the natural world while fostering a deeper connection between materials, craftsmanship and their environmental significance.
The home includes The Slab Dining Table in the brand’s latest offering, Creamy Oak. Can you talk about this new offering and how it differs from the rest of your range?
Mark Tuckey: New to the collection, Slab End Dining Table offers a refined silhouette, with a base set in for generous overhang, making seating a breeze. A versatile design with a minimality that allows the 60mm solid Oak to shine. This new addition is also available in a 40mm Lite variation for a more streamlined appeal.
As seen in Marianne House, this piece showcases our latest timber offering, Creamy Oak. An ethically sourced American Hardwood with a refreshing water-based, commercial-grade finish unique to Mark Tuckey—characteristic of blush hues and a swirly grain.
This new offering will appeal to the client who loves the idea of solid timber without the beautifully imperfect characteristics that alternative Hardwood displays.
Creamy Oak is consistent in grain and tone and offers a clean aesthetic that ties with both a warm and cool interior palette.
With a Melbourne workshop, can you please shed light on your manufacturing process and how you work with clients on custom pieces?
Mark Tuckey: We specialise in loose furniture and joinery for installation, and we work closely with residential and trade clients to ensure transparent and seamless service from quote to dispatch.
When developing a custom piece, clients are welcome to our Melbourne workshop, where our experienced consultants work alongside a diverse timber library to curate a resolved package that aligns with the vision and requirements of each project. No matter how large or small.