Tucked in one of Sydney’s historic grungy and graffiti-slashed hubs Hibernian House is the recording studio Mosaic Music & Sound.
Originally called Murphy’s Corner and constructed in 1928, the building sits on Elizabeth street and remains heritage listed.
For most of its life, it’s housed a variety of specialist professions, such as tailors and printing press workers. During the 80’s it was full of clothing factories and a huge part of the old Surry Hills rag trade.
External building.
Today, the five storey building is covered in street art and home to an array of artists and residents, including painters, photographers, musicians, yoga studios, tattoo studios and hairdressers.
“It feels really good to continue the trend of ‘making’ inside these walls,” Mosaic co-founder and executive producer Bill Doig told AdNews.
“It’s hosted many live performances over the years, and is a truly unique part of the creative landscape in Sydney. Adam and I have both had birthday parties here.”
Mosaic's foyer.
The office, designed by the studio’s co-founders Doig and Adam Moses, mixes the functionality of a professional sound studio and the aesthetics of a Berlin or New York warehouse.
The studio moved in this year after construction took an empty shell and created a warm, industrial vibe.
The view from the enormous windows look down on the beating heart of the city, an energy that runs through the whole building - it’s a great vibe, you can't find anywhere else.
“The building and space also directed us to a tonal vibe which you can’t ignore - complementing the building and its unique history,” Doig said.
The state of the art technical infrastructure combined with the building’s aesthetic take the studio’s guests on a journey of discovery - from Elizabeth street, up the stairs, and into our space, its truly a sensory experience and a safe place to explore.
“We were very conscious of creating a home for collaboration, where people wanted to hang out, exchange ideas and have time to think,” Doig said.
The overall layout is flexible, with multi purpose open spaces, plus cosy studios where guests can immerse themselves in pictures and sounds.
The office accommodates directors, musicians, actors and clients. Some days it can really be a revolving door, the co-founders said, so having several spaces for meetings, podcasts or even shoots provides quiet separation.
Currently the studio has four employees, each has a desk as well as several other hot desks for when friends drop in.
“We love coming in each day, as one resident put it ‘it’s like being cleansed from the humdrum of daily life’,” Mosaic co-founder, head of creative and composer Adam Moses said.
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