RORY SPENCE
Rory Spence transformation from a Plumber to a grossly successful entrepreneur took just a few years . Now Founding Partner and Director of the award winning enterprise , Studio Workshop , he is the perfect example of how following a dream can pay off in more ways than one .
Starting his career in a trade directly out of school , Rory reaped the rewards of being a successful plumber , before questioning whether he loved it enough to spend the rest of his life doing it .
“ I was always interested in art and design but still really loved the construction industry , so I thought architecture was the nexus between these ,” he clearly recalls .
With that in mind , tertiary study was his best avenue to forge a new career and five years on , he graduated from Bond University with a Masters in Architecture .
Demonstrating a knack for knowing an opportunity when he sees one , in 2014 Rory and a fellow classmate created Studio Workshop - a design , fabrication and construction company known for its distinctive style . Operating at the intersection of technology , fabrication and the built environment , they tapped
into a niche market and their success soared .
“ We started Studio Workshop initially just doing furniture and small fitouts until we got more of a portfolio of work , and the business has grown organically from there ,” Rory explains .
Four Directors , seven staff and four companies later , they now have capacity to design and build anything from multiresidential projects , retail , hospitality fitouts , all the way down to the smaller scale objects like features and furniture . And the best part is they have the ability to work in a multitude of places at once .
In between their current workload and expanding their Mermaid Beach design studio , their focus in 2017 is centred on the development industry .
“ We see it as a way to test and try our own ideas and challenge the current architecture that is produced by developers . It allows us to be the client , designer and builder which gives us ultimate control ”.
Dealing with an expansive list of domestic and international clients , their work remains unique and certainly not unrecognised . in September 2016 , Studio Workshop won the Standalone Structure category at the Australia Timber Design Awards for their work at the Condev reception space in Brisbane ’ s Fortitude Valley , one of their first largely complex projects .
With his motto ‘ always be open to explore anything ’, one can only imagine what goals Rory will be kicking in the years to come . And with his inspiration being drawn from travel , family , friends and the excitement of having a business , perhaps one of these days , we ’ ll be lucky enough to see some Studio Workshop designs in his home town - the place he praises for playing such a huge part in his journey .
18 | www . oasismagazine . com . au