One Day : Michelle Wong - Architect / Maker
Location : London, UK
Profession / passion : Architect / Maker
Website : www.mwmakes.co.uk
Instagram : @mwmakes
One Day is an ongoing project sparked by the Covid-19. In the days of isolation we would like to focus on what we do best; bringing people together. Read more about the project here.
We will be posting one new day of someones life every day until we run out of contributors. See our instagram stories to experience these peoples One Day in action.
A text, song or film that everyone should experience.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. A beautifully illustrated celebration of kindness and compassion. It’s everything we need right now.
What is the story behind your profession/ passion?
After about a year of working in architectural practice, I missed some of the slower creative processes that were involved with studying architecture, for example drawing by hand or making intricate models. In reality, buildings take such a long time to materialise, that often the design process feels quite detached from the craft of making.
This led me to take part in an evening leathercraft workshop with traditional saddlery leatherworker Mia Sabel. This introduction to leather-working taught me the basic techniques to start experimenting with products at home. I initially started making products for myself and friends, before signing up to my first market in 2017.
I still work full time as an architect during the week, but working with leather on the side allows me to explore design and craftsmanship at a (much!) smaller scale, which I really enjoy.
How do you want people to react to your work / passion?
I would like to show people the process behind a handmade leather object. I hope people see the craftsmanship behind each item and appreciate the time and skill that’s gone into it. My products are created to be used everyday, with the vegetable tanned leather changing as its exposed to sun, oils and marks from everyday use.
How has the current situation affected how you work?
I’m lucky that I can do most of my work from my home studio, the corner of my living room as I always have. The current situation has given me additional time to reflect on the type of work I wish to pursue in the future, thinking about collaborations and testing new products.
Function or form?
Function follows form, the classic architect trained response! Ultimately, my products are made to be functional. Of course, I want them to be aesthetically pleasing as well and if there are ways to create unique and interesting forms, whilst improving function, then there’s value in exploring that.
Analog or digital?
Analog. There’s something about designing with pen and paper that makes ideas flow more easily. All of my designs begin with a hand sketch.
Your best trait?
Attention to detail. I think it’s a positive trait overall but can become borderline obsessive.
What traits do you treasure in other people?
Kindness, honesty, curiosity.
Quality or quantity?
Quality. In recent years, I’ve consciously looked to buy less and choose well, as Vivenne Westwood famously says. Surrounding myself with higher quality items, often more expensive but worth the extra investment.
When was the last time you learned something new and what was it?
I’ve been learning to make coffee at home using the pour over method.
Have you actively chosen to live in the city/town you live in?
Yes. London is where I was born and have grown up in. After years of living in different cities and countries whilst I studied, I moved back to London, which has always remained home to me.
Lastly, how do wish to see this current situation have a positive impact on our lives?
I think the environmental impact we are seeing already is positive. I hope that we remember this time and appreciate that we can in fact live with less and our culture will change to embrace a slower way of living. I also think this experience will change the way we work in a positive way, opening doors for more flexible working across a lot of traditional professions, such as architecture.