Sue Carr’s five decades of design practice

To celebrate five decades of design practice, Carr unveiled ‘Dynamic Restraint 5.0 – five decades of design practice’. The concept captures the Founding Principal Sue Carr’s positive attitude and desire for constant change, activity, and progress; as well as the calm and understated design expression that Carr have come to be known for.

Sue Carr, Founding Principal of Carr, has championed and cemented the power of design in Australia since she first opened the doors to an interior design studio in Melbourne on 10th May 1971. Formerly known as Inarc, a portmanteau for interior architecture, the move was considered bold at a time when interior design was regarded as more of an afterthought in the overall design process.

Carr Managing Director Chris McCue notes, “Sue has always sought the urgency of the future in the constraints of the present. If the present didn’t immediately support Sue’s idealised future; then she set out to create it. This is as much true of design as a product as it is design as an industry.”

Despite the various business permutations, growth, and name changes over the years, the relentless pursuit of quality by Carr has remained unrivalled. Over this time, Carr has constantly evolved through a deep understanding of the value that design can impart on the human experience. Constantly moving and looking forward, but with a calm and considered approach that prioritises restraint, Carr has always embodied a relentless pursuit of quality.

Over the five decades Carr has now come full circle. While designing a building from inside out continues to capture the essence of Carr, the studio today encompasses an integrated interior design and architectural service offering that sees both disciplines and the business team working together as equal counterparts. This model not only differentiates the studio but strengthens the team through regular exposure to diverse skills and capabilities. By breaking with convention and giving interior design the independence it required, Sue paved the way for Carr to be what it is today – a comprehensive design studio committed to excellence that strives to enrich people’s lives.

Passion and hard work have always been at the heart of Carr, it’s a core driving force that Sue embodies, and which entices the many talented people that come to work at the studio. It’s a combination that Sue, in part, attributes to the success of the business. “We’re very fortunate in Australia, where success can be possible through passion and hard work – something I’ve always applied to what I do. No matter what it is.” That same verve and obsession translates across the board – in the design process, in longstanding relationships with clients and suppliers, in the culture of the studio, and of course, in the architecture and design.

Sue has a compelling combination of being future facing, yet not seeking change for the sake of it. She is averse to following trends and is constantly thinking about the bigger shifts that will trickle down to the design industry. The ability to balance the two keeps the business both grounded and unafraid to embrace new territory.

Looking forward with a fresh perspective is what Sue does best. She is confident growth is on the radar for Carr. Her optimism and passion are as intoxicating as they were five decades ago. “Change is inevitable and never easy, but what has always energised me about the future are the people I get to work with every day.”

Over the course of the year Carr will be marking their five decades of practice with a 12-month calendar of activities and events that celebrate their people, clients, and collaborators, who have contributed to the evolution of Carr.

“Sue has always emphasised the importance of trust between designer and client, noting it as the most important ingredient. We look forward to celebrating these five decades of practice with the people that created that trust, and the enduring success that followed” shares Nick Carr, CEO of Carr.