newcastlecreatives

innx.hub

Shared creative spaces like innx.hub are transforming the unused industrial buildings of Newcastle into vibrant media production hubs, and shifting the economy of the city toward making culture, not steel.

The place looks very cool - its facade was painted in concentric circles and psychedelic tones by a street artist during the Hit the Bricks festival, and the foyer has a whole shipping container plonked in it that houses an agency called Mezzanine Media

innx.hub is part of the chic “West-End” creative scene that has sprung up in reclaimed warehouses, where a bunch of digital and design agencies, photographers and film makers now operate and hang out in hip cafés like Tufty Hidey Hole, and bars like The Edwards.

The Edwards was an industrial laundry, and Chris Johnstone and Chris Joannou have been faithful to that theme in their incredible make over of the site – check out some great photos on their funky website here.

That website was made by Headjam, an amazing creative agency I’m proud to say I do a lot of work with (I wrote copy for The Edwards website, check out an example here ;) who are based in a very cool mezzanine level at innx.hub along with a bunch of great creative businesses that make their homes in a versatile range of highly functional spaces.

OK so get ready for some beautifully designed websites.... there’s Standing Man strategic design, La Lune Cinema, White Magazine and Something Blue photography (to name a few). 

Converted warehouses nearby now house the Hunter Design School, Renae Perry Dance school and great little boutiques and it’s hard to imagine the process of transformation will stop there as the development of innovative creative spaces charges ahead in Newcastle West.

Image Credits: all c/o innx.hub and Something Blue photography.

754 Hunter St

Dropped by 754 Hunter Street this week to hang and work. It's a converted warehouse, and one of the many collective creative spaces popping up around Newcastle.

There's some seriously innovative companies based here to compliment the clever open plan adaptation of the space. Tiny Design Workshop, for example, are a pair of passionate young architects who work to convert and recycle elements of the built environment for alternate use. Check them out here

There's also photographer Hannah Rose. High level, boutique photography is rarely this great, and her prize winning art, anthropological and commercial work has caught the attention of the international photography community. She is frequently invited to speak and exhibit at large events, the most recent being Vivid, HeadON, and Look Upstairs. Eye candy galore on her site here

There's also Pocket Design, whose principle is the all conquering Brett Piva. His hand lettering is popping up all around Newcastle - think The Edwards - and his websites and graphic design are as original as they are high level. Check his stuff out here.

There's also architect J.P.Hellowell, who specialises in domestic interiors, additions and new builds - he also completed a Bachelor of Construction Management, and a Master's in Architecture at UNSW where he was also teaching academic. He can take even the most complex, avante garde projects through to completion. Check out his beautiful site here.

There's also jewellers and artists, Sian Edwards and Eleanor Hanlon and Jemma Clifford, two great little creative agencies - Crackler, and Beech and Co - and communication tech experts Your Modern Practice

The place is not just functional and packed full of great creatives, it's serious eye candy. Check out the shot, it's c/o of Hannah Rose