the philosophy

The alchemist smith is a recently established creative practice that aggregates raw creative talent, skill and expertise as a dynamic set of ingredients to deliver authentic outcomes that are well considered and exceptionally crafted.

For it’s multidisciplinary founder, its also a way of thinking and seeing the world that she wants to provide to others, clients and collaborators alike. To share in her passion for harnessing intellectual curiosity (alchemy) and artisanal craft (smith) in holistic measure.

No matter the complexity we are committed to offering an authentic, tailored approach that’s unique to the custodians of the design and bears substance to the principles upon which the alchemist smith is founded…and not without a sense of humour stirred in to the mix!

a note from claire smith…

If I think back to a time when it was realised that I was creatively inclined, I couldn’t say there was one. I have always been a dreamer, a doer, and a believer in the calling to be creative. Coming from a genetic pool of creatives & inventors, my mother always encouraged and compelled me to nurture and develop a vast creative skillset from the moment she saw a talent, taking on extracurricular courses, surrounded by drawing supplies and self made fun. For me, creativity isn’t so much an attitude as a way of living. Without breathing it, feeling it, flexing it, I cannot imagine life without it.

My tutors and mentors were always quick to pick up on this and tirelessly challenged me to explore the intersection of ideas and discourse in the space between these various technical crafts. I became a purveyor of moods & patinas, collector of curiosities and curiosity, wilderness and spatial explorer, installation artist meets architectural guru, ambassador of antiquity but also the avant-garde.

As a walking contradiction, over the past 10 years I have built up a personal profile based on commercial endurance, tempered creative passion, project & client management and strategic innovation. Well known in the construction industry as an all-rounder, I have been unafraid of asking the hard questions and challenging the status quo, including my own, those I have worked for & mentored.

Today, geared with the contractual know how, I’m breathing passion & life into that space between art & design, eccentric and pragmatist, instinct and expertise, introvert & extrovert; to provide you and my global design community with not only my skill set but also my unique mindset. To satisfy my need to be hands-on but challenged by you to provide a distinctive perspective..