Nicole England is a Melbourne, Australia-based photographer, director, artist and author. She grew up in Auckland, New Zealand within a family of architects and interior designers and has been living in Australia for almost 20 years. She studied fine arts at Auckland University, specializing in photography. She’s been photographing the work of architects and interior designers for more than 10 years, and recently published two editions of a book called “Resident Dog,” featuring photographs of canines in well-designed spaces. A+A interviewed her via email:
So why a book called “Resident Dog”? As an architectural photographer, the houses I loved photographing the most were the ones where dogs were present. They lighten the mood, help you relax, and allow you to connect to the architecture in a much more relaxed way.
And why these environments? I am an architectural photographer, not a pet photographer, so the architecture was always the most important component. I look for the best residential architecture I can find that has a resident dog. The dogs are never posed or looking cheesy – they’re just there, doing their thing, lying in the sun, or sniffing around kitchens.
Who are some of the architects involved? In Book 1, I approached some of the biggest names in Australian architecture and interiors – Hassell, Hecker Guthrie, Ian Moore, JCB, Kennedy Nolan, SJB, Richards and Spence and Smart Design. In Book 2, the content is international, so I approached some of the biggest names around the world – Luis Barragan, Kelly Wearstler, Studio KO, Jonathan Adler, John Lautner and Robin Boyd.
The intent of the book? To inspire design and architecture lovers, to make people smile and bring them a little joy, and to break down the walls a little and show how incredible architecture can be enjoyed by everyone. And to show off my best photography.
Its design inspiration? I love the simplicity and minimalism of the books (and interiors) by Vincent Van Duysen and Joseph Dirand. “Resident Dog” is also minimal in its design, with lots of white space and not much text, allowing the photography to be the hero.
The challenges in pulling it together? For Book 1, convincing people that this was not going to be another cheesy book about dogs – it is an architecture book brought to life by the dogs. And that it would be tasteful. For book 2, finding all the most amazing international houses in a very tight timeframe, and then heading off on a six-week trip to photograph them all, pre-COVID, thank goodness.
Foe more, go here.
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All images © Nicole England
