FAQs
Where are you based?
Magenta House is located in the eclectic suburb of east Redfern, a stone's throw from Bourke St in Surry Hills. We operate in a live/work/create homespace in a tight-knit neighbourhood, so our address is provided to visitors for now. Through our practices, we remain indebted to the knowledge systems carried across generations by First Nations peoples and we recognise Redfern's significant history as an epicentre for Aboriginal activism, education and creativity.
Who runs Magenta House?
Magenta House is managed by its Housekeeper Mariam Ella Arcilla, who founded the initiative in April 2023 alongside her partner Mason Kimber. Currently, Mariam organises our programs/events, partnerships, shop, and online & social content. Meanwhile, Mason assists with accounts, music sessions, and home logistics.
Why did you start Magenta House?
We (Mason & Mariam) met in a Redfern sharehouse in late 2017, where we bonded pronto through our overlapping passions in art, architecture, and placemaking. When we moved into the house that would be called Magenta House (in 2022), we began to think about the ways that ideas interweave during intimate gatherings and the role that a home can play in synergising these encounters. So in early 2023, Mariam trialled talks, supperclubs, coworking days, and reading sessions with close friends. These test labs helped inform the development of Magenta House. Ultimately, this project explores creative communions and circular learning through the lens of hosts and guests.
Do you run a Shop? What do you sell?
Yes! We launched Magenta House Shop in December 2024 and currently stock publications and artisanal products that explore food cultures, heritage ventures, and experimental publishing across Asia and Australia. To curate this inventory, Mariam works closely with a small suite of partners, artists and independent print-houses to source items that focus on eco-friendly, one-of-a-kind, and limited-run creations. Proceeds from some sales are redistributed to artisan communities and social enterprises, while other profits go towards funding Magenta programs.
I want to visit the Magenta House Shop / Magenta House Library! How do I contact you?
We operate the Shop primarily online and are open on weekends by appointment and during Magenta House pop-ups. Our Library is also open by appointment and during open days, which we usually announce on Instagram. Access hours vary depending on our schedule (we work freelance to sustain Magenta). Feel free to DM Mariam on Instagram or use the Contact Us form to book a visit.
Where did the name come from?
Because we work in the visual fields, we've always been drawn to the colour 'magenta' - an extra-spectral tone that blends together eclecticism, creativity, harmony, and knowledge. Referred to as an 'invented colour' by colour psychologists, magenta represents our unpinned practices and the prismatic nature of our collaborators who work across art, food, design, literature, music and social sciences. Our small space is a home for these passions to collide and ferment.
Who funds your programs?
Magenta programs are entirely self-funded. We maintain freelance work to enable us to allocate time to set up and reflexively run our events, shop and library sessions. The events we host are free or by-donation, with some ticketed events arranged by organisers. Recouped funds are circulated between collaborators and go towards future projects, research and materials. By subscribing to a paid Substack tier, you will help continue the work we do at Magenta.
What is the story behind the house design?
Our space is a re-envisioned 19th century Victorian terrace designed by award-winning New Zealand architect Adele McNab. The 62m2 property is separated two living pavilions with an internal courtyard graced by a majestic Grass Tree. Customised pocket doors and windows were installed to consider weather, privacy and aesthetics. The architectural palettes of sienna, honeycomb, cedar and snow- grey evoke the feeling of a cabin-style escape within an inner-city area. In 2021, Adele received the Australian Institute of Architects Award and was shortlisted for a Houses Award–for the design of this house. When Mariam & Mason became homeowners in January 2022, they made further additions–with Adele’s blessing–by constructing a library structure and creative studio, evolving the homespace areas into a living program. Prior to Magenta House, the home design was featured in Local Projects, Architecture magazine, Yellowtrace, and The Design Files. It was previously known as ‘Riley’s Terrace’ as an ode to Adele's young son. Read about Adele’s practice here.
I have an idea! Do you accept pitches?
Yes! We accept emailed proposals for events or collaborations from individuals and collectives in Australia and internationally. Please note, Magenta House is a bespoke architectural micro-terrace, so we're particular about the projects we have capacity to support. Ultimately, we keep interior gatherings small and chummy and we align with people, collectives and businesses that share our ethos. Explore our Programs sections and image gallery or visit our Instagram channel for more details and examples of previous programs.
Can I hire the house for a one-off private event or photoshoot?
Yes! Magenta is available for commercial photoshoots, product launches, film-shoots and private events, depending on the nature of the project. Get in touch here to discuss.
Who made the Magenta House brandmark?
This was designed by Studio Van Low. We commissioned Van to envision a brandmark that would symbolise the cross-pollination of ideas in the same way that atoms cluster and become drawn to one another. As a term, 'magenta' brings together a prism of creative disciplines and ways of practicing, and we yearned to reflect this through our multimodal program and evolving circle of collaborators. Van's hand-drawn letters pay homage to the Cowra pebbles in the courtyard and references the grassroots spirit of our practice and programs. The font we use is TD Sulog. 'Sulog' means "current" or "flow of water" in Filipino Cebuano language and represents the stream of ideas between our collaborative projects.
Got more questions? Connect with us via the Contact form!