In Addition's Melbourne studio

Established only two years ago, In Addition has quickly made its presence felt within the architecture and design community in Australia.

With vast experience between the two co-founders, Ana Ćalić McLean and Josh McLean, the pair hit the ground running in 2023 after deciding to leave their respective positions, get married and create In Addition.

The name In Addition was chosen to represent the idea that this is a practice that places the work before the individual. Their team of six creatives all contribute to the success of the studio, every commission backed by the expert talent and guidance of the founders – and the results speak for themselves.

For both Ana and Josh, In Addition gives them the freedom to return to the fundamentals of design – sourcing materials, establishing relationships with clients and crafting projects hands-on, rather than simply managing staff (as both were senior members at other renowned practices). In a studio where there is no hierarchy, personal approaches are central to achieving the best outcome for a project.

“We’re at about six people and we never wanted to get bigger than that- we really wanted to have those genuine connections with our clients again and to be bold and in our studio,” Ana reflects. “A smaller practice has allowed Josh and I to personally do so many things that we weren’t doing anymore while running big teams, like scheduling, calling suppliers, etc. There was an opportunity to have a personal approach, do things a little bit differently, to slow down and relax.”

Josh McLean, originally from Aotearoa/New Zealand, honed his craft across London, Australia and Dubai, before finally settling in Melbourne. Ana Ćalić McLean was born in Perth and moved to Melbourne in 2015. Each has designed award winning projects and together they’ve built a partnership that is both like-minded and complementary.

With the move to their new studio in Melbourne, In Addition is more in demand than ever. There are a plethora of commissions on the drawing board with three large residential projects, a new build in Sydney and two heritage homes in Melbourne, Programa’s headquarters in Richmond and a renewables company’s workplace in Sydney, as well as three restaurants in Melbourne. Plus, there are nine retail projects in various stages of design and construction for July, Lune, Buff and Sheet Society.

Many of the clients are repeat – in two short years there have been 10 stores completed for July, and one each for Lune, Buff and Sheet Society, alongside other projects.

In Addition has set a frenetic pace for designing and realising its work, however it is the seamless integration of interiors with architecture and the ability to create a deep connection with its clients that has made this practice stand out. For Ana and Josh, their team is crucial and each member is empowered to create their best work and take responsibility for a project.

Clients are central to every project and the focus is always on their needs and expectations, to manage and translate ideas of a shared vision and achieve an exceptional result.

In Addition designs for the brief and the location- whether it’s a retail store in Brisbane, a residence in Sydney or a workplace in Melbourne, every project is site-specific, appropriate and singular. Colour features prominently when the brief calls for it- as seen in the July stores spread across Australia. A colourful product in itself, July’s interiors are bold and expressive, yet still showcase the pieces with restraint and precision.

“Many of the people that we started working with two years ago were in the infancy of their businesses, like Hommey and Eva,” says Josh. “Now we are designing the second, third or even the fourth store for them. There’s been this beautiful synergy with our growth and our clients’ growth- we’re really growing together.”

Balancing work and life is equally important for Ana and Josh. Ana is driven by the desire to challenge traditional studio structures, ensuring time for both family and creative fulfilment, for everyone in the office. Josh shares a vision of a supportive, inclusive studio culture – one that feels as welcoming as it is ambitious.

With multiple projects completed, documented and under construction across Australia, In Addition is making its mark across the nation, showing what a small, values-driven practice can achieve – design that listens, connects and always leaves a thoughtful imprint on people and place.

In 2025, In Addition was shortlisted in The Retail Space category of the INDE.Awards for its projects Hommey and Lune Rosebery, with Cieran Murphy winning The Photographer – Commercial award for his imagery of Lune Rosebery.

In Addition
inaddition.studio

Photography
Cieran Murphy