A message from our Founder, Nick McKimm.
It’s hard to believe that mckimm has been around for 35 years.
When I started the business in Brighton in 1991, I certainly wasn’t thinking about where it might be in 35 years’ time. Once I became a registered builder, I got my licence and put an ad in the local paper, the Bayside Times. That was about as sophisticated as the business plan was.
My first jobs were small. The first was a photography studio in Hampton, followed by a house in Brighton that, at the time, felt like a very big project. Every job was a stepping stone. One led to another, and gradually the work became larger, more sophisticated and more architectural.
What has stayed the same through all of that is the way we approach the work. I’ve always believed in doing things properly, using good trades and taking pride in the finished result. I’ve also always felt comfortable talking to people. Being approachable has been important to me from the beginning, particularly because building a home is such an emotional process.
Over time, I realised there was an opportunity to bring more of the process together. I wanted mckimm to have its own way of doing things, rather than simply building someone else’s design. The introduction of architecture and interior design was a significant turning point, and 11 Yuille Street in Brighton in 2011 was the project that really brought it to life. I had always held a genuine passion for design, so this step was a significant one for the business.
That house went on Grand Designs and received an incredible amount of attention. More importantly, it established many of the principles that still inform our work today: clean lines, generous spaces, strong connections between indoors and out, and a real focus on the details.
Since then, mckimm has continued to evolve. We’ve brought interiors and furniture into the offering, expanded into new parts of Australia and more recently worked with clients internationally. I don’t see this as moving away from what we’ve always done, rather we’re offering more around the same core value: designing and building exceptional homes.
The homes themselves have changed too. People expect more from their homes now. They want spaces that support different stages of family life, places for wellness, entertaining and working, and greater consideration of light, acoustics, energy efficiency and how a home makes you feel.
For me, luxury has never been about following trends. It’s in the small things: light, shadow lines, full-height doors, honest materials, thermal and acoustic performance and all the practical decisions that make a home enjoyable to live in. Often, the best parts are the things you don’t immediately notice.
Looking back, I’m proud of what we’ve built, but I don’t spend a lot of time reflecting on it. You tend to put your head down and keep going, particularly in construction, where there is always another problem to solve.
So 35 years is a good opportunity to pause for a moment and recognise how far we’ve come. Throughout the year we look forward to sharing more about the people behind the projects.
I’m incredibly grateful to the people who have been part of it: our team, our trades, our architects and designers, and most importantly, our clients who have trusted us with their homes.
I still want to keep getting better at what we do. I don’t know exactly what mckimm will look like in another 35 years. But I do know that I want us to remain curious, collaborating, and keep refining what we do – create beautiful homes that people love to live in, for generations.
Nick
