Creating Connections

When we first dreamed up the concept for Architecture + Design Library (ADL), our focus was practical: to create a resource-rich space that supported ourselves and others in the architecture and design community. We wanted somewhere to access samples, meet clients, work in peace, and maybe bump into another creative over coffee. What we didn’t fully realise at the time—what’s turned out to be one of the most rewarding parts of building ADL—was the unexpected magic of connection.

Creating connections has become one of the richest, most powerful by-products of this project.

We see it daily: a designer drops in to grab a tile sample and ends up meeting an architect they’ve admired from afar. Before long, they’re chatting over shared values, collaborating on a new project, or swapping notes on local builders. Sometimes it’s even more subtle—a shared desk or office space leads to casual conversations that spark creative ideas, challenge thinking, or result in long-term working relationships.

One of the most exciting ripple effects has been seeing brands and specifiers connect in a more human way. When you can touch and feel a product, see it in context, and ask real questions—rather than scrolling online—it shifts how decisions are made. Suddenly, product selections are more thoughtful, informed, and aligned with design vision. Even better? We’ve introduced brands to specifiers who had never heard of them before—and vice versa. Watching these relationships grow, knowing we played a small part in it, is incredibly rewarding.

We’ve also found ourselves becoming connectors. Students with mentors. We’ve hosted workshops, presentations, and informal chats that have sparked new ways of thinking. Sometimes these moments are structured, but often they happen organically—someone overhears a conversation, joins in, and suddenly the seeds of collaboration are planted.

The educational content we bring into the space is another layer of connection. It’s knowledge that doesn’t just sit in notebooks—it’s immediately useful, relevant, and shared.

And on a personal note, we’ve made connections with brands and professionals we’d never even known existed before ADL. Our own understanding of the industry has deepened. Our community has grown. We’ve felt supported and inspired in ways we didn’t expect. It’s not just about running a business—it’s about being part of something bigger, more collaborative, and more generous.

Creating AD Library was about resources. But what we ended up creating—without even planning for it—was a hub of connection. And honestly? That might be the best part of all.