In a Room is a conversation series where we ask our friends to share their favourite domestic spaces. For this edition, we’re joined by musician, instrument repairer, and HISS founder LUKE ELLIOTT.
Whether he’s building recording devices from scratch or turning a living room into a dancefloor, Luke is someone who lives deeply in sound. Based in Melbourne, he’s the founder of HISS — a community-led recording platform built on curiosity, field recordings, and a love of beautifully strange audio. The latest release from HISS is Pitchi, a portable device that lets you record and play back and modify short messages — like an audio time capsule for the everyday. The latest edition features original artwork by none other than David Booth (Ghostpatrol), who readers may recognise from his own In a Room feature.
In this edition, Luke reflects on the rooms that shaped him — from his grandfather’s shed to a dream conversation pit sunk deep into a modernist icon. He shares the role lighting plays in his creative mood, what poor acoustics reveal about priorities, and why he’s obsessed with the subtle details that make a space feel considered.
Luke Elliot with Pluto
Which room are you in today?
I’m in my home studio — a space that doubles as both a creative hub and a workshop. It’s where I tinker with ideas, restore and repair instruments, and drink way too much coffee. Today I’m deep in some electronics work, developing a new project. It feels especially cosy right now — my dog Pluto’s snoozing nearby, and I’ve got a great episode of Creative or Dead playing in the background.
Which room is the heart of your home?
The lounge is definitely the heart of our home. It’s where my partner and I unwind, chat, listen to records, share a glass of wine — and, more than once, turn it into a full-blown dancefloor. The Thong Song gets a lot of airtime.
Is there a room from your past that has stayed with you?
My grandpa’s shed. I can still remember the smell of it. As a kid, I didn’t know what most of the tools were or how they worked, but I knew they had the power to make something — something with purpose. That idea of a space dedicated to creating and discovery has stuck with me ever since.
What makes a room feel like home and not just a space?
Music is essential — and a good scent helps too. But the real key for me is lighting. Natural light during the day, then something soft and subtle at night. I’m completely obsessed with dimmers. I’ll spend way too long fine-tuning the lighting until it feels just right.
Luke Elliot's Home Studio
What sort of rooms do you try and avoid?
I can’t stand rooms with bad acoustics. So many venues and public spaces are designed to look great, but sound is totally overlooked. You end up shouting across the table all night. It fascinates me that we put so much effort into how things look, but not nearly enough into how they sound.
Is there a kind of room you’re always drawn to?
I’m always drawn to rooms that feel considered — where someone’s clearly thought about the details. I tend to prefer smaller spaces over big open ones, especially when they tell a story or reflect the personality of the person who created them.
What is your all time favourite room?
Anyone who knows me knows I’m obsessed with conversation pits. I follow this account that shares incredible ones, but my favourite is at Heidi Modern — it’s iconic. A sunken space designed purely for talking? I just want to sink in and stay there forever.
Conversation Pit at Heidi Modern
