Table of contents for 88 September - October 2015 in (inside) interior design review

So the year is quickly drawing to a close, but not before we have the honour and privilege to present the shortlisted projects and objects for the 2015 Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA). This bumper issue will delight you with the myriad projects and products designed by the best designers, architects and object makers in the country and what an array there is! Entries this year exceeded all expectations in quality and quantity proving that 2015 was a sensational one for the built environment. The Residential Single category received the most submissions and proved that indeed our homes are our castles, be they small and carefully curated or large and opulent. As you will see in the following pages, however, all other categories showcase projects that feed our design souls…

Advertising agency Media Merchants collaborated with Bullock De Barbera Architects to create a new design for its Brisbane office, which would reflect its young, dynamic and creative culture. The Brisbane office, located in Fortitude Valley, takes its design cues from the creative culture of media agencies and the surrounding neighbourhood to express a relaxed, eclectic scene in contrast to the corporate hub of the CBD. The brief for the design focused on maximising the natural light, while ensuring that all staff were able to enjoy the views of the exterior landscape. Just as important, however, was the opportunity to promote the open and shared communication style between leaders and staff of both creative and media teams. Previously, employees had been segregated into groups, separated by full-height partitioning, and so the…

A vision is a beautiful thing and when that vision becomes reality it’s something to behold. Brodie Neill, furniture designer and maker, is a case in point. Through his imaginative designs and dogged determination, Neill has achieved what few can only dream of – success in the challenging world of furniture design. Born in Tasmania, Neill studied at the University of Tasmania and learned his trade, although he had been ‘making’ since he was a teenager. To further his development and follow the desire to discover the world, he moved to the US to study at the Rhode Island School of Design. From there it was on to London where he set up his studio with the plan to realise his own designs and follow his own aesthetic ideas. There’s…

1 | Photosynth Shooting pictures of large, complex objects can be hard. For example, imagine walking into a room with ornate furnishings and fittings and trying to capture that in an image. Photosynth is a free app from Microsoft that lets you take a series of photos using your Windows Phone or iPhone. You can use Photosynth to take hundreds of pictures, very quickly, as you walk around a statue. The app then puts all those together, so you can have a three-dimensional panorama you can view either from a smartphone or via a web browser if you share the image online. Or you can do the same with the inside of a room. Free, iPhone, Windows 2 | Adobe Shape CC Imagine being able to see an object and…

Approaching the Breville office project from an operational perspective, arnoldlane has created a series of environments that merge areas of expertise in precise relationship to overlapping requirements. And while this is true of pragmatic zones, such as test kitchens between designers and engineers, it is also true of the marketing and meeting areas, which have taken on a domestic ambiance in keeping with the product. Binding the whole is a crisp contemporaneity that heralds Breville’s current innovation and place within the celebrity chef arena, while showcasing the products that have led the way. Rather fabulously the ‘Breville’ takes pride of place as the hero wall motif. Instantly recognisable, the triangular fan of teardrops has been reimagined – by a set designer in plaster and fibreglass, cast in Breville’s Botany factory…

Halliday+ Baillie Simonswerk Tectus concealed door hinge system The top-quality German-made Simonswerk Tectus concealed door hinge system is the perfect accompaniment to Halliday + Baillie’s already extensive range of flush sliding and flush lever handles for hinged doors. Fully adjustable, this hinge system provides unparalleled precision and control. Simonswerk Tectus hinges are incredibly versatile and can accommodate door weights between 40kg and 200kg. Contact Halliday + Baillie for more technical information. Available in a number of finishes including satin chrome, bronze metallic, Powdercoat white and matte black. hallidaybaillie.com Instyle Frequency wall covering Frequency is a high impact wall covering that fuses a bold and large-scale pattern with a soft, beautiful texture. Inspired by the music of the 70s and the visual representation of a sound wave, the Frequency pattern is…

01 . JUNCTION PR. ABEO DESIGN PH. JAMES GEER; RHYS LESLIE Comprising a bar and dining experience within the Moama Bowling Club, Junction captures the heritage and character of the local Moama Echuca riverside region. The project delivers a sophisticated yet relaxed dining experience where the rustic charm of colonial days and the comfort of contemporary culture meet. 02 . ARCHIE ROSE DISTILLING CO. PR. ACME & CO PH. MURRAY FREDERICKS The Archie Rose Distillery design took a rather unremarkable steel shed and created a compelling new establishment where artisanal making occupies centre stage. It is a total sensory journey that educates and engages patrons with the industrial processes of distillation, the product consumed at the bar and the Archie Rose brand. 03 . SEAN'S KITCHEN PR. ALEXANDER & CO.…

01 . SEAVIEW CRESCENT PR. ALEXANDRA KIDD DESIGN PH. SHARYN CAIRNS In reimagining the interiors of this iconic home, the design observes and is sympathetic to the architectural pedigree, while paying homage to its spectacular seaside location. The interior palette is inspired by the ocean at different times of the day, our client’s bold art collection, and Moroccan rug obsession. 02 . CRONULLA RESIDENCE  PR. AMBER ROAD PH. PRUE ROSCOE In keeping with the client's brief, the design is as unpretentious and simple as possible. Drawing on Wabi Sabi, which champions the simple, slow and uncluttered, the 10-metre long floating concrete bench, for example, bridges the living areas while integrating the 1.8-metre American oak sliding panel, edged in bronze. 03 . FIGTREE HOUSE PR. ARENT & PYKE PH. FELIX FOREST…

01 . UWS LIBRARY, KINGSWOOD CAMPUS PR. ALLEN JACK+COTTIER PH. MICHAEL NICHOLSON Rather than providing a traditional quiet space for the repository of books the UWS Library embodies a living room away from home. Importantly, the design allows access to digital and hard copy knowledge in a series of settings conducive to both silent and noisy environments. 02 . TREASURY THEATRE PR. ARTILLERY INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE PH. SIMON WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY The Treasury Theatre is a Victorian Government facility located within the Heritage overlay Macarthur Place precinct. Breathing new life into the Theatre’s future, the design integrates new technologies, provides equity and encourages increased usage. 03 . THE ELIZABETH BLACKBURN SCHOOL OF SCIENCES PR. CLARKEHOPKINSCLARKE ARCHITECTS PH. DIANNA SNAPE Providing a unique tertiary-style learning environment, the new Elizabeth Blackburn School of Sciences,…

Anthony Caruana Anthony has worked for almost every major masthead in the Australian IT press. As an experienced IT professional – having worked as the lead IT executive in several businesses – he brings a unique insight to his reporting of enterprise IT. He was the foundation editor of Technology Decisions and currently is the editor of Macworld Australia, as well as being a freelance writer, working for several other major publications. Nicole England After studying photography at Elam School of Fine Art in the mid 1990s, Nicole spent a number of years in the world of furniture design and print media before focusing on the photography of architecture and interiors. Now working mainly between Sydney and Melbourne, she is particularly interested in capturing the intimacy and energy of the…

Shaun Lockyer Architects (SLA) has been enjoying living in the studio’s own home, ‘W22’, for just a little over a year. The building is located at 22 Wyandra Street (hence W22) Newstead, Brisbane – a thriving riverside precinct with a mix of residential, retail, industry and cafés. The project originated through a collaboration of three friends in need of a more sympathetic office environment. The answer was to buy a 30-year-old, 550-square metre, sawtooth warehouse – previously used for storing white goods – and design and build appropriate office facilities. The design includes six offices on the first floor, a café space on the ground floor and space for 10 to 15 cars for the tenants’ commercial operations. Two street frontages, along with the linear north-facing clerestory windows, presented an…

How did you come to design? For me, the desire to make things and collaborate with others started at an early age. I spent part of my childhood on the Jersey Shore, where I transformed our family’s garage for me and my four brothers, over and over, from a fantasy clubhouse, to a haunted house on Halloween, to a black box theatre. My mother, a dancer and choreographer, also ran a community theatre and often cast me in productions. That might have been the first clue that the power of shared experiences in the public realm would be a passion of mine. You trained as an architect and have since propelled the business to great heights. Tell us about the journey. My favourite childhood experiences led to my interest in…

These days our capital city Canberra has become a destination, not just for the politicians and diplomats, but for design-minded visitors as well. As a carefully curated city, it ticks all the boxes, but some would say the soul of Canberra has never really developed – the people who live there a mere adjunct to Walter Burley Griffin’s architecture. Over the last few years, however, there has been a paradigm shift towards engaging the population through design as a living, breathing, social experience. Of course, I’m talking about the latest city precinct of NewActon, a mixed-use building and apartment complex that showcases design and the artisan, and has sustainability at its heart. Completed in 2011, NewActon with its myriad offering of residential apartments, hotels, restaurants, cinemas and commercial and retail…

Combining the old with the new is a given when designing in major Australian cities. Heritage overlays are an integral part of architecture and design, but it takes stamina and sensitivity to acquire permits, rework an existing floor plan and design a modern addition. Abstract House was a project four years in the making, and taking the time to ‘get things right’ has paid off. The owner commissioned Matt Gibson, from Matt Gibson Architecture and Design, to design a home that would maximise the potential of the site and provide outstanding amenities for an active family of four. Together they have created a luxurious and sophisticated home. The client had lived in London and Hong Kong for some years and was most comfortable with a pared back aesthetic, which Gibson…

In business these days it is not enough to deliver fine products with a well-respected brand name; service is key in every relationship and this is especially important for architects and designers. Miele, as an undisputed leader in the appliance industry, understands this and service is central to its offering. Through its dedicated specialist Project Team, Miele has become a trusted adviser to some of Australia’s most prestigious residential developments. The team works with architects and interior designers as a committed project partner from the inception of a design space, providing appliance information and product design details in support of current trends, through to recommendations regarding appliance layout and installation. As Miele head of project sales, Simon Balzer, explains, “Our collaborative partnership is for the term of the project and…

We are proud to present the (inside) interior design IDEA 2015 shortlist. As you will see, the projects and products featured in the following pages are exceptional and we would like to congratulate all who entered. The awards this year received a record number of submissions with 200 finalists across 12 categories. These categories, along with four special awards, were judged by our jury in August and the winners will be revealed on 20 November at the gala party in Melbourne. We look forward to seeing you all at the Melbourne Museum for a night of excitement and celebration. Jan and Gillian, co-editors (inside) OVERALL SPONSOR SPONSORS…

01 . STANLEY AVENUE PR. ALEXANDRA KIDD DESIGN PH. SHARYN CAIRNS An abundance of elegant finishes including linens, silks, wallpaper, cottons, wool, marble and stone coalesce to create a classic contemporary Sydney home focused on family, particularly the couple’s seven grandchildren. Moreover, removing a wall at the entrance of the home has created a grand hallway with spectacular water views. 02 . CRONULLA RESIDENCE PR. AMBER ROAD PH. PRUE ROSCOE In keeping with the client’s brief, the design is as unpretentious and simple as possible. Drawing on Wabi Sabi, which champions the simple, slow and uncluttered, the 10-metre long floating concrete bench, for example, bridges the living areas while integrating the 1.8-metre American oak sliding panel, edged in bronze. 03 . TOWER HOUSE PR. ANDREW MAYNARD ARCHITECTS PH. PETER BENNETTS…

01 . BREVILLE PR. ARNOLDLANE PH. NICOLE ENGLAND Utilising the ubiquitous jaffle maker motif, the reception references this iconic design in an over scaled sculptural element that signifies the history and strength of the brand. Visitors are immersed with ‘Food Thinkers’ via sensory experiences including showrooms that feel more like residences, while test kitchens and engineering areas are connected directly. 02 . CORRS CHAMBERS WESTGARTH, BRISBANE PR. BATES SMART PH. CHRISTOPHER FREDERICK JONES An open and flexible legal workplace resultant of a clear business strategy and a consistent design philosophy. Subtle design references to the base building are combined with local inspiration to capture the personality of the Brisbane team and provide a regional identity for a globally networked Australian firm. 03 . THE AUSTRALIAN LIQUIDITY CENTRE PR. BATES SMART…

01 . FANULI MELBOURNE PR. BRADHLY LE PH. NICOLE ENGLAND With infrastructure left raw and largely exposed, a dramatic backdrop of perforated steel mesh, softened by subtle illumination, sets the stage for Fanuli's new flagship store in Melbourne. The articulation of timber elements reflects the handcrafted nature of furniture manufacturing, while providing devices to identify the various zones. 02 . UGG AUSTRALIA PR. COMA PH. TOM FERGUSON A customer-focused space, this is warm and inviting, comfortable and luxurious like the products it sells. The design reinterprets the international brand position and brings this global brand to Australia, creating a cohesive experience that is internationally recognisable and uniquely Australian at the same time. 03 . ROJI SALON PR. CRAIG TAN ARCHITECTS PH. ROSS HONEYSETT Evoking a journey of renewal, the Roji…

01 . ROSEWOOD BEIJING PR. BAR STUDIO PH. ROSEWOOD BEIJING The project transposes the essence of a private residence to a large-scale hotel. Underpinning the diverse spaces and intimate, relaxed atmosphere are place-based design concepts. Ultimately, the design is a unique and sincere response to location that redefines the concept of a luxury hotel in contemporary Asia. 02 . HOLBORN GRIND PR. BIASOL: DESIGN STUDIO PH. PAUL WINCH FURNESS Authentic original materials exposed and retained during construction coalesce to capture a contemporary balance between vintage and refined. The colour and material palette, including green leather banquettes, exposed bricks and reclaimed oak timbers, complement the antique brass cocktail bar shelving inspired by a 1950s brass cocktail cart. 03 . HERMÈS VITRINE D'ARTISTE PR. CHRISTOPHER BOOTS WITH HERMÈS PH. LAUREN COLEMAN Responding…

01 . HECKER GUTHRIE PH. EARL CARTER Under the direction of Paul Hecker and Hamish Guthrie, the studio of Hecker Guthrie is a multidisciplinary practice, based in Melbourne. Hecker Guthrie draws on the foundations and design principles that have been developed over the last decade of practice and the studio’s work is driven by the principles of authenticity, consideration and enthusiasm. 02 . JACKSON CLEMENTS BURROWS PH. JOHN GOLLINGS Jackson Clements Burrows was established in 1998 by Tim Jackson, Jon Clements and Graham Burrows to form a collaborative team with a shared commitment to the exploration of innovative architecture, driven by environmentally sustainable design principles. JCB is based in Melbourne and is a design-focused studio committed to the delivery of exceptional architecture, interior and urban design. 03 . JOHN WARDLE…

01 . TINA ENGELEN PH. ROSS HONEYSETT Tina Engelen studied interior design at Sydney College of the Arts and became features editor at Interior Design and Architecture. She interned with Arclinea and Burley Katon Halliday and formed Daffodil with Danny Venlet and Marc Newson in 1990, then established the architectural practice of Engelen Moore with Ian Moore in 1995. Engelen Moore was extensively published both in Australia and overseas and achieved many awards for its projects. Engelen is currently co-director at COAP with Will Fung and their commissions include projects from the hospitality, retail, residential and commercial areas. 0 2 . NIK KARALIS Nik Karalis, Woods Bagot’s group managing director and CEO, possesses a diverse portfolio of civic, architectural and interior projects. His work has received international acclaim and he…

This tired Victorian residence has been given a complete redesign with a new addition completing the vision. The clients’ initial brief to Robson Rak Architects was for a design that allowed the new rear living spaces to open to, and include, the outside and these new spaces were to fuse seamlessly with the remodelled established section of the house. Robson Rak demolished the original 1980s addition that had previously been elevated one metre above the backyard and relocated the change of level to the end of the hallway. The original ceiling height of 3.8 metres was carried through to the new addition that consists of living space, kitchen, pantry and laundry. The kitchen area has full-height bi-fold doors for complete integration to the outside, and the living area, with banquette…

designers & producers: Sebastian Cox + Laura Ellen Bacon commissioning body_ The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) event_ Clerkenwell Design Week – Museum of the Order of St John, London, May '15 Comprising a site-specific architectural sculpture exploring visual weight as a cohort of scale, The Invisible Store of Happiness brings together the talents of two of the UK’s rising stars. One of the most innovative design thinkers to emerge in recent years, furniture maker Sebastian Cox produces work that is paradoxically centred on handcrafted pieces made from coppiced timbers, and in particular hazel. Kevin McCloud has said of him, “Sebastian Cox is at the very pointy end of showing us just how versatile and productive our coppiced woodland can be. He is a true adventurer”, while Sir Terence Conran…

Beautifully poised to optimise light, aspect and comfort, House on Dalley Avenue in Sydney’s Vaucluse is quintessential to the European Australian hybrid that compounds luxuriously defined living with a perfectly framed view. As such it is a considered and long-term approach to the core qualities of the build that define this renovation. Indeed, hydronic underfloor heating, double-glazing, stone, wood and thermal mass coalesce to provide an interior expressed via the sensations of comfort. Which is not to say aesthetics have been neglected; rather, the aesthetics are integral to the solutions that facilitate the ambient qualities. As Kieran McInerney explains, the client brief was not only towards their own experience of the house, but also a means to future proof their investment. Effectively, the renovation revolving door in Sydney’s eastern suburbs…

Iceboxes were de rigueur until the late 19th century, but a shortage of natural ice in 1890 was all that savvy engineers needed to start tinkering with mechanical means of making ice, which led to the first fridges arriving in Australia in 1927, designed by General Electric. Technology and innovation then enabled the humble icebox to evolve through the decades, and the first refrigerators were a far cry from the shiny, metallic behemoths that stand like sentinels in our kitchens today. But it’s taken a fair few years to get this far. A case in point is Westye F Bakke, who in 1943 designed his first freestanding freezer prototype amid wartime shortages. Built in his basement from salvaged scrap metal, the design was the catalyst for him to launch his…

Instyle is pleased to introduce two exciting new designs to its Ecoustic Prints range for screen and ceiling applications. Designed by the Instyle design studio, Ecoustic Raw is a textural print that incorporates the beauty of natural unfinished and weathered surfaces. The juxtaposition of textural imagery, more commonly associated with hard surfaces, and the base soft textile provides a unique acoustic solution with an industrial aesthetic. Ecoustic Raw was created by manipulating photographic imagery of bricks and stones into a repeating textural design. This new organic style of pattern design has seven colourways and is available on five marle and two solid Ecoustic felt colours, ranging from white through to jet. The ink and base colours achieve a subtle contrast and produce colours reminiscent of stone and cement. In addition,…

01 . ROB BACKHOUSE As managing director of HASSELL, Rob Backhouse has spent the past two decades building a reputation for design innovation and leadership on major projects throughout Australia and Asia. His work includes some of the world’s largest and most complex workplaces, as well as unique apartments and houses. 02 . SUE FENTON Senior associate at Woods Bagot. Sue Fenton has over 15 years’ experience covering a vast range of projects and all aspects of project delivery. Her focus is on quality design outcomes that are developed through a collaborative design process. Sue has a passionate commitment to design excellence and engages with RMIT’s education program. 03 . ADAM GOODRUM Designer at Adam Goodrum Studio. Adam Goodrum has received national and international acclaim for his product designs, which…

01 . SIX THIELE APARTMENTS PR. CLARKEHOPKINSCLARKE ARCHITECTS PH. RACHAEL DERE The project comprises 50 one-and two-bedroom apartments over three levels. Each apartment features open plan living spaces opening onto their own private terrace, maximising natural light and optimising adaptability to each resident’s sense of style. A vivid geometric graphic theme was applied throughout the complex to generate a cohesive identity. 02 . ELWOOD HOUSE PR. HECKER GUTHRIE PH. TREVOR MEIN Elwood House embraces the idea of a house rather than an apartment where you enter upon a large living space conducive to entertaining. In doing so, the design creates spaces that offer the end user the same functionality of a family home, while grey Aether natural stone floors set the aesthetic. 03 . EVE PR. HECKER GUTHRIE PH. SHANNON…

01 . ARCHIE ROSE DISTILLING CO PR. ACME & CO PH. MURRAY FREDERICKS Transforming a rather unremarkable steel shed, the design creates a compelling new establishment where artisanal making occupies centre stage. It is a total sensory journey that educates and engages patrons with the industrial processes of distillation, the product consumed at the bar and the Archie Rose brand. 02 . ADELE BATES DESIGN STUDIO PR. ADELE BATES DESIGN PH. CHRISTINE FRANCIS Aesthetically clean and graceful, the space promotes a collaborative and open working environment where functional requirements are seamlessly integrated and bespoke elements individually define spaces. Nothing is hidden, yet the space is a remarkably light, pure, calming and uplifting environment for free expression and sharing of ideas. 03 . MORTGAGE CHOICE WORKPLACE PR. B.E ARCHITECTURE PH. PETER…

01 . A-JOINT STRETCH PR. STUDIO HENRY WILSON PH. JONATHAN CHAMBERS Made from reclaimed aluminium, each casting has no foreign material mixes allowing easy and efficient recycling. Warrantied for life, the A-Joint can be endlessly repurposed. Facilitating easy assemblage and transportation, toxic glues and freight are minimised. A dealer network worldwide means only the joints are shipping, with straightforward joinery completed locally by local craftspeople. 02 . UWS LIBRARY, KINGSWOOD CAMPUS PR. ALLEN JACK+COTTIER PH. MICHAEL NICHOLSON While GBCA certification was not required, the design explores options tested against set environment criteria guidelines, life-cycle cost benefit analysis and fit for purpose criteria. The result includes Long Life Efficient T5, conventional Variable Air Volume (VAV), BMCS controls and monitors for the HVAC plant, energy, gas and water consumption data, plus gas…