Table of contents for No. 121 in (inside) interior design review

‘Enduring’ was the word that echoed through our office when planning this issue of inside. This is in part due to the Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) introducing a new special award of the same name, but also because many of the designers and architects we talk to are striving to create ‘timeless’ spaces in 5. Despite this shared intention, the outcomes look quite different, which begs the question of what it actually means to design something timeless. Is timelessness subjective? Can we ever truly create outside of the influences of the zeitgeist? In an era when algorithms risk flattening consumer tastes across artistic mediums and global instability drives us toward the familiar, creatives have the complex task of balancing boldness and originality with mass appeal and what is already…

DESIGNER MELANIE BEYNON, MELANIE BEYNON ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGNICONIC PIECE ARROW PENDANT BY GABRIEL HENDIFAR FOR APPARATUS “An arrow motif, reduced to its simplest representation, Gabriel Hendifar’s Arrow Pendant is an enduring, timeless icon. With the various materials available for configuration in the selection of the piece – brushed brass, antique bronze, milk glass diffusers and leather – customisation is a luxurious offer. The piece combines hand craftsmanship with symbolic historic reference in a classic sensibility.” PHOTOGRAPHER TOM BLACHFORD DESIGNER JOSS KNIGHT, STUDIOJOSICONIC PIECE 12 BOWL PENDANT BY ANNA CHARLESWORTH “The Bowl Pendant by Anna Charlesworth is a striking example of handcrafted Australian lighting design. Designed and fabricated in Melbourne, it reflects her commitment to craftsmanship and timeless aesthetics. Its two-tiered sculptural form has made it an iconic signature piece widely…

The New South Wales government has proposed a new ‘Building Bill’ to replace the Home Building Act 8 , consolidating nine existing acts, including the Architects Act 3 and the Design and Building Practitioners Act (DBP Act). The new legislation aims to create a more modern regulatory system, significantly increasing the focus on practitioner registration, competency and declared design requirements, particularly expanding on concepts from the DBP Act. For interior designers working across state borders, the ripple effects of NSW’s proposed reforms are already being felt – and for many, they’re deeply unsettling. Under the current DBP Act, interstate firms cannot practise independently on Class (multi-residential) projects in NSW without being attached to a registered architect or building designer. While the new regulations remain under review, the Design Institute of…

Designed by Studio Co & Co, Elio’s Place is as much a tribute to memory as it is a statement of contemporary hospitality design. Rich, confident and full of character, the interior merges past and present to create a setting that takes diners from a quiet window-seat espresso in the morning through to a cosy yet bustling Saturday night tuck-in. Melbourne-based Studio Co & Co, led by creative director Ineke Hutter, has earned a quiet reputation for shaping some of the city’s most beloved venues. Known for reimagining old pubs and injecting soul into under-loved spaces, the studio approaches each project with what Hutter describes as “an emotional and material sensibility, the kind that rewards people for lingering, for noticing”. At Elio’s, that sensibility echoes through every detail. Briefed with…

THE IDEA TEAM JURY PANEL Leaders and trendsetters, the 2025 jury brings together a broad range of expertise from across our industry and many of our capital cities. We thank them for dedicating their time to the pursuit of incredible Australian design. JURY CHAIR PAUL HECKER FOUNDING PRINCIPAL, HECKER GUTHRIE Paul Hecker is the founding principal of Melbourne design practice Hecker Guthrie. He is widely recognised for his spirited contributions to interior design, furniture, manufacturing and design education. An avid collector of design, Hecker’s interest in the ephemeral is tempered by the pursuit of enduring solutions that transcend time. SUSTAINABILITY JUDGE JADE WHITTAKER INTERIOR DESIGNER Jade Whittaker is known for her circular design thinking, rigorous assessment of materials and process-driven approach to creating healthy, low-impact spaces. With experience ranging from…

BRICK HOUSE STATE OF KIN Jack Lovel Brick House is a merging of past and present: a new build using reclaimed local materials that gives bold, contemporary form to the area’s past. Set in Perth’s Mount Lawley, it responds to the area’s Federation-style architecture and red-brick streetscape, while making the most of a compact inner-city site. COURTYARD HOUSE CARR John Gollings Modern without overt references, the design of Courtyard House by Carr embraces shadow and light. The result explores dualities, juxtaposing solidity and transparency, lightness and darkness, coolness and warmth, and hardness and softness. ELYSIUM STUDIO PRINEAS Chris Warnes Elysium exemplifies enduring design through its sensitive integration of contemporary insertions within a grand Victorian terrace. By respecting heritage fabric, enhancing natural light and employing honest, durable materials, the project creates…

181 WILLIAM STREET BVN ARCHITECTURE Tom Ross The Meeting Place at 181 William Street is a full-service destination for meetings, workshops and events. Fine detailing elevates standard materials such as painted plasterboard, checkered carpet tiles and timber-look laminates. A painted bullnose disguises laminate edges, while copper-look balustrades capped in solid timber bring warmth and texture without exceeding budget. ADDISONS STUDIO TATE Dave Wheeler Studio Tate’s fitout for Sydney law firm Addisons was inspired by legal timekeeping, with the interlocking components of mechanical clocks, watch wheels and pinions symbolising Addisons’ pragmatic and precise legal approach. This was translated into rhythmic architectural gestures and meticulous interior detailing, creating a cohesive office for 120 staff. AJE. HEAD OFFICE WOOL + HAY Simon Whitbread Fashion label Aje.’s headquarters reflects the brand’s vibrant identity and…

BEANLESS BAG ASH ALLEN Photography and Design Australia The humble beanbag is here reinterpreted in steel weldmesh. Responding to a Melbourne Design Week brief for ‘soft’ objects, Ash Allen created a visually and physically soft form with cold, utilitarian sheet material. The curvaceous seat was designed in CAD to ensure comfort and strength, while minimising material usage and floorspace. BILLO SOFA SYSTEM NAU WITH ADAM GOODRUM Anson Smart The Billo Sofa by Adam Goodrum for NAU was born from the aim to create a super comfortable, modular seating system with a relaxed, friendly aesthetic. Inspired by vintage Italian sofas, the design is classically elegant, while the focus on modularity ensures its modern versatility. BOWA THOMAS MAXAM STUDIO Matthew McQuiggan Bowa is a playful timber wall light with soft curves and…

AMPHORA HACHEM ARCHITECTS Nicole Reed Designed to accommodate large numbers on game days and attract diners outside stadium hours, Amphora at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium is adorned with tactile suede and scalloped floral walls. Designer Fady Hachem implemented a lowered ceiling to create intimacy and an oversized bar to anchor the space under a billowed mock skylight. BAR JULIUS SJB WITH JOSEPH GARDNER Anson Smart Situated in Wunderlich Lane at the entry of The EVE Hotel Sydney, Bar Julius layers classic materials with a playful twist, creating an energetic modern space. Vaulted ceilings display unique digital artwork of floating abstract forms, while achieving mechanical and acoustic functions. BAR LETTERA JORDAN DESIGN STUDIO Tom Ferguson Bar Lettera, located on the fifth floor of Citadines Walker North Sydney, draws inspiration from Theodora Cowan,…

ADRIAN WILLIAM NEWTOWN FLAGSHIP RICHARDS STANISICH Anson Smart The design for Adrian William’s flagship office balances preservation, functionality and contemporary design. Responding to the existing heritage bank building, the design team preserved key architectural and decorative features, adding emphasis with colour and materials. The result is a welcoming and energetic office space within an iconic Sydney building. BALMAIN EAST HOUSE STUDIO JOHNSTON WITH KIRSTEN BOOKALLIL Anson Smart Balmain East House reimagines a minimalist home through use of colour and material. Green and mustard bring warmth and character, while curved forms soften once-sharp lines. Rather than relying on major structural change, Studio Johnston focused on cohesive colouring to shift the home’s emotional tone while retaining its architectural clarity. BAR JULIUS SJB WITH JOSEPH GARDNER Anson Smart Designed to be colourful and…

ANGELA WRIGHT BENNETT CENTRE ARCHITECTUS Dion Robeson The Angela Wright Bennett Centre, founded through the Ruah Centre for Women and Children, is Australia’s first state-of-the-art centre dedicated to supporting women and children impacted by family and domestic violence. The seven-storey building provides accommodation, along with medical, counselling and legal services, helping families reclaim their independence and wellbeing. NORTHERN MEMORIAL PARK DEPOT SEARLE X WALDRON ARCHITECTURE Peter Bennetts The depot at Melbourne’s Northern Memorial Park is a two-storey mass timber project, featuring high trusses that support the structure while providing a sense of openness. The depot enhances human connection, with multi-level interconnected workshops offering views into operational spaces. Sustainable choices such as hyperlocal recycled bricks were utilised throughout. PARRAMATTA BIKE HUB SCALE ARCHITECTURE Tim Clark This community enterprise is a purpose-driven…

STEFANIE MARKIDIS Stefanie Markidis is an academic and writer working in Melbourne. With a long-standing career in magazine journalism, she has written for The Melbourne Weekly, Inpress and Ramona Magazine, where she was the founding creative writing editor. KIRI SAWTELL Kiri Sawtell is a freelance journalist and editor based in the Northern Rivers. She writes about architecture and design, travel and lifestyle news, drawing on 15 years of experience in newspapers and magazines. ALICE BLACKWOOD Alice Blackwood is a strategic storyteller and an experienced design editor and presenter. For 20 years, she’s passionately advocated for Australian architecture and design with roles spanning editor, journalist, communications strategist, juror and program director. HELENA MORGAN Helena Morgan is a Melbourne-based journalist and editor. She is the former editor of Facility Management and her…

Marrying sustainability with timeless design, German ceramics manufacturer Kaldewei continues to drive the evolution of bathroom architecture. This approach is typified in their unique Luxstainability concept, creating products that will stand the test of time, both in aesthetic form and practical durability. The Meisterstück Oyo Duo freestanding bathtub is the latest addition to the Kaldewei portfolio, representing the brand’s pioneering efforts. Elegant and deceptively simple, its clean and inviting egg-shaped design has received numerous prestigious awards and remains one of the brand’s most applauded design assets. Embodying the fusion of luxury and sustainability, the Oyo Duo bathtub melds ergonomic design, 100 percent circularity and an unwavering commitment to environmentally conscious materials. Constructed with completely recyclable steel enamel, the double-walled Oyo Duo bath brilliantly combines resource conservation with an evergreen aesthetic…

THE FACTS PRACTICE J.AR OFFICE PROJECT CENTRAL LOCATION MEANJIN, BRISBANE CBD, QLD We often frame discussions of interior design around the experiential qualities of space – planning and flow, materiality, finish and fitout selections. J.AR OFFICE approaches interior design with a more expanded view: as a medium for storytelling. Across their hospitality and other commercial project work, they are building a conversation that centres on social narrative and cultural impact, expanding the role of interiors beyond aesthetics and function. Central, Brisbane’s hottest new CBD venue, is J.AR’s latest execution of intent: a venue that proposes a new up-late timeslot for socialising in the CBD. “Central aims to elevate Brisbane’s nightlife dining scene, pushing the kitchen close time back to a few hours later,” says Jared Webb, founder and director at…

Do you remember your first encounter with design? Absolutely. My first encounter with design was through my sister Michelle, who is a nonverbal communicator. Growing up, I witnessed how the built environment either enabled or restricted her ability to engage with the world. I became acutely aware of how spaces are often designed without considering people like her – people who experience and communicate in ways that don’t fit conventional design norms. I remember the frustration of seeing spaces that overwhelmed her senses, made her uncomfortable or simply didn’t acknowledge her existence. But I also remember moments of joy when she engaged with spaces that unintentionally worked well for her – where light, sound, textures and layouts supported rather than hindered her experiences. That was when I realised that design…

“BOYD DIDN’T BUILD ANYTHING LIKE IT AGAIN.” ROBIN BOYD FOUNDATION Robin Boyd famously attributed a humble design staple as the key to enhancing a person’s appearance. “One of his famous phrases was, ‘We all look better under low light levels’,” says Robin Boyd Foundation operations manager Jamie Paterson, with a chuckle. Boyd’s comment mirrors his occasionally maverick views and passion for unconventional experimentation in residential design. He designed houses that mirrored the lifestyles of their inhabitants, a penchant that earned him the moniker of the ‘client’s architect’. He was driven to make durable residential designs enjoyed by everyone, whether the Governor General or a working-class family in Broadmeadows, Victoria. “He spent time understanding the client’s needs and designing towards them,” Paterson says. “And several of his clients didn’t get the…

The who’s who of Australian interior design gathered at Forum Melbourne on 29 November 2024 for the IDEA gala, toasting contemporary design inside one of the city’s heritage jewels. Hundreds of high-profile designers and architects applauded the recipients of the IDEA trophies, artfully designed by Adam Goodrum in collaboration with Axolotl. Our inimitable Masters of Ceremony Eva Sue and Jefa Greenaway unveiled the winners across all categories and special awards. “What struck me about 2024’s IDEA winners was the breadth of design talent and patrons,” Sue reflected. “Across all categories, the representation of excellence came in the form of individuals, small practices and larger firms – united in their commitment to finding sophisticated solutions to today’s design challenges.” It was a chance for us to honour the year’s best projects…

46 RESIDENCE HASSELL Shannon McGrath 46 Residence is an extensive refurbishment of a three-storey home in Toorak, Melbourne, originally designed by Wayne Gillespie. The project called for flexible spaces that could accommodate integrated work and living, spatial considerations for a growing family and a sculptural, grounded backdrop to display the clients’ extensive art collection. AFTERNOON DELIGHT SMAC STUDIO WITH MEGAN MORTON Dave Wheeler Afternoon Delight is a penthouse overlooking Sydney Harbour with entertaining front of mind. Joyful, peaceful and feminine, the colours take inspiration from an original Ned Kelly artwork by Sidney Nolan in the dining area. ALLEGATO MCMAHON AND NERLICH Shannon McGrath A central spine of Tasmanian Blackwood joinery orients this Melbourne home, anchoring colour and structure alike. The richness of the Blackwood is met with pale grey ceiling…

ADRIAN WILLIAM NEWTOWN FLAGSHIP RICHARDS STANISICH Anson Smart Heritage preservation, functionality and contemporary design were the driving considerations for Adrian William’s flagship office in Sydney. The design acknowledges its inner west location using colour and a modest materials palette, as presented within the repeated checkered patterning, while celebrating key architectural and decorative features of the original building. ANTINOUS WITHOUT STUDIO Dylan James This redesign of a Melbourne barrister’s chambers added warmth and depth to a previously stark and clinically over-lit office space. Although one room, the chambers offer two connected areas: a work zone with a custom walnut-trimmed desk and a lounge zone anchored by a vintage sofa for more casual meetings. ARK CAPITAL HQ CERA STRIBLEY Martina Gemmola Ark Capital HQ is designed to feel more like a home…

CULTIVATED X MARK TUCKEY CIRCULAR RETAIL SPACE FOOLSCAP STUDIO Dion Robeson Foolscap Studio designed a zero-waste retail space for Cultivated and Mark Tuckey. The space at Perth Design Week showcased furniture pieces and hosted an events program. Salvaged bricks were placed, rather than glued or cemented, to create easily disassembled tiered platforms. DESIGN TALKS ARTHUR KOUTOULAS Arthur Koutoulas Stackable forms of foam and carpet were used for their versatility and ease of movement in Arthur Koutoulas’ Design Talks seminar space at Design Show Australia 2025. The design grew from the idea of simply stacking forms to create seating and walls, leaning into the innovative threshold of ‘furnitecture’. FABLES AND FOLKLORE SIMONE HAAG WITH CRAFT VICTORIA Kate Shanasy This curated exhibition for Craft Victoria featured almost 90 works by more than…

ABOVE THE CLOUDS PATTERN STUDIO Tom Ross Taking their wares across the border to a Melbourne market, fashion label Above The Clouds wanted more than a copy/paste of their Sydney store. Playful lighting displays and the luminous shoe rotunda, accessible on two sides, are features of the site-specific design, which responds directly to the existing architecture. BRIE LEON FLAGSHIP WITHOUT STUDIO Dylan James Restrained colour keeps the product in focus at accessories label Brie Leon’s flagship Sydney store. Skirting boards and architraves nod to existing building elements, balancing the site’s solidity with the scale of the product showcased within. Backplates on the front entrance are interchangeable, allowing the style to be updated seasonally. CHLOE MONIQUE ATELIER ADRIAN CONDINA Timothy Kaye Made-to-measure tailoring label Chloe Monique required an adaptable space for…

BAKEMONO BAKERS ELUMI STUDIO Joe Cheng This Melbourne bakery renovation preserved the existing façade, roller shutters and bathroom layout, significantly reducing construction waste and honouring the site’s history. Material choices were low-impact and robust, using reclaimed timber, leftover porcelain slabs and recyclable materials such as Corten steel, stainless steel and polycarbonate sheets. CULTIVATED X MARK TUCKEY CIRCULAR RETAIL SPACE FOOLSCAP STUDIO Dion Robeson This zero-waste retail space was designed with consideration of material life cycles. The showroom was renovated using three materials, which were all able to be used again at their optimal value: recycled bricks, upholstery fabric and saveBOARD – a material made from tetra packs that can be broken down and reproduced. HOWQUA RIVER LODGE ROB MILLS ARCHITECTURE & INTERIORS WITH JACK MILENKOVIC Anson Smart Howqua River Lodge…

CO:AIKA Dave Wheeler Established in 2021 by directors Sophie Harris and Rachel Wan, Sydney firm CO:AIKA is a multidisciplinary collective working across architecture, design and objects. In constant collaboration with countless artisans and creators, the practice is founded upon shared time in the design journey. Moments of joy, challenge and adventure provide inspiration to create the extraordinary. IN ADDITION Cieran Murphy Ana Ćalić McLean and Josh McLean established In Addition in 2023 with a vision to build community through design. With the name reflecting their belief in design as a collective act, they create thoughtful, functional and emotive spaces across the hospitality, retail and residential sectors. The studio actively supports design education at Curtin University and RMIT. J.AR OFFICE David Chatfield J.AR OFFICE was established in 2022 by Jared Webb,…

ALEXANDER &CO. Anson Smart Boasting a portfolio of exceptional residential and commercial interiors, Alexander &CO. has built a highly detailed body of work. Integrating architecture and interior design with ecological rigour and creative passion, this celebrated consultancy delivers timeless solutions influenced by architectural modernity and the layered stories of people, site, place and time. DKO Alex Reinders Established in 2000, DKO has a multidisciplinary team of more than 300, who work across Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia. Founding partner Koos de Keijzer retains a human-centred ethos, with people DKO’s greatest resource. Their expertise covers architecture, interiors and landscape architecture across residential, hospitality, commercial, institutional, education and government projects. NICKOLAS GURTLER OFFICE Timothy Kaye Founded in 2015 by Nickolas Gurtler, this acclaimed studio boasts a boutique team of multidisciplinary designers.…

01 AUSTRALIAN HOUSE: THE ROBIN BOYD AWARD Australian House is a definitive showcase of the Robin Boyd Award, a national accolade for residential architecture. Spanning four decades, this collection – edited by the Australian Institute of Architects – showcases inspiring dwellings, from urban sanctuaries to coastal retreats and bushland escapes that reflect the evolving spirit of Australian life. 02 ART IN RESIDENCE Showcasing impeccably decorated interiors, photographer Nicole England’s Art in Residence lovingly investigates how life and soul can be fabricated with the artful curation of sculptures and personal effects. From a loft in New York City to a historical home in the heart of London, Nicole England reveals the art collections that revitalise private spaces. 03 CITY LIVING: NEOMETRO RESIDENTS AND WORKS Since 85, Neometro has been dedicated to…

Renowned Australian horticulturalist and landscape designer Jamie Durie attributes the creation of Belah House to his lifelong passion for environmental sustainability. For Durie, Belah – the Wiradjuri word for ‘sun’ – represents symbiosis between the home and the natural landscape. “We wanted to create a home that feels connected to the land, just as the river carves its own path through the environment,” he tells inside. “Every decision in this build was made with sustainability, rejuvenation and longevity in mind.” Belah House incorporates innovative green technologies, including a geothermal heating, cooling and renewable energy system predicted to achieve grid independence and deliver over 80 percent savings on energy bills, a chemical- and chlorine-free pool system and a circadian rhythm lighting program designed to increase sleep quality. Additionally, Belah House’s floor…

Architectural glass design was an endangered sector in Australia after the turn of the century. Veteran Melbourne-based practitioners Donna Kennedy and Dr Bronwyn Hughes conducted a survey on leadlighters in that revealed an ageing workforce. “The average age at that time was 58,” Kennedy tells inside. Architectural glass design – the type seen in windows as opposed to glass-blown vases – encompasses the distinct practices of leadlighting, stained glass, copper foiling, kiln-forming and sandblasting. When Kennedy finished her leadlighting education in 86, it was a “healthy” time for both industry and hobbyists. “Every family had one,” she recalls, “an aunty, an uncle or a grandma.” Kennedy ran her own commercial studio for 20 years, flanked by about 6 competitors across Melbourne in the early days. Between old window repairs and…

The IDEA Overall Project of the Year accolade is awarded to the submission that the jury believes to be the most outstanding among the individual category winners for that year. The winner is the project deemed to have best addressed the challenges common to its category/typology and its brief. The 2024 winner encapsulates that in every way. Originally topping the IDEA Public Space category, The Embassy of Australia, Washington DC, harmonises cultural representation with urban prominence and security considerations in supporting diverse government functions. Two large expansive atria, both public and restricted, create a powerful connection between the ground plane and sky. Designed by Bates Smart with KCCT as US Architect of Record, the embassy’s interior echoes the vast Australian landscape, creating a welcoming, recognisable and enduring diplomatic presence in…

161 EASTERN KAVELLARIS URBAN DESIGN Veeral The design of this Melbourne apartment building focused on maximising openness and amenity to deliver living environments rivalling freestanding homes. Interiors are anchored by expressive stonework, as marble benchtops add functionality and visual gravitas, while curves and custom joinery break away from the rigidity often found in multi-residential interiors. COMO TERRACES CARR Tom Ross Como Terraces in Melbourne’s South Yarra integrate enduring materials and functional layouts with a triple-aspect orientation, balancing the monumental and intimate. The natural material palette – featuring rammed earth, travertine stone, timber floors and sandblasted concrete – creates a calm, raw environment where light and shadow play in ways reminiscent of a cave. ESPLANADE BRIGHTON WOOD MARSH ARCHITECTURE Lynton Crabb Esplanade Brighton offers medium-density coastal living in a nested series…

GOLD MEDAL 2024DR NATALIE WRIGHT The Gold Medal is the most prestigious award at IDEA, given in recognition of those practitioners who have made an influential and indelible contribution to Australian design culture over the course of their career. Members of the IDEA jury individually nominate candidates for the Gold Medal, and in 2024, the jury recognised Dr Natalie Wright, a pioneering interior design educator from Brisbane. Earning a degree in interior design at Queensland University of Technology in the late 1980s, Wright later became an advocate and educator in the early 2000s. She had recognised that designers as professionals were not as well-respected for their expertise and design thinking abilities as they could be. Over the past 20-plus years, she has been at the forefront of design education, advocacy…