People
People
Anny Benjamin, as founder and creative director of Studio ab, created a diverse perspective for design and creativity. As part of the 2025/2026 cohort of Australian Design Review‘s 30UNDER30, she reflects on community, collaboration and building a meaningful design practice. Australian Design Review: Why did you enter the 30UNDER30 program? Anny Benjamin: I entered the […]
Shalini Rautela is a Melbourne-based architectural designer who uses a multidisciplinary approach in practising architecture and design. Joining the cohort of Australian Design Review‘s 30UNDER30 for 2025/2026, she shares her views on instinct, collaboration and the evolving role of architecture in a changing world. Australian Design Review: Why did you enter the 30UNDER30 program? Shalini […]
Lachlan Kirkland is a Sydney-based designer at YSG Studio, whose creative journey began with childhood forts in Sancrox. Below, we speak to the member of Australian Design Review‘s 30UNDER30 for 2025/2026 about the profound value of interdisciplinary collaboration. Lachlan Kirkland: To meet new people! This is an absolutely amazing mentorship opportunity, and I want to […]
Dasha Tolotchkov is a Melbourne-based exhibition designer at the National Gallery of Victoria. Australian Design Review‘s 30UNDER30 for 2025/2026, she brings a playful and detail-driven approach to creating spatial experiences that evoke emotion, curiosity and quiet surprise. Australian Design Review: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Dasha Tolotchkov: In my spare time, […]
A senior architect at Hassell, Kiara Carroll argues that architects should evolve from being technical resolvers to becoming influential leaders. Below, ADR talks to the member of Australian Design Review‘s 30UNDER30 cohort for 2025/2026 about sustainability and the responsibility of architects. Australian Design Review: Why did you enter the 30UNDER30 program? Kiara Carroll: I believe […]
Marlo Lyda is a Sydney-based designer and a multidisciplinary practitioner focused on material experimentation. As a member of Australian Design Review‘s 30UNDER30 for 2025/2026, Lyda talks about the need for community, her insights on sustainability and how she uses overlooked materials. Australian Design Review: What do you hope to get out of the program? Marlo […]
Maeve Mullane is a Sydney-based interior designer who focuses on human-centred work and is led by material choices. As a member of Australian Design Review‘s 30UNDER30 for 2025/2026, she excels at challenging conventions through the use of offbeat colours, unconventional forms and unexpected textures. Australian Design Review: What do you enjoy doing in your spare […]
Sarah Barrett is a Melbourne-based interior designer at Woods Bagot, building the connection between humans and the environment as the core of her work. As part of Australian Design Review‘s 30UNDER30 for 2025/2026, she reflects on her design philosophy and her sources of inspiration. Australian Design Review: How would you describe your work? Sarah Barrett: […]
A Sydney-based architect at Grimshaw, Awkar Ruel’s projects focus on spatial and human-centred design. As a member of Australian Design Review‘s 30UNDER30 cohort for 2025/2026, he contributes to forging connections between people and the environment they inhabit. Australian Design Review: Why did you enter the 30UNDER30 program? Awkar Ruel: I’ve never really seen architecture as […]
A bold exhibition at Melbourne Design Week reframes surplus as substance, drawing international and local designers who treat discarded materials as the starting point for enduring design. In the Richmond showroom of Eco Outdoor, Waste to Wonder presents as a study in transformation, where construction waste and factory offcuts embrace new life through careful manipulation, […]
Jack Crowe is the videographer and social media manager at DKO Architecture in Melbourne. An ‘innovator of the built world’ within Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30 cohort for 2025/2026, Crowe uses visual storytelling to bridge disciplines and communicate design. Australian Design Review: Why did you enter the 30UNDER30 program? Jack Crowe: I entered the 30UNDER30 program […]
Joining Envirotecture’s Talina Edwards and Andy Marlow – already announced as curators for next year’s conference – Vanessa Girling and Agatha Partyka have been appointed to bring fresh perspectives to the event’s planning. “Girling and Partyka bring diverse perspectives shaped by varied pathways into practice, cultural experiences, and active engagement in advocacy and community-led initiatives,” […]
Milica Božić’s research-driven practice focuses on curation and exhibitions about architecture, shaped by her cross-cultural experience across Australia, Italy and Serbia. Named in Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30 for 2025/2026, she brings a critical approach to heritage and its representation. Australian Design Review: Why did you enter the 30UNDER30 program? Milica Božić: I entered the 30UNDER30 […]
Morgan Wolpers is a Sydney-based interior designer at Lawless & Meyerson whose practice is shaped by a non-traditional pathway and an interest in interdisciplinary thinking. Below, the member of Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30 for 2025/2026 reflects on finding her place in the industry and why depth matters in an increasingly fast-paced design landscape. Australian Design […]
Isabella White studied architecture and worked in graduate positions before discovering her skills were needed elsewhere. She has since segued into communications roles – most recently as digital content lead at Architectus – and amassed tens of thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram, where she creates content under the moniker of ‘architecture’s biggest advocate’. […]
An interior designer at Nexus Designs, Sidney Ford’s practice spans residential interiors and collaborative, interdisciplinary installations. Below, we speak to the member of Australian Design Review‘s 30UNDER30 for 2025/2026 about designing across disciplines and the value of shared thinking. Australian Design Review: Why did you enter the 30UNDER30 program? Sidney Ford: I entered the 30UNDER30 […]
Ava Kim is an Adelaide-based architect at Grieve Gillett Architects whose work moves between built practice and urban research projects. Named as a member of Australian Design Review‘s 30UNDER30 for 2025/2026, she approaches every project with a desire to lead more sustainable outcomes and embed long-term thinking and care into the built environment. Australian Design […]
DKO’s partner – Interiors, Michael Drescher has been with the multi award-winning studio for over two decades. Over that time, he has worked across all typologies and now leads the interior design teams across the practice’s seven studios in Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam and, most recently, Indonesia. It’s this breadth of experience, he says, that makes him a […]
Nissie Bungbrakearti, a computational designer at COX Architecture, has the advanced skills to solve complex challenges using data and design. However, it hasn’t been an easy road from shy young practitioner to being named one of Australian Design Review‘s 30UNDER30 for 2025/2026. Below, Bungbrakearti shares some early career lessons. Australian Design Review: Why did you […]
The Sydney-based contingent of Australian Design Review’s (ADR’s) 30UNDER30 in 2025/2026 gathered for the first time on Wednesday 11 March – here’s how it went. The 1930s art deco-inspired Clocktower Bar was the perfect meeting place for this year’s 30UNDER30. Located on the ninth floor of Shell House Sydney, designed by Woods Bagot, Clocktower Bar […]
Designer Diana Espiritu works at the intersection of architecture and interiors. She has worn many hats since graduating from the University of NSW’s interior architecture program, including as a teacher passionate about keeping the flame of hope and inspiration alive for her students. It’s less than a decade since Espiritu finished at UNSW, but already […]
Phoebe Allen is one of Australian Design Review‘s 30UNDER30 for 2025/2026. In this Q&A the lead interior designer from Studio Traces shares how her love for design started at her grandmother’s side. Australian Design Review: Why did you enter the 30UNDER30 program? Phoebe Allen: I entered the 30UNDER30 program because I’ve been leading and delivering […]
Australian Design Review’s February 2026 round-up of appointments and practice news in Australian architecture and design. DKO International architecture and interior design studio DKO began 2026 with a string of appointments across Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. Within its Australian studios, DKO has elevated three new directors, including Isabel Munro, Michael Fouché and Sam […]
One of China’s most celebrated architects, Xu Tiantian, has been announced as the recipient of the 2026 MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission, the international series inviting leading designers to create new work for the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Collection. Based in Beijing, Xu is the fifth recipient of the Commission, following Tatiana […]
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