A professional resource for the design curious.
Melbourne Place by Kennedy Nolan
Gerard’s by J.AR O ce
SpActrum Shanghai O ce by SpActrum
Sanders Place by NMBW Architecture Studio + Openwork + Finding Infinity
Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery by Warren and Mahoney
The Life-Work Balance Issue
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Hello!
Naarm / Melbourne is a design community at the peak of its powers. Its makers, artisans, artists, cra speople, designers, architects, landscape architects, gardeners, manufacturers and visionary thinkers are talking, collaborating and dreaming together and the results are useful, interesting and beautiful. It’s a functional, collegiate, warm community.
It is a city we are proud of, and not just because it’s great to live here, but because it is asking di cult questions about sustainability, housing security and existing on unceded Country and thinking deeply about how we as a community can be part of the solutions –how we can be helpful. On a more joyous note, it’s also a city which is making beautiful things which help explain the world we live in.
As Guest Editors of Indesign #93, the Life-Work Balance Issue, we took the opportunity to celebrate the people and practices shaping the built environment (page 15).
Thinking deeply about change is the force of nature that is Ross Harding from Finding Infinity (page 146) and the positive disruptor Simon Robinson for OFFICE and Wilya Janta (page 140), and we reflect on the changing role of architects today in a short essay (page 150).
Our own Melbourne Place project has been thoughtfully mused on by David Clark (page 72) and sits proudly beside Sanders Place by our friends at NMBW, Openwork and Finding Infinity (page 84).
More friends are celebrated with Ima Asa Yoru by Breathe Architecture (page 118) and Gerard’s in Brisbane by J.AR O ce (page 110).
Stepping outside Melbourne, Cumulus Studio has designed a dentist’s practice in Launceston that is all about the view (page 126). In Aotearoa / New Zealand an incredible cultural exchange has taken place with Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery by Warren and Mahoney (Page 92). Further afield reclaiming and recycling are championed in a restaurant by Kaizen Architecture in Malaysia (page 132) and SpActrum’s new o ce in Shanghai (page 102).
We are also excited to reveal the 2025 INDE.Awards luminaries: John Wardle, Joyce Wang, Ong Tze Boon and Warren and Mahoney — each profiled by Jan Henderson. What an amazing bunch of people (page 53).
Rachel Nolan & Patrick Kennedy Guest Editors
Chairman and Founder Raj Nandan raj@indesign.com.au
CEO Kavita Lala kavita@indesign.com.au
Guest Editors
Rachel Nolan & Patrick Kennedy Kennedy Nolan gillian@indesign.com.au
Editor Gillian Serisier gillian@indesign.com.au
Editor (Digital)
Timothy Alouani-Roby timothy@indesign.com.au
INDE.Awards Program Director Jan Henderson jan@indesign.com.au
Senior Brand Manager Brune a Stocco brune a@indesign.com.au
Partnerships and Media Manager Katie Staver katie@indesign.com.au
Media Executive Avaani Nandan avaani@indesign.com.au
Account Director (Singapore) Karmen Lee karmen@indesign.com.sg
Senior Media Executive (Singapore) Shahila Juraimi shahila@indesign.com.sg
Group Operations Manager Sheree Bryant sheree@indesign.com.au
Head of Production Anna Carmody anna@indesign.com.au
Production Coordinator Paul Ayoub paul@indesign.com.au
Sub Editor Aleesha Callahan
Finance Manager
Vivia Felice vivia@indesign.com.au
Art Direction And Design Sylvia Weimer, Spacelab Design
Online Manager Radu Enache radu@indesign.com.au
Marketing Executive Nicola Nolan Nicola@indesign.com.au
Event Manager
Roisin Fagan roisin@indesign.com.au
Indesign Correspondents
Leanne Amodeo (Editor at Large)
Sarah Hetherington (Indo Pacific) Stephen Cra i (Melbourne) Mandi Keighran (London) Andrea Stevens (New Zealand)
Contributors
Rachel Nolan, Patrick Kennedy, Gillian Serisier, Ross Harding, Simon Robinson, Jan Henderson, David Clark, Leanne Amodeo, Sarah Hetherington, Katie Jacobs, Aleesha Callahan.
Photography & Artists
Andrew Quilty, Anson Smart, Andy Spain, Anjie Blair, David Chatfield, Derek Swalwell, Edmon Leong, Finbarr Fallon, John Gollings, Hamish Melville, Kristian Gehradte, Kristo er Paulsen, Lars Osland, Lillie Thompson, Lilly Waters, Mark Cocksedge, Martin Mischkulnig, Michael Pham, Nicole England, Peter Benne s, Pier Carthew, Sean Fennessy, Sharyn Cairns, Terrence Zhang, Tex Bishop, Thurston Empson, Tom Roe, Trevor Mein. Annie Paxton, David Serisier.
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With intricate lines and visual lightness, this LED wall luminaire is an eye-catching centrepiece for interior spaces. A white diffuser ensures uniform unshielded light distribution. Available in different sizes and surface finishes, on its own or as an ensemble, the luminaire opens up creative design freedom. bega.com/circle
Rachel Nolan and Patrick Kennedy Principals, Kennedy Nolan
The darlings of Melbourne architecture, Rachel Nolan and Patrick Kennedy are a powerhouse of design excellence. It is an absolute privilege to host them as our Guest Editor. “The design ethos of Kennedy Nolan is defined by the impulse to be creative and is powered by the energy of working together - with our own brilliant sta and with regular and new collaborators in our design community. We aspire to first principles creativity derived through understanding and interpreting our world with kindness, humour and sometimes beauty. We are a practice that wants to be optimistic, diligent, fun to work with and helpful.”
Melbourne Place by Kennedy Nolan, page 72.
Gillian Serisier Editor
Editor of both Indesign and Habitus magazines, Gillian brings a solid background in design journalism to her role. With twenty years in the design media industry, Gillian is a highly regarded arbiter and design champion. Working closely with the Architecture and Design community, Gillian has selected a series of exceptional Guest Editors to host Indesign over the coming issues. Spanning architecture, landscape, art and all elements of design from textiles to furniture, tiles and lighting, there is a wealth of content to benefit from her collaborative editorship.
SpActrum Shanghai by SpActrum, page 102.
Leanne Amodeo Writer
Leanne is an editor, writer and media and communications consultant, specialising in architecture and design. She is a former editor of Monument magazine and worked as the Publications Editor for the 2021 Edinburgh International Festival. She has also held the position of Senior Communications Advisor for Architecture and Design Scotland. Leanne has taught interior architecture research and theory at university level and is widely published in both national and international publications and catalogues. She is also the current Editor At Large for Indesign and one of the warmest and sensitive writers to be found. We are proud to include her writing in this issue and in particular the pairing of her particular approach with such an important cultural undertaking.
Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery by Warren and Mahoney, page 92.
David Clark Writer
David has worked in the interior design industry for more than 30 years as a curator, consultant, creative director, and editor. His publishing career began as design editor for Belle magazine, then, as Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Living Australia (2003–2012) he elevated Australian designers and the publication globally. He was appointed International Editorial Consultant to Condé Nast for the launch of AD China, inducted into the Design Institute of Australia Hall of Fame, and made an Honouree of the Australian Design Centre. He is an advocate for the continuing elevation of an Australian design ecosystem and good design everywhere.
Photo Jenni Hare.
Melbourne Place by Kennedy Nolan, page 72.
Ross Harding Principal, Finding Infinity
The brilliant mind behind Finding Infinity, Ross is one of Australia’s leading sustainability thinkers. Shi ing perspectives towards self-su ciency, he pursues the idea of ‘finding a future based in infinite resources.’ A consultant of great environmental vision, Ross aims to ‘flip the typical design process on its head –designing demands around supply, and not the other way around. By improving thermal comfort, increasing natural light and maximising health and productivity, we create optimal spaces for learning, enjoyment and functionality.”
Working on small- and large-scale projects, locally and internationally, Finding Infinity’s focus is on developing pragmatic and creative ways of achieving ambitious targets, where minimum compliance is never part of the equation. We are delighted to share his thoughts in this issue.
A New Normal, page 146.
Curated by the extraordinary Dr David Sequeira, the exhibition, Colour Working/ Working Colour, at the Fiona and Sidney Myer Gallery at Melbourne University showcases a wealth of artists working in colour including Joseph Albers, Peter Atkins and David Serisier, plus Anna Finlayson, Minaal Lawn and Taree Mackenzie. Sequeira is an extraordinary curator and the combining of these artists is an assured and dynamic exhibition of exemplar quality. Image, David Serisier, Gallium sky painting sequence 1-36. Oil and wax on linen. Photo, courtesy Drill Hall Gallery, ACT.
unimelb.edu.au
Indesign Neolith
Re ecting a free, warm and inspiring spirit, Neolith Atmosphere transforms spaces and creates environments of peace and wellbeing through its unique designs. Neolith presents a whole new range that conveys a wealth of sensations and a fresh breeze of innovation.
neolith.com
Indesign Zenith
Designed by Tom Fereday in collaboration with Zenith Design Studio, Easel Lounge embodies sustainable, honest design with impeccable cra smanship. In much the same way as the pragmatic lines of an easel provide a stable framework for the canvas, the sleek timber frame of the Easel Lounge showcases the natural beauty of the upholstery within. The so body of Easel Lounge features gently curved edges that create a harmonious balance with the organic elegance of the wood. Like its namesake, Easel frames the beauty within.
zenithinteriors.com
Indesign Elton Group
The elegant curving timber walls of CBA Darling Quarter by Hassel, invite the eye and hand in equal measure. Created using Eveneer® WoodWall Maple Rotary, the wallcovering is made with pre- nished timber that can be applied directly to plaster or plasterboard without the need for a thick or heavy substrate such as MDF. Suitable for myriad applications including hospitality, retail, o ce, yacht and aircra interiors, this is a real timber surface that can be used on walls, elevators, columns, beams and ceilings (the large number of sequenced sheets assures consistent matching). Moreover, its outstanding exibility allows it to cover curved surfaces. Group 1 re rated, it is available in a range of Eveneer recut and natural timbers.
eltongroup.com
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