Australian Design Review (ADR) recently revealed the 30UNDER30 Interior and Product Designers for 2024/2025. To celebrate, we’re getting to know each of these future Australian design stars, including Nina Matyas, an associate at Matyas Architects and Interiors, and founder of Matyas Interiors. Having grown up with an architect father and an interior designer mother, Matyas’ path to the industry was both intuitive and deliberate. Here, she talks to ADR about designing for longevity, her appreciation for craft and finding inspiration in the minute details that coalesce to tell stories.

Australian Design Review: Do you remember your first encounter with design?

Nina Matyas: I grew up with an architect father and an interior designer mother, so design was woven into the fabric of my early childhood. From a young age, I developed a deep appreciation for fine art and design, shaped both by their professions and the experiences they shared with me. 

I have fond memories of driving around Melbourne with my dad, who would often stop in the middle of the road to admire a house under construction or study the details of cladding junctions – much to the dismay of my mum, who wasn’t thrilled about holding up traffic. 

Those small moments, along with many others, sparked my curiosity and passion for design, teaching me what it means to truly live and breathe your passion.

ADR: How would you describe your work?

NM: I would describe my work as restrained, timeless and functional, grounded in research and a deep understanding of materiality and context. I believe great interior design should work in harmony with its broader context, including its architectural and landscaped surroundings, telling a cohesive story from beginning to end. 

My design process begins with studying the building’s purpose, design concept and materiality, followed by a design exploration where I challenge ways to integrate the interior spaces with architectural elements.

Personality and narrative are woven throughout with subtle design details, which can then be layered with the evolving personalities of the people who inhabit the space. I place high value on the collaborative relationships I have with clients, architects, consultants and tradespeople. 

This teamwork fosters a rich, multi-layered design response, allowing us to push the boundaries of convention and create spaces that are not only detailed and meaningful but also enduring and innovative.

ADR: If you could work with any designer, artist or other creative – living or dead – who would it be and why?

NM: If I had the chance, I would have loved to work with Carlo Scarpa, a modernist architect whose attention to detail is almost unmatched. His appreciation for craft often led him to revel in the smallest of details, which was something I found truly inspiring. 

During a trip to Italy in 2015 with Monash’s study abroad program, I had the privilege of visiting some of his works, including the Castelvecchio Museum, Villa Ottolenghi and the Olivetti Showroom in Venice. His clever use of raw materials to create unique, robust and expressive forms left a lasting impression on me.  I believe there would have been so much to learn from his multifaceted, interdisciplinary background and experimental approach to design.

ADR: What guiding values drive you and what kind of impact do you hope to make through your work?

NM: Designing for longevity is a core value of mine and central to my approach to sustainable design. I focus on creating spaces that remain relevant over time, prioritising adaptability and durability to reduce the need for frequent renovations or total refurbishments, which in turn helps minimise waste and resource consumption. If designed well, buildings and their interior spaces should stand the test of time – aesthetically, functionally and physically.

I stay true to my principles, guiding clients away from fleeting trends and instead focusing on strong design concepts, context and the unique needs of the people who will inhabit these spaces. Ultimately, it’s about creating more meaningful, long-lasting design outcomes.

ADR: How did it feel to make it into Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30?

NM: Being selected for ADR’s 30UNDER30 cohort for 2024/25 is an incredible honour, and I’m absolutely thrilled. The process of submitting my entry alone made me reflect deeply on my journey, both as a designer and a person. It reignited my passion and helped me feel more grounded than ever in my work.

I’m grateful to be part of such an inspiring group of talented designers, excited to see how the program will continue to shape my life and career and look forward to contributing to the broader conversation about the future of our industry.

ADR’s 30UNDER30 Interior and Product Designers stream is brought to you by major sponsor Neolith, alongside Miele, Interface and Tongue & Groove. The program is also supported by practice partners Arent&Pyke, BLP, BVN, Cera Stribley, COX Architecture, GroupGSA, Hassell, HDR, Richards Stanisich, Rothelowman, SJB and Williams Burton Leopardi. To find out more about the final 30, head to the winners page.