Sophie Kebbell is an interior designer from Australian Design Review‘s 30UNDER30 cohort of 2024/2025, and also a senior interior designer for Melbourne-based design practice Hassell. We speak with the future-focused creative to learn more about their artistic inspirations and how it feels to be among ADR‘s select group of 30UNDER30 members.

Australian Design Review: How would you describe your work?

Sophie Kebbell: I’d say tactile, adaptable and future-focused. I really love spending time conceptualising and creating a ‘big idea’ upfront, because I think a strong concept can ground the whole project and drive it towards something truly unique.

With that said, every project I’ve worked on has been different to the other, so describing it visually, is tricky! I’m really interested in the 1:1 scale, the stuff people touch and interact with closely.

When it comes to documentation, I love finding smarter ways for our systems at Hassell to work so we can focus more on design thinking and less on the repetitive stuff.

30UNDER30 2024/25 member Sophie Kebbell. Image supplied.

ADR: What has been a highlight in your career so far?

SK: Working on the Arup Brisbane workplace has definitely been a career highlight. It was never about creating a standard office, but something connected to place, unique to Brisbane, and aligned with Arup’s purpose of shaping a better world through sustainable design.

Targeting the Living Building Challenge pushed us all, and I’m so proud we went beyond just ticking boxes. Sharing the stories behind the design has been really special.

Collaborating with Five Mile Radius changed how I think about waste, and working with Blaklash brought so much richness through First Nations storytelling. I’ve also been lucky to have incredible mentors and teammates at Hassell, which makes the whole experience even more meaningful.

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

SK: I’d love to work with Hiroshi Sugimoto. Seeing his project Appropriate Proportion, the renovation of Gooh Shrine in Naoshima, initially sparked my interest. Spending a day at the New Material Research Laboratory with him would be amazing to see how they reinterpret traditional materials for today.

I also love how varied his work is and how much meaning he weaves in, especially around time and memory. Such an interesting fellow.

ADR: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

SK: I love tinkering with my own place and helping friends with theirs. It’s a fun way to scratch my residential design itch. I’ve also realised a lot of my love for travel comes from the planning side, especially searching for beautiful places to stay. Spending hours on Airbnb has become one of my favourite hobbies.

ADR: What do you do to kickstart your creativity when you’re in a rut?

SK: I usually start by scrolling through design websites like dezeen and ADR to see what other designers are doing in different sectors. It always sparks ideas. 

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

Sophie Kebbell in attendance at the ADR 30UNDER30 retreat in Bali.

SK: Curiosity and empathy really guide me. I love talking to people and digging into the ‘why,’ because it helps me understand how they’ll use a space. That’s shaped how I design, making things adaptable and inclusive so they work for all kinds of people.

I also hold onto values like authenticity, using honest materials, and sustainability at every scale. It makes the work feel more rewarding and hopefully more impactful.

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

SK: It’s an honour, and honestly a bit wild to be recognised alongside so many talented designers. More than anything, it’s a reminder of the responsibility we have as young designers to keep pushing for better outcomes. I feel proud, but even more motivated for what’s ahead.

Spending time with the cohort has left me really optimistic about the future of design in Australia, not just because of the talent, but the character of the people coming through.

Photography by Amazing Bali Events.

Related: 30UNDER30’s Kaila Cicchini on being the mentor she wishes she’d had