Now in its third year, Australian Design Review’s (ADR) 30UNDER30 program has established itself as the leading mentorship and career development program in the architecture and design industry. The unique program brings together game changers, industry leaders, practice founders, product manufacturers, suppliers and sponsors to celebrate and empower the young interior and product designers of the future.

Shining as a 30UNDER30 practice partner for three years, Billard Leece Partnership (BLP) is a leading architectural practice in social infrastructure design, with the goal of maximising social impact, and enriching the health and wellbeing of community through the built environment.

The practice is inspired by 30UNDER30’s “inspirational energy” and praises the program’s steadfast commitment to uplifting young talent by providing invaluable mentoring opportunities and ample room for personal and professional development.

BLP empathises with young designers navigating an unpredictable yet exciting design landscape. The practice urges emerging talent to prioritise developing critical thinking skills, in addition to designing for inclusivity and accessibility and remaining open to ongoing learning and knowledge acquisition.

Australian Design Review recently sat down with BLP executive strategy and communications lead Andrea Nixon to discuss practice philosophy, the energy and spirit of the successive generation of designers and the unmissable opportunity for growth offered by the 30UNDER30 program.

Australian Design Review: Can you share with us the driving philosophy or core values behind your studio that make it stand out in the industry?

Our core purpose at BLP is to ‘design for a healthy world’ and we challenge ourselves with ‘it starts with us’. We strongly focus on what it means to create spaces for our overall health and wellbeing in all sectors we work in – namely health, education, and science and technology. Our driving philosophy is that the spaces we create will have a profound impact on the people who inhabit them.

We understand architecture is not just aesthetics but about fostering environments that promote physical, mental and social wellbeing. The pandemic has underscored the importance of health and wellbeing in our built environment. The world is shifting its priorities to address these concerns, and we create spaces that not only meet those functional needs of our clients, but enhance the overall quality of life for the users.

Why did you come on board as a practice partner of Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30 Interior and Product Design stream for 2024/25?

BLP readily embraced the 30UNDER30 platform – we recognise the vital role it plays in filling an industry gap for the next generation of architects and designers.

This initiative has been an opportunity to uplift emerging talent, alongside acting as a deeply rewarding experience for us as a practice. It was fantastic to see Amanda Beck and Harsha Rajashekar from BLP make the list last year. It has contributed to the growth of these young designers by expanding their networks and allowing them to benefit from industry mentorship.

As a mentor for the 30UNDER30 architecture stream earlier this year, what was your biggest takeaway from the experience?

The experience confirmed the power of connection and creativity. It was clear how important are these values are for the next generation, and it reinforced the need to nurture new collaborative spaces as an industry. And, of course, a big thanks to all the mentors and mentees who made it such a rewarding event to be part of.

Do you have staff aged 30 and under? What do young designers bring to your practice?

We actively recruit students and graduates with the idea they will grow with us. We know it is important to nurture all generations in the workplace. Young designers bring energy, fresh ideas and excellent technical skills. We enjoy the ability of this cohort to learn and contribute at the same time. This mutual exchange of ideas and skills enriches our practice and helps us deliver better outcomes.

How do you envision the next generation shaping your industry, and how does your firm contribute to their development?

The next generation is shaping our industry through technological innovation, strong values around sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and an emphasis on mental health. This aligns perfectly with BLP’s core focus on creating meaningful social impact.

We encourage a collaborative and inclusive work environment where ideas are freely shared and respected, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. Our project teams give the younger generations the chance for external collaboration with clients, stakeholders and partners where possible. This is supported by in-house learning, mentoring and training.

The design landscape is constantly evolving. How do you think young interior and product designers should develop their skill sets to meet the demands of the future practice?

In an ever-evolving design landscape, young product and interior designers face the constant challenge of responding to changes and tech disruptions in the industry.

Interior and product designers will need to develop critical thinking skills to adapt to this evolving tech-based environment and push boundaries on design outcomes. This is where 30UNDER30 provides a great example and opportunity for young designers to receive mentor support and learn from others.

What would you say to designers who are a little apprehensive about entering the program? Why should they enter 30UNDER30?

It’s an unmissable opportunity. The career development and personal growth guaranteed by the 30UNDER30 program enhances the potential of young designers and allows a space for creating a community to grow.

This inspirational energy – coupled with the program’s many other remarkable qualities – makes it an unparalleled experience for anyone looking to expand horizons, both professionally and personally. The chance to be part of an inspiring community is something every young designer should seize.

Photography supplied.

Featured Image: Campbelltown Hospital Street with local flora art mural.

Australian Design Review’s 30UNDER30 Interior and Product Designers stream is brought to you by major sponsor Neolith, alongside gold partners Interface, Miele and Tongue & Groove. The program is supported by practice partners Arent&Pyke, BVN, Billard Leece Partnership, Cera Stribley, COX Architecture, GroupGSA, Hassell, HDR, Richards Stanisich, Rothelowman, SJB and Williams Burton Leopardi.

Check out the program here.