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.

ADR is excited to announce that GroupGSA has come on board as a new practice partner for the Interior Design and Product Design stream in 2024/25. This international multi-disciplinary practice of architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and urban design has a strong mandate for all aspects of diversity and inclusion within the firm, including age.

Below, GroupGSA principal of interior design and the practice’s workplace and commercial sector lead Liam Higginbotham shares a bit about what his young staff – and young designers today – bring to the table.

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

Liam Higginbotham: GroupGSA is founded on the principles of collaborative creation for Country, place and people. As a multidisciplinary practice, we embrace true co-creation, working together across five key sectors to make a positive impact: workplace and commercial; education; cities and places; living environments; mixed-use; and retail and industrial.

Our approach unites our collective intelligence, bringing everyone to the table to engage in meaningful dialogue. Our core values – ‘All In’, ‘Cultivate Curiosity’, ‘Be Extraordinary’ and ‘Group Empowerment’ – guide us in shaping thoughtful, inclusive solutions for the communities we serve.

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

A significant portion of our team is under 30. Data from 2022 shows this figure was around 34 percent overall and it has likely to have grown in the past few years. I personally appreciate the energy and enthusiasm the younger cohort brings to the practice.

In the workplace sector, where multiple generations come together under one roof, our younger Millennials and Gen Z are driving change at an unprecedented pace. They’re pushing for access to cutting-edge technology and premium experiences, which is helping shape the future of work and challenge the status quo – a dynamic we find incredibly exciting.

At the heart of this conversation, especially among younger generations, is a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. Research into neurodiversity plays a key role in this dialogue. We are working on a confidential project with industry partners to design and build a sensory space within one of Sydney’s most beloved cultural attractions. Through this work, we continue to learn how dedicated relaxation and sensory relief spaces can enhance overall experiences and boost productivity for all generations.

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

As advanced technologies like AI continue to evolve, many of our routine tasks are being automated, allowing us to concentrate on work that demands deeper connections and creative problem-solving.

Technology also provides access to richer data, opening exciting opportunities for interpretation. With this enriched data at our fingertips, the future of our industry, particularly younger generations, is motivated to learn new ways of interpreting and effectively applying data to solve problems.

This trend will continue to drive demand for meaningful and experiential interactions, which many of our clients now prioritise. In recent years, workplaces have evolved to allocate more space for seamless team collaboration, fostering stronger, more meaningful relationships and facilitating knowledge sharing. We are increasingly witnessing the convergence of hospitality and workplace design, where food and beverage offerings are integrated into these experiences. This transformation is not only enhancing business success but also reducing workplace friction and creating more dynamic work environments.

By fostering meaningful dialogue with our younger team members and blending their fresh perspectives with the experience and wisdom of seasoned professionals, we can unlock new avenues for thought leadership, co-designing the future in innovative and collaborative ways.

Collaboration often plays a vital role in successful design projects. How does your practice approach collaboration, both internally among team members and externally with clients and stakeholders?

As younger generations are digital natives and expect seamless experiences, we’ve embraced more agile collaboration in our daily workflows. We have a flexible work policy grounded in strong communication and teamwork. We use tools like Microsoft Teams, Miro boards and cloud-based collaboration platforms to streamline how and where we communicate, share and iterate on designs – both internally and with external partners, consultants and collaborators. 

Depending on our clients’ preferences, we either immerse ourselves in their environment for periods or agree on digital platforms to share our design process with them in real-time.

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

In line with some of the perspectives shared above, and perhaps contrary to other schools of thought, I believe younger generations will need a more robust social toolkit to navigate the balance between AI-driven realities and fostering meaningful connections with others. The ability to distinguish between the power of technology and the value of coming together to share ideas and innovate will be essential.

It would also be remiss of me not to mention the role of a sustainable design process and how this has become ingrained in our daily practice. Our commitment to sustainability is more than a checklist. Our younger generation is passionate about addressing the biggest challenges we are facing in this space, making and driving the discussion of how we, as a practice, can innovate further and make a difference.

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

I strongly believe in creating opportunities to support and nurture young talent and celebrate the future of our industry, as do the other leaders in our studio.

30UNDER30 is a platform that drives growth. I consistently encourage my team to build their personal brand, both within our practice and externally, as it helps them envision their future and create strong networks for personal development. 

Simultaneously, it’s a powerful way to elevate our practice’s brand and showcase the exceptional talent we have. We are incredibly fortunate as a practice to work with world-leading brands and clients, which give us the opportunity to design landmark, industry-defining projects. Our younger team members are embraced for their fresh perspectives and are empowered early on, with careful guidance, to develop critical soft skills such as stakeholder management. They work closely with clients and consultants to listen, learn and translate, driving innovative design outcomes while confidently challenging the status quo. This exposure allows them to contribute meaningfully to market-leading projects, growing in both creativity and professionalism. 

It’s a philosophy my mentors instilled in me, and it has been instrumental in my own career development – a true win-win for all parties involved.

Lead image of QBE Sydney, photographed by Luc Remond. All photography supplied by GroupGSA.

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.