Now in its third year, Australian Design Review’s 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.

Distinguished Sydney design practice Arent&Pyke was founded by Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke in 2007, specialising in interior architecture and design with a distinctive emphasis on the decorative arts.

Since its inception, Arent&Pyke has meticulously refined its philosophy on the art of infusing spaces with a harmonious resonance. Despite their accolades and the esteem garnered from industry peers, the true essence of their value lies in the emotional connections they foster. These connections, in turn, guide their aesthetic and functional decisions, creating environments that resonate deeply and meaningfully.

ADR recently sat down with the pair to discuss emotive interior design, adventurous approaches to work and the Zoomer generation.

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?

Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke: As trailblazers in emotive interior design in Australia for the past 17 years, we have led the way toward the integration of vibrancy, introspection and a refined sense of luxury across a diverse array of projects. These range from residential spaces to hospitality and retail environments.

Sharing this design philosophy with like-minded creatives is truly special. We currently have a team of 15 who actively champion Australia’s design and artistic community, embracing alliances with suppliers, makers, skilled tradespeople and artisans. We also support contemporary artists and gallerists, and pride ourselves on our extensive affiliations with them across our projects.

Sarah-Jane is the Design Institute of Australia’s NSW state chair and is extensively involved in behind-the-scenes activism to support the design industry. She regularly participates in their organised talks and forums. We both also sit on advisory panels and award juries and regularly speak at design-related events. As business owners, we have always believed in creating a work environment that supports our team. We launched our paid parental leave policy in January 2023, as well as flexible return-to-work arrangements to further support the needs of our team.

When we launched Arent&Pyke, we mapped out our core values and dreams, and we’re so proud to support families in this way. Our hope is that others in the industry will follow our lead.

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

Yes, we have three interior designers under 30 currently in our team. Every project of ours is the result of team effort – it’s the only way we work. Bouncing around ideas and drawing upon staff strengths always pushes our concepts and results further. I’ve especially noticed our young designers are particularly open-minded and curious, which often leads to quite adventurous approaches to their work. They bring a fresh attitude to problem-solving, as their resolutions are less likely to be based on past experience.

Our core project teams strike a balance between younger and more experienced designers which we regularly mix up so that everyone continues to learn from each other, and equally, about each other. Familiarity breeds confidence, and that’s how we want our team to feel.

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

There’s no denying that the younger generation will continue to bring savvier technological expertise to practices when it comes to technical drawings as CAD programs (plus others) continuously evolve. We’re already experiencing this in terms of the confidence and proficiency younger staff have with programs like Vectorworks. Productivity is frequently assessed by how well we save time, yet we emphasise the importance of taking a more deliberate approach. We encourage our younger staff to appreciate the value of slowing down. A conducive design environment allows for this slower pace, fostering creativity and facilitating the development of innovative ideas and new directions.

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?

In a physical sense, we operate an open office with no seating hierarchy. Both Juliette and I find ourselves ‘hot seating’ to liaise with the team individually. We also hold weekly knowledge exchange meetings. Each project lead shares new product findings through site experiences – both rewarding and challenging – so as a team, we can learn from them and assist with problem-solving when required. We also hold group workshops where we address the evolution of projects from concept to conclusion, focusing on lessons learned so that everyone can benefit.

Weekly social media and marketing meetings also convene to ensure our outreach is targeting relevant markets. Slack is a key internal resource tool we use to share information amongst the team, including notes from supplier visits through to specialist updates on new building techniques and materials.

Our client experience is inclusive. We supportively guide them to make informed decisions that lead to the creation of spirited spaces that collectively reflect their brand. We want them to feel fulfilled and empowered upon completion of their project. Along the design journey, we share our ideas, our discoveries and our inspired aesthetic insights. Equally, our relationship with key project stakeholders is founded upon respect and trust. This has led to regular collaborations with architectural practices and builders across project sectors.

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 future practice?

Given the extensive support provided by advanced technical design programs, which now incorporate artificial intelligence to accelerate processes, it is crucial for emerging designers to grasp the significance of teamwork and collaboration. Engaging in dynamic exchanges of ideas enhances creativity and ensures the development of well-rounded solutions.

Augmented and virtual reality will play a huge role in our not-too-distant future. Looking at the Zoomer generation, their world has been delivered to them via smartphones and laptop devices. It’s only logical that in the future we’ll be creating bespoke virtual reality furniture prototypes and interior environments. To do this genuinely, interior designers need to understand the importance of balancing analogue components of their work – texture and tactility – with a focus on how a space will feel and ensuring spatial layouts are both practical and innovative.

Sound will probably play a key role as well. So, while technology will be the medium, relying upon the senses, and logic, will be as essential in the future as it is now.

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

There was nothing like this program when we launched our business. Authenticity in the way we carry ourselves and the work that we produce is paramount to us, and it’s important that the next generation of design leaders understand the value of this attribute. By supporting, educating and inspiring a younger generation, our hope is that we can contribute to empowering them to set new innovative benchmarks that they are truly proud of.

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

What an incredible opportunity. The program provides mentorship plus career development and brings together fellow young designers excelling in their fields. It could lead to incredible employment and individual project opportunities. Who knows, you may even meet your future business partner!

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.

Lead image: Sydney Cove House, Lower Fort St., Dawes Point. Photo: Anson Smart