Hosted by Australian Design Review and Rothelowman in partnership with Kogan, the series of events kicked off last Thursday at the practice’s Sydney studio.

The very first quiz in the very first Pineapple Soup included the following question:

Pineapple Soup events are designed to be:
A) Informative lectures
B) Cooking classes
C) Fun, interactive design evenings to strengthen our community

The answer was C. So, for everyone reading this thinking, ‘What on earth is Pineapple Soup?’ now you know.

Publisher of Australian Design Review and a portfolio of other magazines, websites and client content, Niche Media also runs events and programs. The Interior Design Excellence Awards celebrate 25 years in 2027, while another of our flagship programs, Australian Design Review‘s 30UNDER30 will turn five at the same time.

Adding to that mix is this new initiative – a regular get together in an architectural/interior design practice’s own studio, with an aligned commercial partner exploring a topic relevant to the A+D industry. But rather than solely a straight panel or po-faced presentation, Pineapple Soup is designed to bring a spot of levity into the proceedings.

Last Thursday, Conrad Lowry, strategic partnerships at Rothelowman’s Sydney studio in Surry Hills, welcomed guests and introduced both the evening’s topic – build to rent (BTR) – and Matt Jefferies, General Manager Commercial and B2B at Kogan.

An aperitif

The Rothelowman team had decorated the room appropriately – with hanging posters of relevant projects circling the event space – and organised a magnificent charcuterie board, a range of canapés and drinks.

Jefferies explained why the BTR space is an area in which Kogan is becoming heavily involved. Kogan.com was founded in 2006—famously beginning with Ruslan Kogan selling televisions from his parents’ garage—and has since grown into one of Australia’s largest online retailers, now offering millions of products across private label ranges and leading global brands. In 2026, Kogan marks 20 years of operation, built on supply chain innovation, scale and value delivery.

Kogan Commercial is now accelerating its presence in Build-to-Rent (BTR), student accommodation and co-living sectors, leveraging national logistics, supplier partnerships and a cost-efficient model to deliver scalable, value-driven procurement solutions for developers and asset owners.

The appetiser

Before Ben Pomroy, principal of Rothelowman Sydney, could deliver his presentation about the practice’s experience in BTR, there was a pause for the ice-breaking part of the evening – the inaugural Pineapple Soup quiz.

Three handpicked teams of three (named after recent Rothelowman projects: Sturt, Cordelia and Hassall) hovered over their brightly coloured buzzers, while quiz mistress and Niche’s general manager Commercial, Jillian Hood, fired off a series of questions comprising general design knowledge, popular culture and some related to the three companies hosting the event.

It was neck and neck until the final question when Sturt took the line honours guessing the ‘who am I?’ with only one clue. (Told you ‘Glenn Murcutt’ would be too easy, Jillian…)

Congratulations to Curtis, Holly and Henry, who took home Kogan 4K Dual Screen Wi-Fi Action Camera with Waterproof Case courtesy of Kogan, while the gallant runners-up also pocketed some consolation wine and chocolate.

And an extra special congratulations to the lucky door prize-winner, who picked up a Kogan SmarterHome™ LX20 Pro Robot Vacuum.

The main course

Pomroy took the microphone to talk about the BTR projects Rothelowman currently has underway or has recently completed, which include Arklife Cordelia. The South Brisbane project features restored heritage buildings at the front and back and has apartments designed for adaptability.

As Pomroy explained the bathrooms are centralised in the core of the floor plates, so that apartment walls can be moved, and bedrooms and bathrooms rearranged without moving the living spaces. All the now familiar aspirational amenities are included – a rooftop pool and function rooms to give residents a resort-like experience.

As part of his presentation, Pomroy took questions from the floor, leading to a considered response to issues like affordable housing. He suggested that if governments don’t make significant moves in this direction, the BTR may well evolve to answer the need.

Following the structured part of the evening, the gathered guests then indulged in one of Pineapple Soup’s other great aims – networking, socialising and generally sharing ideas, industry news and cheery chat until it was time to wrap up.

But before leaving, the entire cohort was treated to one last instance of Kogan’s largesse, with a packet of Allen’s pineapple lollies and… drum roll… a Kogan 140W MAX 27000 power bank in every showbag. Now that beats a Bertie Beetle and a monkey on a stick…

All photos: Dianne Engesser, Narrative Post.