As winter envelops us with her cool days and colder nights, it’s just the time to get comfortable and settle back to enjoy inside 97, the third iteration for 2017. In this issue we talk to a variety of designers and architects, who have carved out successful careers, such as Ashley Sutton the uncrowned king of hospitality design in Asia, and the much venerated practice of PTW, which has been at the vanguard of architecture and design in Australia and beyond for many years. At Home we visit David Hicks and discover his exquisite apartment that stands as a testament to his longevity and great success as a designer. In Sydney, Alec Tzannes discusses International House in Discourse – the tallest commercial building to be made of timber and a project very close to his heart.

International House by Tzannes Architects. Photo by Ben Guthrie.

Where would we be without the beautiful photographs that grace the pages of inside? In this issue, we review very different exhibitions by two of Australia’s foremost interior and architectural photographers. Shannon McGrath and Derek Swalwell step outside their normal line of photographic aperture and extend their creativity further, while Wang Shu’s exhibition in Copenhagen is as interesting as his work.

Derek Swalwell’s WEST exhibition recently showed in Melbourne.

Our projects are eclectic and diverse in each and every aspect, size and intention, but all are unique and world’s best practice. In Melbourne, Mezz, a garden café with a difference by Studio Y, brings a touch of pizzazz to Chadstone Shopping Centre, while a high-in-the-sky Southbank penthouse designed by Alexander Pollock is pure sophistication in the clouds. In Brisbane the new studio of Alexandra Buchanan is quirky and compact and showcases the talent of this much in demand architect. Then we travel west to enjoy the phenomenon that is Crown Towers Perth by Bates Smart, an enormous undertaking in both size and interior design, with an opulence that takes luxury to another level. Speaking of travel, we take a peek into the Woods Bagot designed Platinum offering for Great Southern Rail. To take the edge off the winter hibernation we visit The Sum of Us by We Are Huntly, a yoga studio in Melbourne, that will have everyone limbering up to embrace their inner mountain pose. In warm and sultry Bali, Archimetriz, an architectural practice with sustainability at its heart, has created Parva house – small in stature but big in concept.

The luxurious and opulent Crown Towers Perth by Bates Smart grace the pages of inside 97. Photo by Sean Fennessy.

Yes, there is a lot to see and read in this winter edition of inside 97 and now is the perfect time to enjoy all the design news from home and abroad. So light the fire and pour a glass of red or make a pot of tea because you’re in for the long haul.

– Jan and Gillian

Lead image, a sneak peek inside the home of revered interior designer David Hicks. Photo by Dianna Snape.