You may have already seen our list of 2017’s Hottest Projects – if not, take a look over here. Now it’s time for us to recap the interviews and people that had you clicking and reading more.

From hospitality stalwarts to the furniture designers you’re probably already familiar with, take a look at our hitlist of people.

Paul Papadopoulos

Paul Papadopoulos set up his Sydney interior design firm, DS17, over 25 years ago. Having chiselled out a respected spot as one of Sydney’s go-to hospitality designers, Indesign talked to Paul to find out what makes him tick.

“Design must seduce, shape and more importantly evoke an emotional response,” Paul says.

Paul Papadopoulos of DS17.

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Ben Edwards

Earlier in the year, Ben Edwards announced that he would be going it alone with the launch of Studio Edwards. The move came after deciding to branch out from Edwards Moore, the architecture studio he established with Juliet Moore in 2009.

When talking about the motivation behind the decision, Ben explains, “For me, it’s not just about a top-down way of thinking about design; it’s about connection, bringing people together and identifying alternative ways to make projects happen.’

Ben Edwards

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Nathan Bachli

We chatted to Nathan Bachli, the newly appointed director at Hub Furniture, about his incredible 11-year stint at the company.

What’s been a motivator throughout that time? When you’re really clear about why you are doing what you’re doing, you don’t get side tracked. And I think that’s where things like resilience, resolve, commitment and dedication come from,” says Nathan.

Nathan Bachli of Hub.

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Dowel Jones

Dowel Jones, which was founded by Dale Hardiman and Adam Lynch, is pretty much a household name in design circles these days.

Four years into launching their brand, Adam and Dale have an impressive following. When talking about how they keep growing and changing, the designers say “We like to think our overall vision of Dowel Jones changes each year as we react to our environment and circumstances.”

(L-R) Dale Hardiman and Adam Lynch of Dowel Jones.

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Fiona Young

Fiona might be the only female on the list, but she has so many strings to her bow she could take up more than spot.

Fiona is an architect, learning environments researcher, PhD candidate, master planner and former Chair of the NSW Chapter of the Association for Learning Environments and Hayball’s studio director.

When talking about her speciality and how she got to where is today, Fiona explains, “I have a rather niche background in architecture, having worked in the museum sector on exhibition design. This has given me a unique perspective towards bridging the thinking between learning environments and exhibitions, and I’m particularly interested in how pedagogy and learning space design can interact to create dynamic learning environments that engage students, both today and in the future.”

Fiona Young of Hayball.

Image at top, Hurdle side table by Dowel Jones, photo by Cricket Studio.