Ferguson Design Studio was established in 2004 by Angela Ferguson, with a vision to pursue atypical and innovative interior design solutions. The studio has grown to include Associate Lisa Dinham and ESD Leader Karen Garrett. FDS pride themselves on being flexible, creative and practical. The Studio combines the expertise of a large firm with a ‘hands on’, detail focused approach. Their diverse projects include display suites at MCentral Residential development, a museum for Qantas, child care centres, corporate office interiors, as well as furniture design, all varying in design quirkiness, style and budget. Recently, FDS jointly with futurespace won the Google Australian Headquarters.

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Helen Norrie
Lecturer
School of Architecture
University of Tasmania

What Helen Says about m3architecture:

m3architecture manage to constantly squeeze delightful moments of invention into projects in unexpected ways.

*m3architecture QUT Human Movement Pavilion – Photography by Jon Linkins

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Jasmin Leaney, swanbury penglase

What Jasmin says about BGK Contech:

‘New and emerging design firm with a passion for architecture, materiality and the vision to create spaces that respond to the environment and the clients experience in the dwelling. In particular their Shack in Corny Point.’

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Thomas Bucich Design was nominated by:

Mark Stanford, M M Stanford

What Marks says about Thomas Bucich Design:

As ‘they consistently push the boundaries while maintaining design practice excellence.’

* Wildfire by Thomas Bucich – Photograph courtesy of Thomas Bucich

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What Jenny says about Siren Design Group:
For ‘the great job done with our new office last year in Walsh Bay.’

* Yahoo 7 – Photograph courtesy Siren Design Group

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Cindy-Lee Davies was nominated by:

Paul Charlwood
Founder of the Melbourne and Sydney Design Guides

What Paul says about Cindy-Lee Davies:

Cindy –Lee Davies of ‘lightly’. She has developed a wide range of idiosyncratic designs for with form, texture and reference to the past. I’m sure we will see her work picked up by the mainstream manufactures soon!

*Forever Bowl by lightly – Photography courtesy of Cursor

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And he is the only Dutch designer that you can spot playing snooker with a schooner of VB on a Sunday afternoon.

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Charles Wilson was nominated by:

Robert Bevan
Journalist
The afr magazine
The australian financial review
Deputy Editor
afr: the sophisticated traveller

What Robert Bevan says about Charles Wilson: He manages to use many different mediums expertly to design everything from sofas to a candelabra and flip top containers (and not just for the sake of it). Each has its own individuality, is true to its innate materiality, is problem-solving and yet, as a whole, his output is both aesthetically coherent and identifiably by him.

*The new design by Charles Wilson for Woodmark, The Heron Chair – Photograph courtesy of Woodmark

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In late 2004 Trent Jansen opened his own studio in Sydney, for the most part focusing on creating honest and poetic sustainable design and developing pieces that aim to maintain a lasting relationship with their user. His designs are intended to becomes a life long companion instead of a disposable thing, fostering meaningful relationships through the honesty and personality that this work possesses.
Trent Jansen has been a finalist in the Bombay Sapphire ‘Design Discovery’ Award in 2004, 2005 and 2006, was the winner of the Spiral ‘Rendez-vous’ Japanese Manufacturing Residency in 2006, was the winner of the Australia Council for the Arts ‘New Work’ Award in 2005 and was the winner of the Object ‘New Design’ National Graduate Award in 2004.

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Greg Natale Design is an award-winning, Sydney-based, internationally recognised interior design firm, known for its cutting-edge work. From its inception in 2001, the company has been committed to design excellence and original and inventive approaches to the indoor landscape. During this time, Greg Natale Design has experienced significant growth and recognition and has completed many projects for residential, retail, corporate and hospitality clients.

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David Hicks is an award winning Melbourne based design company specialising in interiors for retail, hospitality, and residential clients throughout Australia and overseas. He has been featured extensively both in national and international magazines and journals.

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Energy – what has your project done to minimise overall energy usage?
By installing over-sized sun-controlled louvres across the length of the external façade, internal temperatures could be controlled and this eliminated the need for internal air-conditioning.
The introduction of a ‘night sky cooling’ system to collect, store and reuse rainwater in mechanical units has helped to prevent ‘sick building’ syndrome.
To conserve water we have introduced on-site tanks for reuse in toilet flushings and irrigation.
Embedding hydronic pipes within the floor slab helps to reduce the energy consumption and prevent radiant cooling to interior spaces. Also introduced was an integrated under-floor displacement air system that services all offices and workstations for greater comfort in the working environment.

Waste – what has your project done to minimise overall waste production?
FMSA followed the Department of Justice’s strict guidelines and developed a waste management strategy. Waste is collected, sorted and dispersed on site. Recycling bins are selectively placed around the offices and paper wastage is minimised by reusing, printing on both sides, etc.

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Energy – what has your project done to minimise overall energy usage?
The building configuration consists of a central core and four glazed facades, allowing for an abundance of natural light. The Interior design approach seeks to maximise access to natural light and views by providing an open plan environment.
By design 90% of workstations are within eight meters of daylight. This provides dual energy savings and productivity gains through reduced need for artificial light and improved indoor environmental quality for occupants

Waste – what has your project done to minimise overall waste production?
The construction phase of the base building provided maximum integration opportunities resulting in cost savings as well as waste minimisation.
Materials and products for installation were selected and assessed on the basis of their low environmental impact, recycled content, recycle-ability and the waste management systems of their relative manufacturers.

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What is the ‘big (IDEA)’ behind this project?
The inspiration was to design a wonderland inspired by Hollywood and the Palm Springs glamour of yesteryear. Many custom designed pieces were specifically sourced to enrich the design. Custom designed carpets, wall paneling and gold leaf hanging units were mixed with antique finds, such as French gold side chairs and a1960′s gold leaf and ceramic lamp. The innovative use of picture frames used to border the joinery units added a touch of glamour while beveled mirrored tiling was applied to the bulkhead and mirrored joinery for dramatic effect.

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What is the ‘big (IDEA)’ behind this project?
The brief was to create an workable presentation space where clients could contact a representative for payments, key collection, to view property information or to arrange to see an agent. The client sought a solution that avoided traditional commercial outcomes associated with estate agents, in particular those concerning branding and spatial planning. From the outside continuously running monitors display available properties along the curved glazing line of the shop façade. Moving through the space, the low ceiling in the entry opens into an expansive area containing a black timber platform and custom designed timber reception desk, meeting table and chairs. A bold red lacquered storage unit sits behind the seating arrangement punctuating the space.

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