Knowledge

Plunder our brains and the brains of global experts in our Knowledge section. Find out the latest news, trends and ideas across every area of design thinking and practice including interiors, buildings, precincts and cities.


Thumbnail for the article 'Ilma Ali: Creativity with a purpose'

Ilma Ali: Creativity with a purpose

For Ilma Ali, a fine artist and multi-disciplinary designer from Hames Sharley’s Darwin studio, design is embedded in her creative pursuits and has become a force for good that underpins significant moments in her life.

Thumbnail for the article 'Fostering connection through disconnection' by Interior Design Thought Leadership Group

Fostering connection through disconnection

Workplace design in 2030

Interior Design Thought Leadership Group

While the evolution of automation and AI technologies hint at a future that is distant and impersonal, how can we better design our workplaces to foster human connection and promote wellbeing?

Thumbnail for the article 'Towards a regenerative future' by Yaara Plaves, Paris Jacobs, Talia Uylaki, Dr Emil E. Jonescu

Towards a regenerative future

Yaara Plaves, Paris Jacobs, Talia Uylaki, Dr Emil E. Jonescu

Our Research & Development team recently undertook a study to explore the power of regenerative design as it impacts our work, our industry and our future – it’s the next frontier of sustainability.

Thumbnail for the article 'The NEXus of research and design' by Talia Uylaki, Emil Jonescu and Iain Stewart

The NEXus of research and design

Talia Uylaki, Emil Jonescu and Iain Stewart

As designers of the built environment, it is essential that we keep learning and developing our understanding of society’s evolving needs. National Exchange (NEX) is Hames Sharley’s fortnightly webinar series that provides our architects and designers with direct access to speakers at the forefront of architectural research and thought leadership, empowering them to integrate new ideas and techniques into their practice.

Thumbnail for the article 'Navigating Australian police station design with expertise and sensitivity' by Janine Graves and Emil Jonescu

Navigating Australian police station design with expertise and sensitivity

Janine Graves and Emil Jonescu

Modern police stations are integral to Australian communities. They are dynamic hubs encompassing diverse functions and spaces – far beyond simply law enforcement – with a design approach that is deeply collaborative at every level. But in the face of great change, how do we design the police stations of the future?

Thumbnail for the article 'The journey towards Mandatory Climate Reporting: Are you ready?' by Yaara Plaves

The journey towards Mandatory Climate Reporting: Are you ready?

Yaara Plaves

In January 2025, the Australian Government’s long-awaited Mandatory Climate Reporting is due to be phased in for large Australian corporations and financial institutions - we are ready to work with clients on their sustainability journey.

Thumbnail for the article 'Sensory-based design for our ageing population' by Talia Uylaki, Gaye McKean, Lucinda Trevaskis, Gary Mackintosh

Sensory-based design for our ageing population

Talia Uylaki, Gaye McKean, Lucinda Trevaskis, Gary Mackintosh

We all deserve to age in comfort, and to feel supported within an inclusive environment. But the built environment can be challenging to navigate for those who are sensitive to environmental stimuli, such as those living with neurogenerative diseases – though it needn’t be. In research led by Talia Uylaki, we explored how sensory-based design can lead to better outcomes for people living with dementia.

Thumbnail for the article 'Shifting the tide'

Shifting the tide

Preparing our cities for rising sea levels

To better understand the impact of climate change, we recently investigated how different LGAs are approaching the imminent threats of Rising Sea Levels (RSL) and Rising Flooding, Coastal Erosion and Climate (RFCC) on our coastline morphology and communities.

Thumbnail for the article 'Today’s Library: More than just books' by James Edwards, Jessika Hames

Today’s Library: More than just books

James Edwards, Jessika Hames

As physical collections have become less of a requirement for study and research, the core function of the library has broadened to become a hub – for students and academics, and increasingly the wider community.

Thumbnail for the article 'Public realm: A matter of inclusion' by William Hames, Iain Stewart and Sonja Duric

Public realm: A matter of inclusion

William Hames, Iain Stewart and Sonja Duric

Helping people navigate and understand how a place works involves careful consideration and planning to improve accessibility, orientation and connectivity, along with those intangible moments of magic that lift a space to cultural icon status visited the world over.

Thumbnail for the article 'The shape of water' by Yaara Plaves, Madeleine Steele & Talia Uylaki

The shape of water

How regenerative design can save our public pools and improve water safety

Yaara Plaves, Madeleine Steele & Talia Uylaki

Australia is an urban coastal nation – we love the water and our well-known fascination with the beach and water is part of our cultural DNA. But despite the strong culture around water, recent figures reveal that drowning deaths are increasing. The infrastructure of public swimming pools is also fast approaching its use-by-date, meaning we’re falling short in meeting the contemporary and anticipated future needs of our communities. However, we believe design can help.

Thumbnail for the article 'There’s no place like home: Sarah’s journey and finding a home in architecture'

There’s no place like home: Sarah’s journey and finding a home in architecture

As a young child, Sarah experienced housing insecurity first-hand. She moved constantly with her loving family from a baby to young adulthood, moving into 15 different homes growing up in Adelaide. Every time she moved, Sarah would sit and draw the floorplan of her new home so she knew where to go and could start to feel at ease in her new surrounds. This started her path towards architecture, having experienced the criticality of a secure home, our sense of ‘place’ and the importance of our mental health as part of our life experiences.