Designing from the Inside Out: Why People, Not Form, Come First
Trellis by Aria and Rothelowman. Photography by Peter Bennetts.
The spaces we create aren’t simply designed to be looked at, they’re designed to be lived in.
That’s why we lead with function, experience, and emotional connection before form. It’s how we create intuitive and aspirational places that genuinely enhance people’s lives.
We call it Designing from the Inside Out — starting with the soul of the building, not the silhouette.
Novus on Harris by Novus and Rothelowman.
Breaking the spell of the ‘God Sketch’
Designing from the inside out isn’t new. It’s a return to architecture’s core purpose. While it doesn’t mean we sideline form or beauty, it does mean that design elements like materiality, spatial planning, lighting, and circulation are all shaped by user experience, rather that being driven by a pursuit of the next visual statement.
Architecture at its heart, is about people, yet in recent decades, aesthetics has too often been prioritised over function. By starting with the lived experience and focusing on occupancy, joy, comfort, and connection, we return to what truly matters.
As National Design Partner Jonothan Cowle (JC) puts it: “Designing from the inside out is about refocusing; synthesising lessons from the past with the opportunities of the future.”
This approach ensures that a building’s use and emotional connection come before pre-determined form, allowing us to create spaces that resonate, endure, and succeed.
“Beauty alone can’t redeem a space that doesn’t work. By re-centring our approach around the human experience, we create places that perform exceptionally well, both functionally and commercially.”
The Hidden Rigour Behind Great Design
esigning from the inside out requires more than creative vision. It demands a seamless integration of functionality, viability, and experience. It’s how we demonstrate the enduring value and desirability of a project: not just on paper, but in lived experience.
“We rigorously test spatial configurations, involve stakeholders from the outset, and ensure every design decision is grounded in both human need and financial logic,” explains Managing Partner Nigel Hobart.
It sounds straightforward. But applying this discipline consistently, across every phase of every project is far from commonplace.
“To put it simply, the difference between an average restaurant and a hatted one isn’t just creativity, it’s consistency. Every dish must leave the kitchen with precision and care. Knowing this is one thing and delivering it, every time, is the real challenge,” Nigel continues.
Trellis by Aria and Rothelowman. Photography by Peter Bennetts.
Proof That Designing from the Inside Out Delivers
The success of designing from the inside out is evident in projects like Trellis, where a human-centric approach underpinned its commercial success and enduring desirability.
“One of the clearest expressions of this is the moon gate at Trellis: a sculptural threshold that draws residents through a lush landscape and into a calming sensory experience. Acting as both wayfinding and a moment of pause, it frames a daily ritual of arrival, enhancing wellbeing and emotional connection to place. It demonstrates that when functionality, experience, and aesthetics come together thoughtfully, the result is a space that enhances daily life and delivers greater value for our clients and their customers,” shares Nigel.
Instead of focusing on an iconic external statement, we prioritised elements that enhance everyday life.
“Even something as simple as the humble doormat at each dwelling was considered: a tactile threshold that marks the transition from public to private,” says JC. “It invites residents to pause, leave their shoes at the front door, and shift into a more personal rhythm. It’s a small gesture, but one that reflects the rituals of daily life and our commitment to designing spaces that feel intuitively like home.”
Casamia by Aria and Rothelowman.
Designing for What Comes Next
Australia’s capital cities are constantly evolving, and the need for spaces deeply connected to human experience is more important than ever. Rothelowman’s approach to Designing from the Inside Out is a commitment to creating places that genuinely enhance how people live, work, and interact.
By placing people at the centre of our design process, we ensure that our projects remain relevant, desirable, and successful—long into the future.
640 Bourke Street by Far East Consortium and Rothelowman.
