Yellowtrace Presents: Sofa Session with Adriana Hanna.

Details from the set: Zaza Modular Sofa by Sydney-based designer Charles Wilson for King. Oceania hand-loomed pure New Zealand wool rug from King, colour Terra Firma.

Back left: Monument porcelain ceramic side table from King (suitable for both indoor and outdoor use). Front middle: Issho asymmetric pebble-shaped coffee table from King. All sculptures (in metal and stone) by an independent Sydney-based artist, Clementine Maconachie of The Visuals.

Our second Sofa Session, from a video interview series produced in partnership with the Australian furniture brand King, welcomes a national treasure and the Australian design community’s best-kept secret. Adriana Hanna is a Sydney-born Melbourne-based architect and Director of Architecture at Kennedy Nolan. Although much loved and widely respected, this lady likes to keep a low profile. Until today!

This chat was quite special as I usually get to profile people who have their name on the door. What Adriana’s achieved within a practice somebody else started, in which she began her career as a student – is remarkable. Adriana is a role model for a generation of young professionals who aren’t necessarily aspiring to have their own studio but still want to achieve great things in their careers. I honestly don’t think we talk about this stuff enough – not everybody needs to start their own business in order to do great work and feel accomplished.

Related: Yellowtrace Presents, Sofa Session with William Smart.

“Good design is something that’s still very human, and very much for the user, but it tests all the parameters, executes it seamlessly, and looks effortless.” — Adriana Hanna

With an incredible work ethic, Adriana is obsessed with design and is someone I look up to and channel on those days when I’m feeling lazy to keep up the relentless research.

“I have a natural appetite to be across the design industry and I like to completely immerse myself in arts and design of every form – it’s definitely not just limited to architecture and interiors, or product design… I’m constantly seeking that information out in my spare time,” she says.

“Design is a barometer of our time. It’s a measure of what is happening – it’s like a cultural mark.”

A passionate supporter of Australian design, Adriana believes there is a lot this country has to offer and that we all need to play a part in supporting our local industry.

“There are some amazing producers here making fantastic quality, original pieces we can’t find anywhere else… and Australian design companies that are housing these beautiful ranges that we need to support,” says Adriana.

“I think people need to become educated to understand there is quality in these pieces as much as in the European-made pieces – they are handmade to the same quality. There needs to be a shift in the perception.”  

Praise be.

This Sofa Session was made possible through the generous support of King, an Australian furniture design brand with a 40+ year history. For more information and to explore King collections, visit their website here. To apply for King Trade & Commercial Account, a tailored division for registered Architects, Interior Architects, Interior Designers and Design Professionals, visit this page. 

Details from the set: Zaza Modular Sofa by Sydney-based designer Charles Wilson for King. Oceania hand-loomed pure New Zealand wool rug from King, colour Terra Firma. Issho asymmetric pebble-shaped coffee table from King. Monument porcelain ceramic side table from King (not in frame). All sculptures in metal and stone by an independent Sydney-based artist, Clementine Maconachie of The Visuals.

This Yellowtrace Promotion is proudly supported by KING. Like everything we do, our partner content is carefully produced to maintain the utmost relevance to our readers. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Yellowtrace.

[Photography by Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Video by Tommy Devy. Furniture and accessories by King. Artwork by Clementine Maconachie of The Visuals.]