Meet-the-team Series: Kiel Gailer

We’re proud to announce the promotion of Kiel Gailer to Associate and Interior Design Manager a well‑deserved milestone that reflects years of steady growth, quiet leadership, and consistently exceptional work - Learn more here

As part of our Meet-the-team series, Kiel recently shared some insights into his experience and approach to design.

How do you stay inspired by the technical side of the industry, e.g. new software, building codes, or sustainability standards?

I stay engaged with the technical side of the industry by treating it as a design enabler rather than a constraint. New software, building codes, and sustainability standards all shape how a project can perform, and understanding them early opens up better design outcomes rather than limiting them. Keeping up to date allows technical requirements to be integrated into the design process, not applied as a corrective overlay later on. When used well, this integration strengthens both the functionality and the overall quality of the design.

How do you approach a project differently when you know the primary goal is longevity versus immediate visual impact?

I don’t see longevity and visual impact as mutually exclusive. When longevity is a key driver, the priority is understanding what that actually means to the client. If it’s a more ‘set and forget’ approach, where the use of the space is unlikely to change, the focus shifts to durability, including robust materials, reliable detailing, and hard‑wearing design decisions. If longevity is about the space evolving with its users over time, then the emphasis is on flexibility. That might mean fewer fixed elements, more modular planning, and services and infrastructure that can adapt to changes in technology and user needs. In both cases, the design is shaped by how the space is expected to perform not just now, but well into the future.

What’s a design 'myth' or common misconception you’re constantly debunking for people outside the industry?

A common myth is that design is just about aesthetics. Yes, designers want to create visually engaging spaces (no one wants to work in an environment that doesn’t inspire them). But good design is grounded in function first. There’s little value in a beautiful space if it doesn’t meet the requirements of the brief or genuinely support the people using it. A significant part of the design process is focused on functionality, pragmatics, and inclusivity. Balancing these practical demands with a strong visual outcome can be challenging, but that balance is at the heart of good design.

What is the most rewarding feedback you’ve ever received from a client after they moved into a space you designed?

Sometimes the most rewarding feedback is no feedback at all - when a space simply works as intended. That said, it’s always wonderful to hear when a space is genuinely embraced by its users. One example that stands out was feedback from a tertiary client, who noted that a previously underutilised campus space we had aimed to activate through redesign had become a popular destination for students. It was rare for them to pass by without seeing it full. That confirmed we’d created a space people actively chose to spend time in, and that it truly met the client's brief.

What are some design ideas that could help a building or space remain sustainable and adaptable for the next 20+ years?

For me, designing for long‑term sustainability starts with prioritising performance and longevity over short‑term visual impact (not that visual impact can't also be achieved). That means selecting materials based on full life‑cycle thinking, including durability, maintenance, and end‑of‑life outcomes, not just how they look on day one. It also involves designing for what’s coming rather than what’s current, by anticipating changes in technology, use, and user needs. Building flexibility and modularity into layouts, services, and infrastructure allows spaces to evolve over time without requiring major rebuilds, extending the life of the building or space and reducing waste over the long term.

More questions answered here