Australia’s premier art fair, Sydney Contemporary, returned to Carriageworks in September for its largest and most ambitious edition yet, presenting an expanded program of art, performance, and conversation. At the fair, est living and Polestar partnered with three leading Australian designers to explore how luxury, materiality, and innovation intersect in interiors, reflected in the refined details of Polestar vehicles.
In partnerships with Polestar, the luxury electric vehicle partner of Sydney Contemporary 2025.
The Design Drive Series presents the perspectives of three leading Australian studios—Hecker Guthrie, Decus, and Alexander &Co.—showcasing how creativity, materiality, and purpose shape contemporary interiors. Each designer’s vision is framed through the immersive experience of Polestar’s refined interiors, from the black ash wood deco and Nappa perforated leather to signature, gold seatbelts and panoramic roofs—Polestar’s Scandinavian-designed vehicles highlight the intersection of modern luxury, material and technological innovation, and circular design.
Paul Hecker inside the Polestar 3
For Founding Principals Paul Hecker and Hamish Guthrie of Melbourne-based studio Hecker & Guthrie, innovation emerges organically from experience. Paul and Hamish, who test drove the Polestar 3, describe their approach as “not setting out to be innovative… it’s about creating spaces that people feel comfortable in and engage with.” Their work balances sensory experience with spatial intelligence, integrating art as a collaborative tool to enrich the interiors their team crafts. The designers align their interiors and the Polestar 3’s sustainability-sourced Nappa perforated leather seats and black ash wood deco,—where luxury details meet functional elegance. “It’s the joy of collaboration,” they add, highlighting sustainability as intrinsic to their practice, with every material and finish considered for longevity and environmental impact.
At Sydney-based studio Decus, Creative Director and Founder Alexandra Donohue, who explored the Polestar 4, emphasises intuition in design: “It’s a bit of a dance back and forth until it just feels right.” Sculptural form, materiality, and art are woven into interiors with precision, creating a dialogue that elevates each space. Alexandra reflects on the Sydney Contemporary experience itself: “What I’m most looking forward to this year is a sense of awe… discovering a new work, familiar or entirely new, and feeling that zoom from across the room into the detail of an artwork.” The Polestar 4’s minimalist and refined interior finishes mirrors her attention to the small, impactful details in design.
Alexander&Co’s Jeremy Bull and Tess Glasson in the halls at Sydney Contemporary.
Alexander &Co., led by Principal Jeremy Bull and Marketing Director Tess Glasson, focuses on balancing timelessness and innovation. “We seek to create homes that are timeless… and in terms of trying to innovate, it’s really in the small elements, the details, and the choice of materials,” they explain. Their practice prioritises wellness and sustainability, integrating conscious material choices without compromising elegance or creativity—a philosophy that aligns with Polestar’s commitment to sustainability, which encompasses circularity, climate neutrality, responsible sourcing, and material innovation.
Polestar’s approach includes designing vehicles for longevity, optimising materials to reduce environmental impact, and ensuring ethical sourcing practices. The tactile luxury of Polestar’s interiors—from the soft Nappa leather to the panoramic roof—resonates with their philosophy of understated sophistication, reflecting a shared dedication to circular design.
The Design Drive Series will be rolled out across est living’s platforms, featuring three Instagram reels highlighting each design practice, alongside behind-the-scenes footage. The series celebrates a shared commitment to design excellence, sustainable innovation, and the immersive power of interiors.
The Polestar 4 car, parked outside Sydney Contemporary 2025 at Carriageworks.
The Polestar stand at Sydney Contemporary 2025 showcasing the Polestar 4.
