Southern Design Group has established itself as one of Australia’s leading suppliers of architectural hardware; building an impressive, collaborative portfolio over the past forty years that extends beyond Australian shores.
The Adelaide-based company merges craftsmanship with innovation to offer a distinctive portfolio of brands— from Bankston’s architecturally curated aesthetics to Iver’s modern, accessible style and TradCo’s restoration-inspired designs.
Each brand under the Southern Design Group umbrella reflects its core values of respect, responsibility, adaptability, and passion. This commitment is highlighted across their joinery and door hardware collections, where refined precision and premium materials create spaces that elegantly balance beauty with function.
est spoke with Co-Chief Executive Officers and husband-and-wife duo; Emily and Steve Bradley to explore the company’s family roots, the diversity of their brands, and their bespoke creative process.
Produced in partnership with Southern Design Group
"We view architectural hardware not just as a functional necessity, but as an integral design element that belongs alongside other design objects."
– SSOUTHERN DESIGN GROUP CO-CEO, EMILY BRADLEY
Can you walk us through your typical collaborative process? How do these partnerships influence the design and functionality of your hardware collections?
Steve Bradley: Collaboration is central to Bankston’s design philosophy. We view the relationship between hardware and architecture as an opportunity to transform functional objects into thoughtfully reimagined design elements. Partnering with architects and interior designers allows us to push the boundaries of both form and function. From initial sketches and 3D models to prototypes, we work closely with our collaborators to ensure each piece meets both aesthetic and practical requirements. Our goal is to create hardware that not only integrates seamlessly into its environment but also challenges conventions, elevating the overall design and inspiring new ways to experience space.
as a case study example, the Hemispheres collection, our latest collaboration with Civilian for Bankston, embodies our approach to design by pushing the boundaries of what architectural hardware can be. At its core, the collection explores the intersection of organic forms and machine aesthetics, drawing inspiration from the sculptural works of Takenobu Igarashi. This collaboration blends Civilian’s visionary design with our commitment to innovation and craftsmanship.
What evolving design movements in the architecture and design industry are influencing hardware design today, and how is Southern Design Group responding to them?
Emily Bradley: At Bankston, we view architectural hardware as more than just a functional necessity—it is an integral design element that stands alongside other design objects. We believe hardware should not only serve a practical purpose but also enhance the aesthetic and emotional experience of a space. Our pieces are crafted to draw attention and stand as design statements in their own right.
Rather than following trends or adhering to specific genres, our designs reflect the unique vision of our collaborators. Rooted in creativity, they push boundaries while remaining thoughtful and considered. We focus on creating timeless pieces that seamlessly blend form, function, and artistry in a bold, original way.
The architectural hardware industry is evolving, with more design-driven, experimental details emerging, similar to the shifts we’ve seen in lighting and tapware. Hardware is increasingly recognised as a canvas for creative expression, and at Bankston, we embrace this transformation. Each collection we create explores new materials, finishes, and concepts, rethinking the role of hardware and pushing its potential to elevate and transform the spaces it inhabits.
Can you take us back to the beginning in Adelaide? What sparked the creation of Southern Design Group and Bankston and what inspired its vision from the start?
Steve Bradley: The story of Southern Design Group, the umbrella company encompassing three distinctive brands, began in 1982 when Emily’s father established the business. By 2015, Emily and I joined the family enterprise, bringing a contemporary vision to its proud heritage.
In 2019, we launched Bankston—a brand born from a desire to innovate. While honouring the legacy of Southern Design Group, Bankston was founded to reimagine the architectural hardware landscape. Emily and I sought to create a collaborative, design-led brand that would challenge conventions and redefine architecture hardware nearly four decades after its inception.
With fresh eyes, Emily and I recognised a need for genuine design innovation in a field often filled with reinterpretations of familiar ideas. Bankston was conceived as a brand that was not just market-driven but design-led—something that would disrupt the industry and bring a new level of creativity and quality to architectural hardware. We envisioned products that would sit proudly alongside design objects, offering something unique and purposeful to the design landscape.
What qualities make Southern Design Group’s products compelling for residential design and architecture?
Emily Bradley: The Bankston brand’s mission is to elevate the hardware category globally, transforming door hardware from a purely functional element into a meaningful part of a space’s overall design. Steve and I see a unique opportunity to create hardware that not only serves its purpose but also makes a lasting design statement.
Our hardware is purpose-driven, reflecting our commitment to both social and environmental responsibility, alongside an unwavering dedication to exceptional design. We believe the category has untapped potential to offer pieces that are not just functional but also visually striking, whether subtle or bold. The right hardware, in our view, should inspire people to pause and appreciate the space they occupy. By partnering with leading architects and designers, Bankston creates collections that marry beauty and function. Each piece is meticulously crafted as part of carefully curated collections, ensuring that every product exemplifies the highest standards of craftsmanship and design excellence.
Emily and Steve Bradley of Southern Design Group.