Liminal Studio

Liminal Studio is an award-winning transdisciplinary design practice founded in 2011 by Elvio Brianese and Peta Heffernan. Based in Hobart and Melbourne, the studio operates across multiple disciplines, including architecture, interior design, furniture, objects, and performance design, with a strong focus on collaboration and innovation. Known for its context-driven and people-focused approach, Liminal creates designs that integrate environmental sensitivity, cultural narratives, and spatial creativity.

Notable projects include the Freycinet Lodge Coastal Pavilions, a series of environmentally sensitive cabins designed to blend seamlessly with the natural landscape, and The Hedberg, a world-class performing arts precinct developed in collaboration with WOHA, which connects Hobart’s historic Theatre Royal with contemporary architecture. Other significant works include the Cascades Female Factory History & Interpretation Centre, the Youth 2 Independence (Y2I) Campbell Street housing project, and the Glenorchy Health Centre, each showcasing the studio’s ability to balance functionality, aesthetics, and community needs.

Liminal Studio has received numerous prestigious accolades, including the 2020 International Architecture Award for the Freycinet Coastal Pavilions, the 2022 AIA National Award for Interior Architecture for The Hedberg, and the 2024 Ray Heffernan Award for Residential Architecture (Multiple Housing) for Y2I. The studio’s projects have also been recognized internationally, featuring in the World Architecture Festival, INDE Awards, and Australian Timber Design Awards, further establishing its reputation for design excellence.

The studio’s design ethos is grounded in the concept of “liminality”—exploring thresholds, embracing possibilities, and pushing the boundaries of conventional architecture. By integrating sustainability, cultural awareness, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, Liminal creates designs that are both innovative and deeply connected to place. Its future vision focuses on redefining architectural experiences, fostering creativity, and shaping spaces that are immersive, meaningful, and environmentally responsive.