Steve and Emily Bradley are the husband-and-wife team behind Bankston Architectural and Southern Design Group, where they serve as Co-CEOs, driving innovation and sustainability within the architectural hardware industry. With a background spanning environmental science, urban planning and design, Steve leads product innovation and creative direction, drawing inspiration from architecture, nature and global travel. A passionate advocate for sustainability, he integrates eco-conscious practices into every facet of the business.
Emily, an astute leader with degrees in law, social science and environmental science, brings a powerful blend of legal, environmental and strategic expertise. Her early exposure to showrooms and her father’s entrepreneurial spirit ignited her passion for design and business. Together, Steve and Emily are devoted parents and adventurous spirits who share a love for art, architecture, music and the outdoors, values that continue to inspire their work and shape the future of their industry. Meet the duo behind the details in today’s Maker Monday.
Crafted in collaboration with Edition Office, this series brings sculptural form and minimalist precision to architectural hardware, elevating the everyday with quiet confidence.
Andrew Joseph: How do you approach a new design project/collection?
Steve Bradley: Emily and I view each new project as an opportunity to challenge conventions and reimagine what architectural hardware can be. Our approach begins with collaboration — partnering with design visionaries to test 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.
Beyond aesthetics, we consider hardware within a broader design narrative, ensuring it responds to both the collaborator’s vision and the needs of the end user. By engaging in meaningful dialogue with our partners, we create pieces that feel intentional and essential, rather than just an afterthought.
Every collection is shaped by trust, curiosity and a shared vision of testing the boundaries of the category — allowing hardware to seamlessly integrate into its surroundings while inspiring new ways to experience space.
AJ: What is the most challenging project/collection you’ve worked on and how did you overcome it?
SB + EB: One of our most challenging collections was Hemispheres, our collaboration with Civilian. It required rethinking conventional manufacturing techniques as we introduced sculptural geometries and intricate material combinations. The design demanded an extremely high level of precision in order to achieve Ksenia Kagner and Nicko Elliott’s vision of natural materials intersecting seamlessly with machined elements. This meeting of organic and manufactured elements pushed us to re-engineer our handle mechanics from the ground up, ensuring both a seamless aesthetic and functional integrity. We feel the result was a collection that redefined architectural hardware through form, materiality and adaptability.
With every detail designed in Australia and crafted for longevity, this handle embodies Bankston’s philosophy: architectural hardware should be as enduring and intentional as the spaces it inhabits.
AJ: Can you describe a project/collection that you’re particularly proud of?
SB + EB: We take pride in all our collections as each represents a unique exploration of form, materiality and craftsmanship. However, Hemispheres holds a special place for us, as it was quite literally co-produced across two hemispheres. This collaboration with Civilian not only pushed the boundaries of hardware design through bold geometries and intricate material combinations but also embodied a truly global creative exchange. The collection exemplifies how architectural hardware can transform a space beyond its functional purpose, merging diverse influences into a cohesive, innovative design.
AJ: What is your favorite place to find inspiration?
SB + EB: Inspiration for us comes not only from the creative minds we collaborate with — architects, designers and visionaries who push boundaries — but also from a diverse range of artistic and design influences. Rather than being driven by passing trends or confined to a specific genre, we embrace a broad spectrum of references that inform our work. Sometimes, it’s the big ideas that spark creativity, but more often, it’s the small, obscure details — a junction in a structure, the curve of a form or the scale of an object — that ignite a concept.
AJ: What is your favorite aspect of your job?
SB + EB: The intersection of collaboration and craftsmanship. Being able to work with some of the most forward-thinking architects and designers, while also engaging in hands-on material and manufacturing exploration, is deeply rewarding. There’s something special about seeing an idea evolve from a concept sketch into a tactile, functional piece that will live within architectural spaces for years to come.
In partnership with Sans-Arc Studio, this series blends playful curves with tactile finishes, bringing a warm, expressive edge to architectural hardware.
AJ: How do you balance functionality and aesthetics in your designs?
SB + EB: We view hardware as both a practical necessity and an integral part of the design narrative. Every piece must perform seamlessly — ergonomically, mechanically and structurally — while also enhancing the emotional and visual experience of a space. This means perfecting every detail, from the weight of a handle to the texture of a finish. Our goal is to create objects that are intuitive to use, yet striking enough to invite a moment of pause and appreciation.
AJ: What is your favorite design-related quote?
SB + EB: “The details are not the details. They make the design.” — Charles Eames
AJ: What’s a new hobby/skill that you have learned recently?
SB + EB: Between running a business and raising a young family, our time for new hobbies is limited. However, we’re both passionate about prioritizing our health through good food, regular exercise and activities that take us beyond the city and into nature. Whether it’s a hike, a weekend escape or simply finding new ways to stay active, we always look for moments that recharge and inspire us.
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