Author talk—Bush Modern
Join authors Jessica Lillico and Sean Fennessy for a talk on their new book, Bush Modern, at Stefanino Panino e Vino in Melbourne.
Join us at Stefanino Panino e Vino to celebrate the launch of Bush Modern—a new book by writer/designer Jessica Lillico and photographer Sean Fennessy that celebrates a little known chapter of Australian architecture—tactile, grounded and quietly radical.
Set within the bush landscapes of Melbourne’s north-east, it showcases homes that blend modernist-influenced design with raw materiality and a deep consideration of place—a tradition that continues to inspire architects today.
For this event, Jess and Sean will be joined in conversation by architects Adriana Hanna and Brad Mitchell, whose projects—the Fisher House in Warrandyte and Monty Sibbel in Montmorency—feature in the book. Together, they’ll discuss what it means to sensitively update these idiosyncratic homes: how to bring light, flow and contemporary comfort to houses of strong original character, while honouring the ethos that shaped them.
Adriana, formerly of Kennedy Nolan, led the considered renovation of the authors’ own 1969 Alistair Knox home. Brad, co-founder of Nüüd Studio, has reimagined his own home, Monty Sibbel—a 1975 Sibbel Builders design—with warmth and restraint.
This discussion will explore how the ideals of the Bush Modern era—creativity, resourcefulness and a deep respect for place—can continue to guide how we live and build today.
When: 6pm Thursday 20 November 2025
Where: Stefanino Panino, 4/30 Perry Street, Collingwood (Collingwood Yards)
Tickets: CLICK HERE
$11 - Includes a glass of wine or non-alc drink on arrival, plus an $11 discount from any book purchases
OR
$85- Entry includes a copy of the book, ready to collect on the night, and a glass of wine/non-alc drink on arrival
About the speakers
Jessica Lillico and Sean Fennessy are the co-creators of Bush Modern. Jessica is a creative director, interior stylist and first-time author. Sean is a photographer known for his warm, minimal style and unique sense of observation. The couple lives in Warrandyte, on the outskirts of Melbourne, in a 1960s house designed by Alistair Knox, which they renovated in 2020.
Adriana Hanna, principal of AHO and former Director of Kennedy Nolan, is an architect who has worked on award-winning residential, hospitality, commercial, and retail projects in Australia. Her experience spans almost two decades and is characterised by honesty, instinct, and spatial intimacy, with each project reflecting its client and context.
Brad Mitchell is an architect and co-director of Nuud Studio, an architecture and interior practice designing built environments and objects guide by narrative. Their projects celebrate the stories of the people they work with, and those uncovered from intimate studies of place and history. They are committed to creating projects that are embedded in landscape and contribute to a deeper understanding of Australia’s evolving identity.