Hemispheres by Bankston and CIVILIAN

Considered geometries, finishes and functions enable Hemispheres, a 10-piece collection of architectural hardware from Bankston and CIVILIAN, to champion design languages previously unexpressed.

Defined by its originality, Hemispheres reflects the ethos of the design-driven Australian brand, Bankston. Bankston is inspired not only to create unique products that drive forward design dialogue, but also to highlight the leading minds in architectural hardware through collaboration. With CIVILIAN, Bankston shares a passion for composition and quality materials, considered in the spirit of experimentation.

The collection’s name, Hemispheres, references both the central dome motif within the range and the connection between two geographically disparate collaborators.

For its part, the Brooklyn-based design studio fosters a sense of refined playfulness that sees materials, colours and textures seamlessly integrated. Led by Nicko Elliott and Ksenia Kagner, CIVILIAN’s multidisciplinary work includes such lauded projects as Sandbox Films in New York and Bard College Berlin Residences. The collection’s name, Hemispheres, references both the central dome motif within the range and the connection between two geographically disparate collaborators. A symbol of partnership, the name implies a design ethos that crosses boundaries.

The collaboration has a serendipitous origin story: Bankston co-founders Emily and Steve Bradley met Elliott and Kagner in Mexico 10 years ago, where they “really hit it off and exchanged details. Around eight years later, Nicko sent through a request to use our products and from there the relationship grew,” Steve recalls. “We then decided to collaborate with them – and here we are.”

Each element is available in walnut, stone and one of three colours of forged brass: chrome, satin nickel and bone.

Many design styles are echoed by the collection of knobs, levers, pulls and door straps. While nods to Art Deco, machine aesthetics, organic architecture and industrial prefabrication ensure flexible expressions, interchangeable components allow items to be materially adjusted to suit any space. Each element is available in walnut, stone and one of three colours of forged brass: chrome, satin nickel and bone. Natural variations in wood and marble grain reinforce the concept of embracing visual nuance and, for practical purposes, a sliding door pull and privacy turn are included.

“One of the great things about this collection,” says Emily, “is that there are so many variables, depending on what textures and colour palettes are chosen. It can really work in a lot of different environments.”

“One of the great things about this collection is that there are so many variables, depending on what textures and colour palettes are chosen.”

Sourced from locations in the USA, Australia and Asia, the components for Hemispheres are quality checked, assembled and packaged in the Bankston workshop in Australia. Balancing historic references with a distinctly modern character, Hemispheres represents an evolution in architectural hardware. Bankston and CIVILIAN’s collaboration proves that style and function can combine to suit individual tastes, making any creative outcome possible.

Hardware by Southern Design Group, Bankston and CIVILIAN.