In Conversation with Fayrose Iali

Founder & Creative Director | ALAI Architecture + Interiors

By Alessia Mills

Some people design homes. Others design experiences. Then there are the rare few who understand that the spaces we inhabit quietly shape the way we live, connect and feel. Fayrose Iali belongs firmly in the latter.

As the founder and creative director of ALAI Architecture + Interiors, Fayrose has built a reputation for creating homes that are as emotionally resonant as they are architecturally refined. Her work is characterised by timeless materials, thoughtful restraint and a deep understanding that luxury is never about excess - it's about intention.

Stepping into one of her projects, or indeed into her own world, feels much like the woman herself. Warm, elegant and effortlessly composed, there's an unmistakable sense of calm beneath the ambition. She speaks about architecture with the conviction of someone who has dedicated more than two decades to the craft, yet with the curiosity of someone who still finds joy in the smallest design details.

On the morning we meet, Fayrose welcomes us into a softly lit interior that could easily be mistaken for one of her signature projects. Wrapped in rich earth tones, a warm cup in hand and framed by sculptural arches, natural stone and muted textures, she seems perfectly at home within the very aesthetic that has become synonymous with the ALAI brand. It isn't staged or performative; it's simply an extension of who she is.

Conversation quickly moves beyond floor plans and finishes. We talk about motherhood, faith, resilience, fashion, travel and the responsibility that comes with designing homes where life's most important moments unfold. For Fayrose, architecture has never been just about buildings. It's about creating places that support families, strengthen communities and leave people feeling better than when they arrived.

As ALAI continues to grow, so too does her vision, one that extends far beyond beautiful residences. From community-led projects and affordable housing to mentoring the next generation of designers, Fayrose is driven by a belief that good design should be both aspirational and accessible.

This is the story of a woman redefining what it means to lead a design practice: one where form, function and feeling are not simply a tagline, but a philosophy for life.

1. Tell us about yourself. Who is Fayrose outside of architecture?

People are always surprised when I tell them architecture isn't actually my whole personality... although it's pretty close!

I'm a mum first. My two children keep me grounded, humble and permanently on my toes. They're my biggest motivation and honestly the reason I've worked so hard over the years. Outside of work, I love travelling, discovering beautiful spaces, good coffee, long conversations and spending time with family. I'm Lebanese, Muslim and incredibly proud of my culture - it has shaped the way I see hospitality, generosity and community.

I also have a terrible habit of redesigning every home, café, and office I walk into. My friends have accepted that no building is safe around me. And by the same token, I absorb the beauty of well designed places, finding inspiration in the old and new.

2. ALAI has a very distinctive aesthetic. Where does your inspiration come from?

Everything.

Nature. History. Fashion. Travel. Different cultures. Even the way light falls across a wall.

I'm drawn to timeless materials: natural stone, textured plaster, timber, bronze, soft fabrics and earthy colours. I love spaces that feel calm without being boring and luxurious without trying too hard.

Fashion has always influenced the way I design. A beautifully tailored outfit has balance, proportion and confidence - the exact same principles apply to architecture.

At ALAI, we design around three words: Form. Function. Feeling.

Because a beautiful building isn't enough. It has to make people feel something.

3. Friends describe you as...?

Driven.

Actually... probably stubborn.

Okay... definitely stubborn.

I set ridiculously high standards for myself and sometimes forget that sleep is also an important life requirement.

But I'd also like to think I'm loyal, compassionate and someone who genuinely wants people around me to succeed. I love mentoring, sharing knowledge and helping clients make good decisions.

My friends also know that if we're walking together, I may suddenly stop mid-conversation because I've spotted an amazing staircase or a beautiful shadow line on a building.

Occupational hazard.

4. How would you describe your personal style?

Classic with a little edge.

Neutral colours are my safe place - black, white, beige, olive and chocolate. Give me structured tailoring, beautiful fabrics and good shoes and I'm happy.

I don't really follow trends. I prefer pieces that last, just like I prefer architecture that still feels relevant twenty years from now.

I think your environment and the way you present yourself tell a story before you even speak. There's something powerful about quiet confidence.

5. Where do you see ALAI Architecture + Interiors in the future?

The dream is much bigger than designing beautiful homes.

I want ALAI to become one of Australia's most respected design studios - known not just for aesthetics but for creating meaningful places that improve people's lives.

I'd love to expand nationally and internationally, particularly throughout the Middle East, while continuing to grow our work in residential, hospitality and community projects.

Long term, I see ALAI becoming a multidisciplinary practice combining architecture, interiors, research, education and property development.

Ultimately, I want people to recognise an ALAI project before they even see the logo.

6. If money wasn't a factor, what projects would you choose to work on?

Community projects.

Affordable housing.

Women's refuges.

Schools.

Community centres.

Places that genuinely change people's lives.

Architecture has an incredible ability to influence wellbeing, dignity and opportunity. I think designers have a responsibility to use those skills for more than just luxury homes.

One of my biggest goals is creating housing and community spaces that are beautiful, sustainable and accessible - not because they're expensive, but because everyone deserves good design.

I'd also love to mentor more young women entering architecture and help create clearer pathways into the profession.

7. Running a business and raising a family can't be easy. How do you manage it all?

Who's saying I manage it?

Some days I'm winning awards in my own head.

Other days I'm reheating the same coffee three times and wondering why I walked into a room.

The reality is there's no perfect balance. Sometimes work needs more of me. Sometimes my family does.

I've learnt to stop chasing perfection and instead focus on being present wherever I am.

Being a mother has actually made me a better designer. It's taught me patience, empathy and how important thoughtful spaces are for everyday family life.

8. What's one thing you'd like people to remember about you and ALAI?

That we genuinely cared.

Of course we want to design beautiful buildings, but that's only part of the story.

I want every client to feel heard. Every project to solve a real problem. Every space to improve someone's daily life.

Success, to me, isn't measured only by awards or growth—it's measured by impact.

If years from now people say, "Working with ALAI made our lives easier, happier and better," then I'll know we've done our job.

Because great architecture isn't just about buildings.

It's about people.

Interview with Fayrose Iali

In her Happy Place, Sydney

May 2026