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Furnitex: Vividly Designed

Furnitex 2009 proved that the Australian furniture and furnishings industry is stronger than ever, as over 14,200 visitors from Australia and overseas were recorded. Staged from July 16-19, 2009 at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, it also showcased Australia’s next wave of design talent at the VIVID – Vibrant Visions in Design competition.

The 2009 VIVID design competition displayed over 50 outstanding designs from new and emerging designers in Student, Commercial, Concept and Green award categories.

“The entries for this year’s VIVID awards were of outstanding calibre, proving that adversity certainly brings forth opportunity and innovation. The winning entries were all skilfully finished, developed from innovative materials and showed exceptional attention to detail,” said Curator Uli Hasel.

Concept Category

Winner:
Prototype Chair
By Tim Coffey

Prototype – the concept expressed in this chair is that movement improves our health; here achieved by using flexible wands. Poplar, Eucalyptus.

Commercial Category

Shortlisted:
CBLOCKS Modular Furniture
By Andrew Bhaskar and Alex Yashin, Cibela Pty Ltd

Tetris based modular furniture for storage, utility, outdoors and indoor use. Melamine, timber veneer, raw MDF, Modwood.

Green Award Category

Shortlisted:
Flat Jack Bookcase
By Ross Gardam, Spaceleft

Flat Jack – a cardboard bookcase? Flat Jack is an environmentally friendly short-term storage solution. It is made from 97 percent post consumer paper waste and one Flat Jack utilises 94 percent of a single sheet of material. Lightweight, easy to transport, 100 percent recyclable. Cardboard.

Student Category

Shortlisted:
VOID Coffee Table
By Beau Comelli, RMIT

VOID is a sustainable coffee table featuring a magazine shelf and two storage compartments. It is 100 percent recyclable. Hoop Pine Ply,

Student Category

Shortlisted:
Australis – Proto Chair
By Ross Antartis Central TAFE

Australis – Proto is a fusion of Avant Garde design and Art. MDF, Acrylic, steel.

Concept Category

Shortlisted:
SELINA Stool
By Jensen Ho

Selina Stool is made from laminated solid timber to give it strength and contrast. Knockdown design makes flat-pack possible. Silky smooth natural oil and wax finish. Radiata Pine, Victorian Ash, Rosewood.

Commercial Category

Winner:
Lofoten Lounger
By Corey Baker, Riva Limited Edition Furniture

Lofoten Lounger features laminated counter-tension supports to create a strong yet visually lightweight, striking sculptural lounger. Bamboo, stainless steel, natural oils.

Green Award Category

Winner:
Flip ‘N’ Latch
By Joanna Butler

Flip ‘N’ Latch is inspired by Jacob’s Ladder allowing total user customisation and encouraging playful interaction through folding, flipping and latching. Plantation timber, Enviro Foam, Wool. Acclaimed for its high level of research sourcing sustainable materials.

Green Award Category

Shortlisted:
HEX Chair
By Damien Hipwell Studio Hip

Hex Chair is a comfortable easy chair with a precision 4-way mitre for great strength and intriguing aesthetics. Bamboo, stainless steel, environmental finish.

Student Category

Winner:
Aura Stool
By Kieran Choy, UTS

Aura Stool is a piece of seating designed to compliment the existing Aura Coffee Table. It has been designed for rotational moulding. Prototype. Urethane foam and fibreglass resin.

Student Category

Shortlisted:
Marine Coffee Table
By Robert Figura, Central TAFE

Marine Coffee Table amazes with its unique organic shape, which allows for storage of various items; table has bevelled glass top. Plywood, glass.