With Melbourne tipped to swell to a projected 8 million residents by 2050, this month we were asked 'how can we reinvent, re-purpose and adapt our city to live better together'. These ideas were brought into the physical form as Cultivated was invited to participate in this years 'Open House Melbourne: Collective City' in conjunction with Foolscap Studio and Future Materials co.
Images Supplied by Foolscap Studio and Future Materials co.
Reclaimed Stools Supplied by Cultivated
Located in Foolscap Studio's Collingwood HQ, and curated by Future Materials co, the space was dedicated to connecting the community with the most innovative and sustainable interior products and architectural solutions around. More importantly, all products on display were already in the market, showing that, as a 'Collective City', we already have access to materials that can lead us a more sustainable future.
Cultivated reclaimed Elfin stools and material samples.
As part of the event, Cultivated showcased a circular economy for furniture in action.
A number of reclaimed Elfins stools, originally designed and manufactured by Melbourne based designer, Didier, were supplied by Cultivated for the event.
Salvaged from disposal by a corporate office, the robust and solid timber stools will be refurbished for use on future projects.
Other sustainable product highlights included the Conscious Chair, supplied by Cult Design and manufactured by Mater. Originally designed in 1958 by the renowned Danish furniture designers and architects, Børge Mogensen and Esben Klint, the chair has been reinvisioned using a composite of post industrical plastics and sawdust, which can then be infinitely recycled at the products end of life.
Similarly, Mano Glass Bricks, by Australian design Tom Fereday and manufactured by Eco Outdoor, use up to 70% recycled glass. The recycled glass is then raw cast with a mix of quartz to give it the beautiful texture and lustre that it is known for.
Mater Conscious chair supplied by Cult Design.
Mano Glass Bricks by Tom Fereday and Eco Outdoor.
The event concluded with a panel discussion which included Future Materials representative (Renae Tapley), Cultivated Brand Manager (Joshua Ellis), Cult Design Sustainability Manager (Nicole Johnson) and the director of Circular Design Thinking (Karie Soehardi).
Staying with this years theme of 'Collective City' the discussion centred around whether the design industry was in fact operating as a collective, focussed on a more sustianble future, or if more needed to be done to ensure this. Ideas of improved product circularity, government policy and the sharing of information were all touted as ideas to a more sustainable industry.
Visitors browsed the sustainable materials on show.
The Future Materials panelists. From left: Nicole Johnson, Karie Soehardi, Renae Tapley, Joshua Ellis
