25 November 2011

Medal of Honour for Richard Munao

Corporate Culture founder Richard Munao was recently awarded His Royal Highness Prince Henrik's Medal of Honour for his contribution to promoting Danish design. Marg Hearn has the story.

Richard Munao's cabinet making background drew him to the craftsmanship and design ethos of Danish designed products and became the catalyst for founding Corporate Culture in 1997.

Kick-starting with brands like Erik Jorgensen and Fritz Hansen, "we spoke the same design language," Munao says of his representation of high quality original furniture and homewares that's grown to 17 Danish brands in addition to synergistic product from all corners of the globe.

"You can feel the quality and see the quality as you go through the Danish factories, aesthetically it's the simple clean lines that appeal."

In a milestone largely attributed to Munao and his Corporate Culture team, Australia is the largest market in Southeast Asia for Fritz Hansen.

It was a justly proud but humble Munao who accepted The Diploma of the Danish Export Association, and His Royal Highness Prince Henrik's Medal of Honour, at Corporate Culture's Melbourne Showroom on Wednesday 23 November.

Jacob Holm, President and CEO of Fritz Hansen since 1998, was also in attendance and says "Mr Munao and his team received the award not only because of their work in promoting and distributing Danish brands but also putting forward the values and the thinking behind Danish design - that tradition of handicraft and of form following function."

Reflecting on why the Australian market has embraced Danish design, Munao believes that sits in the practical applicability for most Danish products to suit any Australian architectural context, coupled with the "built to last" environmentally responsible driven design.

Not to be underestimated are the genuine relationships forged, the capacity for our design fraternity to engage in down to earth conversation directly with visiting Danish partners.

Testament was the official opening of the Corporate Culture Melbourne Showroom, now also dubbed "our Danish house" by none other than the Danish royal couple who called by to the delight of the 150 design industry guests as part of their 2011 trade tour.