Moderne architecture – as an offshoot of the modern movement – has been responsible for some of this country’s most iconic buildings, where flat roofs and curved details reimagine the Bauhaus in a uniquely Australian context. A proponent of the movement, Sir Roy Grounds was an architectural visionary who continues to shape our national design vernacular with a portfolio that covers public, cultural, and residential buildings.

Melbournites will be familiar with his well-known creations, with the National Gallery of Victoria and the adjacent Arts Centre Melbourne both established city landmarks. Head further north and the domed Australian Academy of Science sparkles in the sunlight, while down in Tasmania, Grounds’ octagonal Wrest Point Hotel Casino remains the city’s tallest building.

Lesser known is Grounds’ early work on residential houses, apartments, and furniture design, where his assemblage of studio and one-two bedroom apartments revolutionised architectural design in post-war Australia.

Moderne design reborn

Melbourne design studio K5 Furniture is capturing part of Grounds’ legacy in their newest collection, which is set to launch at the upcoming Melbourne Design Week. The collection,  is a series of pieces based on furniture Grounds designed for apartments completed in the 1930s, 40s, and for his own home in the 50s.

Born from a meeting between K5 Furniture CEO, Erna Walsh, Victoria Grounds (daughter of Sir Roy Grounds) and Tony Lee architectural researcher, the collection embodies classic silhouettes with modern sensibilities, capturing Grounds’ penchant for clean lines, simplicity, and functionality, combined with K5’s commitment to craft and sustainability.

The collection includes a meeting or dining table in two sizes; bench seat, coffee table bench; side table in two sizes;  coffee table with shelf; and ottoman and lounge with backrest and cushions. Each piece locally produced in Grounds’ native Melbourne, using sustainably sourced timber.

Discover the Collection

The launch of the Grounds Collection during Melbourne Design Week signifies how relevant Grounds’ legacy continues to be. In a world of growing urbanisation and mass production, the principles of moderne architecture provide a path towards celebrating the sustainable, the local, and the beautifully made.

As the Grounds Collection makes its debut, it heralds a new chapter in Australian design, where the spirit of innovation meets the timeless elegance of the past. By revisiting Grounds’ design philosophy through a contemporary lens, K5 Furniture pays homage to his enduring influence and enables the wider design community to capture this essence into their own projects and spaces.

Be the first to discover the collection at K5 Furniture during Melbourne Design Week, 2024. The launch will be held on Wednesday 29 May from 5:30pm-9:00pm and will include a panel discussion featuring mid-20th century architectural researcher Tony Lee as well as architect and artist Emma Jackson.

Secure your ticket to the exhibition today.

K5 Furniture
kfive.com.au