Student team topples reigning champions.
July 28th, 2009
Energy, humour and a (perhaps unhealthy?) dose of mayhem accompanied this year’s Iron Designer event on Friday night at Federation Square BMW Edge – one of the closing events of State of Design, Melbourne.
Basing its formula on the kitsch Japanese TV show Iron Chef, the formula involves design teams of three who have a set amount of time to respond to three random words and create something out of paper, sticky tape, paint and boxes.
Eight teams went head to head in two rounds of four, with each winning team going into a finals round with the winners of last year’s event.
Memorable teams included Maddison Design (who were finalists thanks to their cardboard plane propelled on a piece of string over the heads of the audience), Phooey architects (whose creation was forgettable in comparison to their assault in paint on judge Andrew MacKenzie) and winners Monash University (who reminded the audience at regular intervals that they are only honours students and don’t have jobs yet).
There was a bald head painted blue to represent the earth, Svetlana, the Russian damsel who sells her kisses, plus green vomit, aliens from outer space, exploding virgins and much much more.
MC Tony Wilson helped shape the disorder, along with comments from the judges David Berman, Barry Barton, Andrew Mackenzie and Esther Anatolitis.
But the highlight of the lot was the introductory videos for each team which listed their favourite hero, supervillain, historical event and more – and the videos to introduce each key word. Put together by Studio Binocular, these were fast, funny and set the pace for the evening. Properly controlled chaos can sometimes be the best entertainment.
Words: Penny Craswell
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
Suitable for applications ranging from schools and retail outlets to computer rooms and X-ray suites, Palettone comes in two varieties and a choice of more than fifty colours.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
The beauty and craftsmanship of the traditional sandstock brick is revisited in the Masters collection from PGH.
Waterloo: an intimate precinct for the latest in design
Alba Thermal Springs and Spa is all fire and ice: essential yet monumental, discrete yet indulgent. The project has been shortlisted at this year’s INDE.Awards in The Health and Wellbeing Space category – the wellness journey is yours for the taking.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Esteemed international practice OMA has completed AIR in Singapore, a genre-straddling project defined by openness and an emphasis on waste.
Focusing on facade and green design, this pair of office blocks is designed to meet the most contemporary demands of workplace design.