The macadamia nut, usually enjoyed for its sweet flesh, is given new life by product designer Marc Harrison and takes to New York.
November 5th, 2008
In 2004, product designer Marc Harrison took an iconic Australian food and turned it into a design innovation: Husque. Using the ground-up shells of the macadamia nut, he created a material for food wares that is not only beautiful, but also sustainable and unique.
“[It] isn’t homogenised design that could have been designed anywhere,” Harrison says. “Detail makes a big difference.”
The shells of the nut, usually discarded, are now recycled – creating unique products such as bowls, serving platters and vases.
Despite initial scepticism that his design would make it internationally, after only a couple of years Husque has appeared in exhibitions worldwide – including the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, and now the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
“MoMA has always been the ‘holy grail’, ever since I heard of my idols of Australian design brands like Robert Foster’s FINK, and Dinosaur Designs starring there,” he says. “I never imagined that it would happen to Husque.”
With 16 years of experience under his belt, Harrison believes the key for international success is simple: have products that are truly unique, with good marketing tactics.
“My strategy has always been to not take every opportunity that comes along, and choose wisely,” he says.
Husque
husque.com
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!
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
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.
Writer Andrew P Street wants to build the social distancing house of the future!
Project Team: Andrew Owens, Gerard Page, Nick Kough Square Metres: 950m2 Location: Turramurra Avenue, Turramurra, NSW Expected completion date: Dec 2010 From the Architects: “This 27 unit development makes the most of a fairly constrained site. Significant set backs from the street dictated the building be consolidated towards the South West corner of the site […]
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Extrapolating the typology of farmhouse architecture, Cameron Anderson Architects (CAARCH) has drawn on the local architecture of Mudgee in both form and materiality to deliver a surprising suite of buildings.
The AIA Alta Wellness Haven offers the complete package for health and wellbeing away from the busy city life in Hong Kong and does it through a stellar interior design.