Unlike many vast suburbs, Richmond has a distinct and exciting character. Over the past few years, it has come alive as Melbourne’s busiest design hub, and it will be one of three design precincts (alongside Fitzroy/Collingwood and Melbourne CBD) activated by this year’s Melbourne Indesign, the commercial design event formerly named Saturday in Design.

Richmond has seen new brands popping up, existing brands migrating here from elsewhere, and its original Richmond-based design brands growing stronger and expanding. From the main street star attractions to the more hidden design gems, Richmond’s streets are alive with a design spirit that must be explored.

A RICHMOND INCEPTION: THE PROJECT INSTALLATIONS 

As you may know, one of Melbourne Indesign’s most exciting features is an installation series named The Project. The theme for this year’s installations is ‘Inception’. Many of Melbourne Indesign’s Richmond Exhibitors teamed up with architecture, design or other creative studios to respond to this.

See ‘Cabinets of Curiosity’ and the 1606 journey of the Dutch ship ‘Duyfken’ as you voyage through the Zuster showroom. Award-winning multidisciplinary Nexus Designs and creative interior and design studio Eades&Bergman have taken inspiration from Zuster’s Dutch-Australian heritage to create these parallel visual narratives.

On Church Street, award-winning British designer Thomas Coward and interior design studio/creative practice Studio You Me are working with Artedomus on Project installations.

 Just down the road, Coco Republic will have the fruits of an Inception-themed collaboration activating their showroom, as well as Arthur G, who’ve collaborated with international firm Bruce Henderson Architects. Eastern Commercial Furniture (ECF) have begun concepting their Inception installation with Melbourne architectural firm Baldasso Cortese – more to be revealed in time!

HIGH-END COMMERCIAL FURNITURE

During Melbourne Indesign, the Richmond Design Precinct will play host to many of the world’s best commercial brands. On Church Street, you’ll find one of the largest collections of contemporary design brands in the Asia Pacific region at Space Furniture, and Italy’s finest kitchens, wardrobes, furniture and wall systems are over at Poliform.

Also on Cubitt Street, we have Chairbiz, where you’ll see contemporary commercial furniture from Europe’s finest manufacturers.

Our Melbourne Editor, Alice Blackwood gives us the scoop:
A STRONG FINISH

AUSSIES DO IT BETTER 

See Australian designers creating world-class products at Arthur G, Articolo, Designer Rugs, Philip Stokes Studio Glass (PSSG) and Zuster.

A WORLD TOUR VIA GREATEST DESIGN BRANDS

As well as the strong local presence, during Melbourne Indesign Richmond Design Precinct will play host to some of the world’s most exciting design brands. See Jonathan Adler and more at Coco Republic, a novel contemporary take on British heritage classics at Timothy Oulton, and from across the Atlantic, modern love from the Minneapolitan Blu Dot designers.

See Pad Furniture’s newly acquired stable of prestigious European brands, including Hulsta, Rolf Benz, Bonaldo and Valentini Living Space. Get to know the Swiss market leader for household appliances, V-Zug, the world’s first quartz surfaces at Cosentino, and Tongue n Groove’s unrivalled engineered timber, for lovers of fine oak.

Melbourne Indesign is free to attend but registration is essential. Click here to register now.

Melbourne Indesign
22-23 August

For more coverage of Melbourne Indesign 2014 visit: indesignlive.com/category/articles/in-review/mid-2014

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