Galleria was the new kid on the block in 2013 and it certainly made a big first impression. Alicia Sciberras and Owen Lynch report.

In 2013 the Sydney Indesign experience expanded its offering to include a new centralised exposition hub. Housed at the historic Australian Technology Park in Eveleigh on the CBD’s southern fringe, Galleria proved to be a creative powerhouse for three full days of design dialogue, exhibitions and awards.

Archilux 

Classique / Habitus Pavilion

As a foil to the existing showroom circuit, the Galleria concept allowed for exhibitors without their own showroom space to partake in the Sydney Indesign program. Emerging designers sat alongside established industry players to present their brands, services and products in a refreshing and creative setting.

Basil Bangs / Big Ass Fans 

Evie Group

Hand-in-hand with the launch of Galleria, the inaugural WorkLife seminar debuted at Sydney Indesign in 2013.

Formula Interiors

James Richardson / Mafi Floors

A ticketed, day-long platform for design discourse curated by Publisher Raj Nandan and Editorial Director Paul McGillick to provoke and engage on a range of topics that affect how we work and how we design for the workplace.

Herman Miller / Hughes Commercial Furniture 

How We Create

Within the vast Galleria space, the team at Geyer, Europanel and Polytec envisaged and delivered the Indesign Podium, a phenomenal pop-up auditorium befitting this bold, new venture.

Indesign Podium

Working in collaboration with the likes of Walter Knoll, KE-ZU, Wilkhahn, Bolon, Pedrali and Prototype  the creative team constructed a contemporary free-standing pavilion that housed up to 200 people in auditorium mode.

WorkLife Discussion Series

Tappeti Rugs

In tandem, Indesign’s publication stable mate, Habitus Magazine, took shape in the form of the 300sqm Habitus Pavilion – a rambling construction of timber decks, twenty-foot living trees, planted gardens, hills hoists displaying contributor artworks and displays of garden furniture.

Designed to serve as a chill-out space, the pavilion boasted its own bar and also played host to “The Sustainable Asian House” book launch with the ABC’s Quentin Dempster.

Habitus Pavilion Book Launch 

Assuming an anti-trade show position from the outset, the Galleria concept sought to buck the stagnant nature of conventional trade-shows but engaging with each exhibitor throughout planning and development to ensure all spaces were engaging and creative.

Design by Them / District 246

Warwick 

Doing away with a grid floorplan and through hosting after hour events and launches, the space came alive, offering visitors and exhibitors a unique opportunity to participate in the evolving Australian design story.

Pepo Botanic Design / Vegie Patch Food Truck 

Stormtech

Sydney Indesign

sydneyindesign.com.au

Images © John Doherty, Fiona Susanto, Rollo Hardy