Melbourne Design Week again delivered outstanding design and was the impetus that brought so much talent together. Over the 11-day period, the city came alive with myriad exhibitions, inspiring talks and exquisite installations but underpinning everything was a collegiate atmosphere that strengthened the bonds of connection within the design community.

This was the chance for young and emerging designers to shine and for icons of architecture and design to demonstrate just why they are the best and, as visitors, we all had the opportunity to enjoy the experiences.

While the theme for Melbourne Design Week in 2025 was Design The World You Want, there was a plethora of interpretations that kept things interesting. One stream of consciousness were the many installations and events that explored the realm of wellbeing, mindfulness and sensory re-awakening.

Deep Calm: The Regulating Effect Of Pressure and Touch presented by Sibling Architecture investigated the therapeutic benefits of deep pressure that is often experienced through sensations of being hugged, held or squeezed.

During a 30-minute experience, visitors were asked to lay on custom-designed floor rugs between weighted overstuffed tubes of fabric or sofas that encircled them and to just relax. With a soundscape by Jeanette Litlle, the experience morphed into a hypnotic relax, almost too restful for some as many patrons drifted off to sleep.

Deep Calm was held at the Sibling Architecture Studio and SUKU Home attired helpers shepherded people in and out of the space before and after sessions. The room itself bathed in pink light became cavernous and lying there cossetted by the massive fabric tubes contributed to a feeling of wellbeing on another level.

Related: Jessie French at Aesop for MDW

This exhibition is the outcome of a year-long research project funded by Creative Victoria that investigates approaches to designing for the senses

On the other hand, Quiet Studio by Autex Acoustics, Studiobird and Universal Practice offered a place of interior architectural interest as well as respite and the chance to simply breathe deeply that was truly experiential.

Matthew Bird, principal Studiobird, re-imagined a vacant Collingwood shop into another world using Autex Acoustic’s carbon-neutral acoustic panelling as interior arches that enveloped the space and the visitor. The installation was sensational and the interior form all-encompassing with lighting effects that enhanced the space to great effect.

As a quiet place to recalibrate self, Breathwork sessions were on offer to help declutter the mind and delineate the outside from the inside. Thirty-minute relaxation sessions were conducted by Sammy Prouse, physiotherapist and founding director, Universal Practice and this was a chance to de-stress in the perfect aesthetic.

Extrapolating the theme of wellbeing and focusing on individual contemplation, of note was an exhibition, Being Sensitive, situated in the new workspace of Kennon in the spectacular Harry Seidler building in Spring Street.

Not only is the interior of the studio’s new abode fabulous but add to this a perfectly curated exhibition by the studio and this was an unexpected gem.  

The exhibition included works from Hugh McCarthy, Bolaji Teniola, Studio Kaytar, Dasa Ceramics, kohl Tyler, Maya Collection, Outro and Sundance Studio, eight emerging local artists. The groupings of objects and architectural setting was sublime and evoked a restful atmosphere, located as it was high in the sky overlooking the city.

Other exhibitions around the city such as Soft by Calum Hurley and Andy TT and Seven Minutes In Heaven from Streifen, offered visitors immersive experiences, safe spaces and a chance to explore objects, ponder environments and become more mindful of self.

While many events this MDW were off the chart for excitement and stimulation, these exhibitions offered a deeper and more intimate experience through excellent design and personal contemplation.

Melbourne Design Week is over for another year, however, we look forward to MDW in 2026 and the creativity that will again inspire us all to look to design that makes such a statement on the national, regional and global stages.

Melbourne Design Week is an initiative of the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and is curated and delivered by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and we thank them for investing in design and designers in an event that places Melbourne on the map as a global design city.

Melbourne Design Week
designweek.melbourne

Photography
Peter Bennetts (Quiet Studio)
Christine Francis (Deep Calm)
Jay Saya (Being Sensitive)

Next up: Grimshaw in Venice