What happened when Herman Miller tasked the designers at Woods Bagot to reinterpret the iconic Nelson Bubble Lamp to articulate themes of diversity in design…
May 31st, 2021
In reinterpreting the iconic Herman Miller Bubble Lamp to represent themes of diversity and inclusion, Woods Bagot began with an idea of creating a kaleidoscopic effect using colour, shape and movement, which evolved to include Indigenous starscapes and astronomy.
As a global studio, Woods Bagot is no stranger to diversity and often works across multiple continents and cultures. The Sydney office jumped at the chance to work on this project, seeing Herman Miller as a company that aligns with its values of inclusivity. “They design for the good of humankind,” says Woods Bagot Associate Kate Hogan Gillies. “To participate in that and layer our own contribution onto it was very important to us.”
The studio began with the idea of a kaleidoscope, using colours, shapes and movement to represent many cultures coming together. Adding to this a layer of cut-outs representing stars, the project looked to aspects of indigenous astronomy, where the spaces between stars make shapes. Stars are seen as “an enduring permanence in a time of great uncertainty,” says Kate, referencing the ways in which humans across the world have been united by the shared difficulties of recent events.
“It was a really natural design exercise and for us to try to imbue the layers of meaning that we’ve attempted to was quite a natural part of our process,” she says, adding that Woods Bagot appreciates the level of innovation in Herman Miller’s products. “You know they are on the forefront of the things that are important to us on a global level.”
Find out more about Herman Miller’s Purposes and Values.
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!
As well as considering the materials and processes used to manufacture furniture solutions, companies like Workspace are shifting their focus to the entire lifespan of products.
An exciting new collaboration involving Autex Acoustics, Willie Weston and Lisa Waup colourfully brings First Nations design to high-performance acoustics.
Renowned furniture brand Herman Miller recently hosted a unique and exclusive event – ‘A Taste of Herman Miller’ – in Melbourne on February 15, 2024.
Explore the future of cancer treatment at the Australian Bragg Centre, where a revolutionary design by Woods Bagot integrates cutting-edge proton therapy with patient-centric features, including natural light and adaptive Verosol blinds, creating a space that merges innovation and empathy for a holistic healing journey.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
The latest iteration of Tanatap deploys walls as a key architectural device to create both a cooler microclimate and elevated spatial experience.
Journey alongside Australian designer Ross Didier as he introduces a new chapter in the magical folklore of his iconic FABLE Collection.