NEWNEW: An Innovation Journey in Colour + Materials
A temporary structure with a light footprint both literally and metaphorically, the NEWNEW pavilion is a sustainable curation right from the ground up. Beginning with a 9 x 6m footprint of flooring from recycled showroom plinths, we experimented with a new Australian made, instant dry, zero VOC hardwax oil coating tinted with a soft white pigment. The geometric timber structure utilises an exciting local product innovation that diverts trees destined for pulping and re-engineers them into exquisite hardwoods. We chose to work with a beautiful pink White Gum that had both the structural integrity and aesthetic qualities required for our intention.
Designed in modules for disassembly and re-use the structural components pack onto only eight pallets enabling a single delivery.
The installation is clad in a locally made, carbon neutral, fluted board – a quarter of which is 100% recycled and the remainder committed to re-use as furniture packing by Cultivated until it is returned to the supplier at end of life for re-processing and re-use.
Every inclusion has been interrogated for its circular or sustainable integrity which lead us to embrace the latest in signage innovations for branding the installation. OM Signage Film is entirely non-petrochemical made in Melbourne with algae-derived polymers and locally sourced mineral pigments and is designed to do no harm offering a responsible alternative to PVC vinyl.
The collaboration has sparked innovation in our work, offering sustainable colour possibilities that push us beyond conventional approaches and enrich our design practice with fresh, nature-driven inspiration.
Leading both the creative and curatorial process, our team selected pieces from authentic designer furniture restorer Cultivated’s collection of over 300 pallets of rescued commercial furniture. Combining these with ethically sourced and industry surplus textiles, collaborating with local artisans and championing circular thinking across every detail, the furniture that takes on new life while maintaining its distinct design integrity.
The installation features domestic-scale rooms spaces – dining, study and lounge – to demonstrate real-world residential applications. Soft fabric panels naturally dyed using native flora by textile artist Heather Thomas divide the spaces, creating an intimate environment that reinforces a sense of home over showroom. Even the structural timbers are finished in a locally produced, non-toxic product with custom colour pigments.
Heather provided a unique opportunity for us to go right back to basics and physically 'make' colour that is directly linked to our immediate landscape.
The feature fabrics have been ethically sourced or chosen from surplus textiles and hand-dyed using all natural dyes from local Australian tree species such as Peppermint Gum, Stringybark and Mistletoe. While the furniture, all rescued from end-of-lease commercial fit outs, is refurbished by skilled local craftspeople or rejuvenated using rescued timber, new fabrics with recycled content and non-toxic finishes.
A key accomplishment is the iconic Bertoia Diamond Armchair, diverted from a likely future in landfill, this chair was discovered in a commercial Sydney basement during defit and lovingly brought back to life by the team at Cultivated. We then sourced remnant wool from the old Geelong Mills hand-dying it with textile artist Heather Thomas in her Victorian studio and reimagining an Italian design icon with a rich earthy Australian persona.
NEWNEW Nexus Designs + Cultivated
Green Design Show Melbourne
Installation Design
Creative Direction
Interior Design
Furniture Selection
Product & Finishes Selection
Visual Identity & Campaign Creative
Graphic Design
Digital Design
Signage Design
Photography Art Direction
Video Art Direction
Timothy Kaye Pavilion Photography
Blue Tree Studios Video Production