Seven Mind-Blowing Exhibitions at Melbourne Design Week 2024

‍

_{From sculptures grown out of arctic seawater to a vending machine that sells snacks made from insects, this year’s event didn’t hold back on innovation and intrigue. Australia's largest annual design festival, now in its eighth edition, gathered over 300 exhibitions, displays, symposiums, and talks across Melbourne and Victoria State, all centered around the theme "Design the World You Want."}

_{Here’s your insider look at the seven most talked-about installations that you just can’t miss:}

‍

Abyssicide: Garments for Drowning In by Sruli Recht and RMIT Architecture Tectonic Formation Lab

_{Imagine sculptures grown from water using cutting-edge computational design and robotic fabrication. The Abyssicide installation features three suspended sculptures created from arctic seawater, employing a biomimetic technique similar to how coral forms its skeleton. “I figured out a way to turn arctic seawater into solid objects,” explained designer Sruli Recht. These haunting pieces envision a future where, as the ocean rises, garments grow into coral structures around the body. Mind-blowing, right?}

‍

‍

100 Circles by Revival Projects

_{Revival Projects took five large Cypress Macrocarpa trees from Box Hill Cemetery and turned them into 100 stunning timber urns—without using a single drop of glue! These urns house seeds of Australia's national tree, the Golden Wattle, allowing new life to sprout when the urns decompose. With activated charcoal to neutralize pH levels, this project is both a tribute to the past and a promise of future growth.}

‍

‍

One-Stop Bug Shop by National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and Circle Harvest

_{Would you snack on cricket corn chips? How about tangy Australian ants rock candy? This vending machine, a collaboration between NGV and Circle Harvest, challenges everything you know about food. A quirky yet powerful statement, the One-Stop Bug Shop invites you to rethink sustainable food options and explore alternative protein sources. It's not just a vending machine—it’s a revolution!}

‍

‍

Pet Furniture by Never Too Small

_{In today’s compact living spaces, pet furniture that doubles as storage or seating is a game-changer. Design media company Never Too Small partnered with 11 designers to create multifunctional pet furniture from a single piece of plywood. Perfect for those with limited space, this smart, stylish furniture redefines how we think about pet housing, blending aesthetics with practicality.}

‍

‍

Call-Out by Do Works

_{Step into a historic former Union Bank building to explore seven groundbreaking pieces of furniture designed by architecture studios across Australia. The Call-Out exhibition, curated by Do Works, is a bold experiment in material innovation. From a bench made from decommissioned telegraph poles to a solar-powered coffee table, this exhibition pushes the boundaries of traditional furniture design.}

‍

‍

Material Matters 02 by BETA by STH BNK and Atelier

_{What if waste could be beautiful? Material Matters 02 showcases sustainable materials, from recycled industrial waste turned into Bitsa Blocks to Nordgröna’s Reindeer Moss panel that absorbs sound and senses humidity. These materials aren't just eco-friendly—they're the future of design.}

‍

‍

The Beauty and Persistence of Metal by Tait

_{Australian outdoor furniture company Tait celebrates the endless possibilities of recycled aluminium in their exhibition. The star? The Cycle chair and bar stool, designed by Adam Goodrum and crafted using a special tube-bending machine imported from Japan. With 70% recycled material, this exhibition is a powerful statement on the importance of material reuse and circularity in design.}

_{Melbourne Design Week 2024 wasn’t just an event—it was an experience that left everyone talking. Whether you're a design enthusiast or simply curious about the future of creativity, these installations are a must-see!}

‍

‍