Award of Merit:

DesignByThem for Olio Armchair, design collaboration by Christina Bricknell, Sarah Gibson & Nicholas Karlovasitis

Established in 2007, DesignByThem was founded by industrial designers Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis. Based in Australia, the company is run by designers who are dedicated to creating and producing unique products for design professionals and enthusiasts alike. Our products are designed by Australian designers, developed in-house by the DesignByThem team and produced worldwide. The brand’s growing curated collection of furniture, accessories and lighting is characterised by its unique Australian perspective, timeless aesthetic and distinct playfulness. 

Through our products, talks and events we hope to educate the general public and wider design community about the importance of product design and the talent that lies within Australia. Co-founders Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis are active advocates for Australian design, both frequently participating in panel talks and events involving design. Co-Director Nicholas Karlovasitis is a Design Institute of Australia Fellow and former NSW Chair and is involved in DIA strategies and events around Australia. Sarah is a regular speaker on Design and Creative Business and a previous judge of the Good Design Awards. 

The name DesignByThem is representative of the multiple designers that we represent and the people that help us make it happen. Collaboration is key. We represent Australian designers across many different disciplines and industries to create new products. To produce great work, you also need a great team who love what they do, motivate each other and are always striving for new challenges and improvements. This is our team and it is what allows us to compete in the global marketplace. 

We want our designs to make the lives of our clients and customers more enjoyable and are always asking what can be done to improve the way they interact with their spaces. We work closely with clients, providing them with all the tools and information they need as well as having designs and supply chains that also allow for customisation. We know and understand that one size can’t fit all which is why we provide multiple standard variations and a vast range of finishes in our collections as well as the option to customise. 

At DesignByThem we embed sustainable initiatives into our design process and are committed to reducing the impact of our products on the environment and society. We do this through comprehensive product life cycle thinking. This includes not only considering the materials, finishing, packaging, transport and waste of the products but also the serviceability of the products and how they can be repaired, reused and recycled at the end of their life. Although it can’t be quantified, we design our products to have a timeless quality for aesthetic longevity. The only test of a timeless design is time itself. As our company matures beyond 15 years we are seeing many products designed 10+ years ago remain current and popular.

About the Project

The Olio Armchair, a collaboration between Australian designers Christina Bricknell, Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis, invites you to take a seat. Focusing on the organic contours of the human figure, Olio emphasises the relationship between form and support. Composed of sweeping curves, plush modules and a carefully constructed framework, Olio balances personality with optimum comfort to create a modern, timeless and striking form. 

Olio aims to make the user feel enveloped and comfortable with an aesthetic that feels open, welcoming and distinguished within its environment. Though the cushioned arms and lumbar encloses its user, the seat is generous enough for nestling into. The round profiles relate to specific contact points on the body and are positioned to provide optimal lumbar and back support. 

The first iteration of Olio was a timber dining chair with bright textured upholstery designed to directly respond to the posture of a seated person. “I wanted the original chair to enhance the dining experience by accommodating long comfortable dinner parties as well as featuring the chair’s design and personality from above the table.” - Christina Bricknell. Developing from a dining chair to a lounge design, it was important that the Olio Armchair maintain the same fundamental elements of the original design by responding to and supporting a relaxed posture to create a space where you can truly unwind. 

The innovation of the Olio Armchair lies within its construction as well as its adaptability. There's a lot of hidden detail in Olio - mainly the way the cushions interact with the frame. This allows the design to be both robust and minimal. The design is carefully constructed with hidden fixings to allow the appearance of a floating lumbar and headrest. “Although the front legs and armrest were dictated by ergonomic factors at first, we aimed to use the proportions to add character and uniqueness to the form.” - Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis. 

We design with high use commercial environments in mind and aim to use materials that will last, striving to make our designs a long-term collector’s piece. Olio Armchair is made internally with low VOC commercial grade green star rated foam and FSC plywood on a powder coated steel frame. In addition to the ergonomics and comfort, the armchair is designed for future sustainability, allowing its owner to easily reupholster and re-powder-coat or replace parts after a long period of use. The modular-like construction makes it easy to customise and update in the future if required, allowing for a truly long-lasting design. As part of the DesignByThem Stewardship program, at the end of its useful life the product can be given back to DesignByThem for repair, reuse or recycling to avoid adding to landfill. We offer a 5 year commercial warranty, however, the products are designed to last longer than this.

Category: Use

Designers and Project Team:
Christina Bricknell
Sarah Gibson
Nicholas Karlovasitis