Designers:
Tomkins Design + Supermanoeuvre
Tomkins Design is an award-winning, research centred practice exploring on the possibilities of technology as tools to address the contemporary challenges of waste and over-consumption while exploring new object typologies. Our research investigates additive manufacturing paradigms, second life materials, and harvesting waste stream recycling via localised manufacturing strategies.
Supermanoeuvre is an international award-winning architecture and innovation practice operating globally out of Sydney and Canberra, Australia. We work with government and private clients to create memorable places, buildings and objects. At the forefront of design and fabrication technology, we invent new design-material systems to produce climate positive outcomes.
Project: SUPERFLAX - Knitted Bio-composite Furniture
Commissioned for the 2024 Australian Furniture Design Award, SuperFlax is a zero petrochemical bio-composite furniture production method demonstrated via a chair prototype. The method bio-bonds multiple flax yarn textiles produced by a custom knitting machine developed by the researchers. SuperFlax offers an ethical, non-toxic, environmentally light-footed and formally spectacular design outcome that evidences significant material and fabrication innovations.
The research represents experimentation with new forms and aesthetics, the convergence of traditional and emerging technologies, and techniques that challenge existing production systems and supply chains. These methodologies question how furniture might evolve in connection to social, cultural, environmental, and technological forces. Our research demonstrates an innovative response to each of these themes.
Category: Use
Designers and Project Team:
Sam Tomkins (Tomkins Design), Max Maxwell, (Supermanoeuvre)