Meet the winners! During our ongoing partnership with Design Fringe, a highlight of the Melbourne Fringe Festival, we are proud to present our ADA Design Futures Award to honour a body of work or ongoing practice of a single creative.
Congratulations to this year’s recipient, Melbourne-based designer Carl Broesen, who has three pieces exhibited at Linden New Art for this year’s Design Fringe exhibition.
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Design Fringe, the new evolution of Melbourne Fringe’s longest-running program, Fringe Furniture, will be making its home at Linden New Art in 2022.
This year’s provocation is Design the Future: Don’t Waste Time, which spotlights the global sustainability challenge.
Designers and audiences are asked to consider their relationships with objects by looking to the past and the future of design to inform purchase decisions better and explore notions of necessity, novelty, and obsoletion.
ADA DESIGN FUTURES AWARD – Carl Broesen
“Carl demonstrates excellence in metal furniture and object design. His three works, which were showcased in the Design Fringe exhibition at Linden this year, are market-ready and show originality, quality, and clever material reuse. We are excited to see his career unfold.
The Loom lounge addresses material reuse by incorporating textile offcuts as a decorative upholstery alternative.”
Carl Broesen: Mastering Sustainable Design
Melbourne (Naarm)- based designer Carl Broesen has emerged as a distinguished figure in Australian furniture, lighting, and object design. Taking a hands-on approach to crafting functional and poetic pieces, his designs reflect a deep commitment to sustainability and the belief that design is pivotal in shaping a better world. Broesen’s creations are not just objects but thoughtfully crafted statements that merge beauty with responsibility.
Broesen’s journey began during his Bachelor of Design in Product Design, where he honed his skills working as a concept designer and fabricator alongside acclaimed designers such as Adam Goodrum and Patryk Koca. This early exposure to the design world gave him invaluable insights into conceptual development and fabrication, laying the foundation for his unique approach.
Since graduating, Broesen has worked across various fields, from architectural model-making to furniture prototyping and design resolution. His multifaceted experience has enabled him to develop a comprehensive understanding of the design process, from initial concept to final product delivery.
Currently, Broesen is part of the design and production development team at Tait, a leading Australian outdoor furniture company. In his role, he is heavily involved in all stages of the design process, from conceptualisation to product delivery and ongoing refinement. This experience has further shaped his approach, allowing him to integrate sustainability and craftsmanship into every piece he creates.
Tait has continued to support the Authentic Design Alliance as a proud Gold Member. For 30 years, the family-owned Melbourne business has commissioned original outdoor furniture from various award-winning Australian designers.
Recent Highlights and Exhibitions
Carl was a finalist in the Australian Design Review’s inaugural 30 Under 30 design program and has recently been shortlisted for the Interior Design Excellence Award (IDEA) in the Furniture/Object-Rising category.
With Angharad Summers and Maryam Moghadam, Carl co-organised “Pop ‘round”exhibition during NGV’s Melbourne Design Week 2023. As a sustainability initiative, participants used discarded objects and upcycled materials to create furniture and objects.
His work has also been featured at the finalist exhibitions of Australia’s Next Top Designer. He received a commendation for Concept design at VIVID Furniture Design Exhibition 2024 and ‘New Australian Design’ at the Powerhouse Museum during Sydney Design Week.
Achievements and Accolades
Broesen’s dedication to responsible design is evident in his material choices and production techniques, which minimise waste and environmental impact. Employing sustainable fabrication methods, Broesen demonstrates that beautiful, functional objects can also be kind to the planet.
Awards and Shortlist Prizes
- DESIGN FRINGE, Authentic Design Alliance ‘ADA Design Futures Award’ 2024
- IDEA Awards (Interior Design Excellence Awards): Finalist in Furniture Design, 2023. IDEA Awards
- Australia’s Next Top Designer: 2023, 2024
- VIVID Emerging Designer Awards Finalist: VIVID Awards 2023, 2024
- Melbourne Design Week: Featured Designer, 2023. Melbourne Design Week
Looking Ahead
As Carl Broesen continues to explore new design possibilities, his influence on the industry is set to grow. His passion for crafting sustainable, functional, and poetic pieces and his commitment to responsible design positions him as a leader in contemporary Australian design. Broesen’s journey is a testament to the power of creativity and craftsmanship in positively impacting the world.
https://www.australiandesignreview.com/idea/2023/shortlist/object-furniture-lighting-rising/loom-lounge/
Find Carl on Instagram @carlbroesenstudio and on Linked in @carlbroesen
COMMENDATION – Kaspian Kan
Honourable Mention: Kaspian Kan for SIX STICKS
“The illuminated sculptural work SIX STICKS spotlights the importance of designing products and environments that support the best experience for neurodivergent people.”
Follow Kaspian @KaspianKan
VISIT DESIGN FRINGE UNTIL NOVEMBER 24
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11.00 – 4.00 pm. View the Catalogue here.
Linden New Art, 26 Acland Street, St Kilda.
melbournefringe.com.au/event/design-fringe
