Cultivated hosted a day-trip to visit Geelong Design Week that began at Agency Projects before heading to Geelong to tour adaptive re-use project Eden Oak Retreat by Plus Architecture; student-led projects at Design Futures Lab at Sacred Heart College; Geelong Arts Centre; and the Dowel Jones 10 Years Exhibition.

AGENCY PROJECTS

The day began at Agency Projects in Collingwood, a First Nations gallery and artist promoter, the NFP organisation exhibits, sells and commissions art and design works by First Nations creatives and groups.

Leila Gurruwiwi, a proud Yolngu woman originally from Galiwinku on Elcho Island in North East Arnhem land, introduced Vault, an exhibition featuring stunning works from Art Centres like Gapuwiyak Culture & Arts and Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre.

The tour emphasised the sustainable and regenerative practices of Australia’s First Nations people, who have led the way in sustainability for tens of thousands of years. Highlights included innovative artwork made from discarded street signs and woven baskets made from ghost nets discarded in the Gulf of Carpentaria. This demonstrated how First Nations creativity can preserve culture whilst breathing new life into waste, also protecting the environment.

Then a discussion on sustainability in First Nations communities led by CEO Kade McDonald also outlined processes and projects of First Nations designed objects.

AGENCY PROJECTS, 47 Easy Street, Collingwood

DESIGN FUTURES LAB, SACRED HEART COLLEGE

A High School Innovation Hub

Heading to Geelong, the first visit was the Design Futures Lab at Sacred Heart College.

Led by industrial designer and materials scientist Dani Storm, the lab inspires young minds by tackling real-world problems. Earlier this year, Cultivated challenged the students to reuse sawdust waste from our workshop, typically destined for landfill.

Secondary students presented projects the extra-curricular program open to students from years 7 to 12. The elective unit develops experimental projects to explore new materials and sustainable and circular practice. Students, academics, and industry professionals collaborate on ambitious, real-world projects. Unlike typical classroom assignments, the Lab focuses on open-ended challenges that encourage exploration and innovation.

Projects at the Lab are designed to push the boundaries of design and technology, offering students the chance to dive into complex, long-term problems with no clear answers. Learning comes from trial, error, and discovery, students engage with real-world issues while developing skills like problem-solving, data analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The students showcased their incredible progress: biodegradable building blocks made by combining sawdust with lime and water, which can potentially be used to create new furniture. They also experimented with natural dyes derived from cabbage leaves, altering the pH to create stunning hues of pink, blue, and yellow.

Another exhibit demonstrated how microorganisms decomposing decaying greens could also break down polyester lining, hinting at potential solutions for textile waste. Visitors were impressed by the students’ dedication and ingenuity as they explained their process and future plans.

Overseen by Nexus, and led by college teaching staff, their projects also exhibit at Melbourne Design Week and have toured internationally including, recently, Japan.

We won’t be surprised if we see these projects reprised for Melbourne Design Week next May.

EDEN OAK RETREAT BY PLUS ARCHITECTURE

Next, the group visited Eden Oak Retreat, a stunning adaptive reuse project in Geelong. This mid-century building, originally constructed as a school in 1980, was later transformed into a resort under the guidance of Plus Architecture.

Dominic Versace from Plus Architecture led a tour highlighting how the building’s original timber ceilings, open-plan layout, and extensive glass walls were preserved while integrating modern functionality. The site was the original ground for the Geelong Cats AFL team, then went on to become a greyhound track prior to its current incarnation.

The day’s efforts culminated in a relaxed lunch at Eden Oak, where guests exchanged ideas, forged connections, and enjoyed a presentation by Joshua Ellis, Cultivated’s Manager, on fostering a circular economy for furniture in Australia.

GEELONG ART GALLERY

Tracing the colonial domination of indigenous communities, a highlight of the tour was the external First Nations poster wall, the adjoining Brutalist building depicting imagery of colonial Geelong Jail.

DOWEL JONES 10 YEAR EXHIBITION

The National Wool Museum hosted the 10-year anniversary exhibition of beloved Melbourne brand Dowel Jones that manufacture locally in Geelong. The showcase featured customised versions of their side tables and pendant lights, with newly created chaise and a seesaw that kept all the visitors entertained.

The boldly colour blocked space featured a custom upholstered BIG FRIENDLY Armchair by Queensland designer CJ Anderson with textile printed with the names of supporters, customers and industry fans (and yes we are there!).

A big thank you to Cultivated and Cult and especially Josh Ellis for organising a fun and informative day trip to Geelong!