Creative, colourful and quirky – The Project 2009 appealed to all the senses!

The Project 2009 surprised, delighted and stimulated visitors at Saturday in Design. Creative, colorful and quirky,

This year, a keyword or ‘inspiration driver’ was introduced as a starting point for those that needed one. The keyword for 2009 was ‘Sense’, which could be interpreted to any literal or conceptual translation. Read more about it on indesignlive by clicking here…

The Project in Sydney 2009 explored the keyword, ‘Sense’, drew out themes, celebrated product and inspired event guests, with an array of installations all around town. Participating companies and design firms are below:

· Alternative Surfaces/Mico/Stylecraft with Whitehouse Institute of Design students will use recycled folders to explore ‘The Sense of Movement’ through the spaces in the showrooms, an experiential version of Mountains of binders covered in various finishes representing each of the three companies were displayed in and in between the showrooms. This installation was sustainable – re-using old materials – and also created movement through the spaces.

· Cafe Culture / Brintons Carpets with Luchetti Krelle created ‘Decadent nonSense’. A welcome distraction from the somewhat frenetic pace of the event, this Project location beckoned to visitors’ dark sides. Burlesque music, scented candles, a provocative photo opportunity, decadent wine and cheese, forbidden fruits and a tarot reader, all combined to create a truly sensual experience.

· Classique teamed up with Cunsolo Architects – At Warehouse 625, visitors could enter the great outdoors up on the second level, where Classique showcased their leisure furniture, where people took the opportunity to indulge in a much-needed sit down during the day.

· Corporate Culture, Klang Audio Visual and Haron Robson worked with Geyer - Within Corporate Culture’s beautiful showroom, were a multitude of displays communicating all brands and products, with furniture, the latest in audiovisual and lighting techniques showcased.

· Electrolux with Bangdesign – Celebrating their Australian Design Award for Sustainability, Electrolux for their E:Line refrigeration range, Bangdesign created a floating installation at the front of the showroom and an internal exploration of Woven Image Echo Panel inspired by the colours of local Australian food and ingredients.

· Iken / Macquarie Textiles with Perumal Pedavoli – Harmony Park was a perfect location for these companies, who worked in sync to install their outdoor tent for the day, with Macquarie Textiles leaves dropping from an Iken Tree designed by Eero Aarnio.

· InterfaceFLOR showcased ‘Representations’ with 5 leading design firms – Davenport Campbell, Geyer, HASSELL, Sheargold/Sally Hieatt Interiors and Woods Bagot - With five different concepts or ‘Representations’ of the possibility of carpet tile, the showroom became a gallery to wander around and ponder.

· Intermain worked with Melbourne artist, sculptor and furniture maker, Tim Fleming, to create ‘Two Hands’, a scaled-up experiment exploring the creative process between designer and maker, a giant, mirrored hand in the PYD Warehouse was the result

· James Richardson with Morris Selvatico created a sculptural chair installation to explore the ‘Sense of Colour’ at their PYD Warehouse location· Kezu and a collaboration of designers including Matthew Sheargold + David Caon + Group GSA + Good Manors Landscape Design showed how KE-ZU’s products ‘Make Sense’ – A group of four creative companies from different disciplines fitted out various installations in the showroom.

· Kinnarps / CSM Storage and Filing Solutions joined forces with industrial designer, Andrew Aloisio to combine the organic and industrial in a ‘Progressive Organic’ installation that has evolved over time .

· Klang Audiovisual with WC Wedderspoon

· Maxton Fox with Spparc Architecture – The showroom theme was based on a bowerbird, an Australian native that collects brightly coloured objects, which inspired various installations and a blue colour scheme.

· Ontera Modular Carpets will be collaborating with There Design at Warehouse 625 on South Dowling Street – Visitors who ventured up the stairs at Warehouse 625 enjoyed the very green installation, ‘Art and Sole’, representing inspirational re-use and responsible recycling.

· Schiavello worked with Woodhead to explore an Australian favourite pastime and go ‘Back to Basics’ with a Aussie backyard theme – Inspired by the company’s Australian designed and made products.

· Spence & Lyda teamed with inspiring artist, Lisa Hoelz, to create an in situ garden in the showroom windows, with their cactus theme in the showroom – a cactus grew on the front windows over the course of the event, with the artist painting live.

· Stylecraft / Alternative Surfaces and Mico teamed up with the Whitehouse Institute to create a design hub in Darlinghurst

· Zenith/BOLON with HASSELL – The showroom became a dolls house, inspired by the long slim leg of the new ‘Stiletto’ table, with a different table, floor finish and real live Barbie in each room.