Responding to the needs and desires that have emerged during the past two extraordinary years, and carving out a fresh perspective for authentic design, nau introduces a new furniture and lighting collection for 2021 by a collective of Australia’s most renowned designers. Comprising a comprehensive outdoor range, a locally crafted flat-pack furniture series and an edit of functional, refined designs for both residential and commercial settings, the new designs offer an exceptional mix of versatility, functionality, comfort and quality. All designed and made in Australia, here's a look at the new collection pieces.
Nami by Tom Fereday
Nami, meaning ‘wave’ in Japanese, is a comprehensive furniture collection named after its signature timber profile that seamlessly flows into adjoining components. Handcrafted in NSW from sustainably certified solid timber, Nami’s sculpted form is a celebration of natural materials. Directional grain details achieved through precision craftsmanship appear throughout the collection, giving each piece an organic artfulness. Comprising a range of tables, a sofa, armchair, ottoman and bed, Nami is a humble yet elevated collection that has been designed to last a lifetime.
‘The Nami collection originated from research and exploration into the essential key furniture items needed for any home unbiased by scale or location of how people live. Sensitive to the consideration of how people truly live today, the entire range of large items from tables to beds may be simply assembled or disassembled with a single allen key, resulting in an incredibly strong assembly truly designed to last a lifetime. At its essence the Nami range was developed to age elegantly through enduring minimal solid timber design paired with intelligent and considered construction.’ — Tom Fereday
Broad by Kate Stokes
Named after its distinctive scale and slimline silhouette, Broad is a classic yet contemporary pendant that creates intimacy in even the largest of spaces. Offering a soft diffusion of light with an ambient, even glow, Broad was designed to be placed above the centre of a table – from dining to meeting. Striking enough to command attention yet streamlined enough to fit in within any space, Broad does more than just illuminate; it centres conversations, focus and atmosphere. With a single stem-like hanging point, Broad is available with either a 500mm or 800mm width diameter, in a colour palette of black, white or eucalypt.
‘Broad is intended to have a gentle, yet commanding presence. Its slim, expansive profile provides an elegant focal point in the room, particularly effective when hung low over a dining table. I wanted to design a really effective light source that would still be soft on the eye and create a feeling of intimacy.'— Kate Stokes
Terrace by Adam Cornish
The 2021 collection includes nau’s first venture into the outdoors with three new collections by Melbourne-based designer Adam Cornish. Characterised by graphic lines, subtle curves and a clean visual language, Terrace is an outdoor seating series that is as comfortable as it is functional. Hand-crafted in Melbourne, Terrace is made from durable stainless-steel wires that are curved incrementally to create an inviting and embracing seat.
From long al-fresco lunches to uninterrupted lounging, this comprehensive collection is designed to withstand harsh Australian conditions and accommodate all kinds of outdoor living. Spanning commercial to residential to hospitality applications, Terrace is available in a selection of finishes in lounge chair, dining chair and bar stool options.
‘The Terrace collection aims to create a quaint, nearly transparent visual language. I wanted to achieve a product that neither stands out nor is lost in its surrounding environment. The formed wire construction is reminiscent of hand sketched gestures.'— Adam Cornish
Yuki by Adam Cornish
Inspired by the perfect proportions of the Japanese shoji screen, Yuki is an exceptionally comfortable outdoor seating series comprising a sofa and an armchair. Its graphic frame features structural curves that appear playfully inflated, adding to the visual interest and overall comfort of the collection. Nesting into the frame in an intentional contrast between hard and soft are large, inviting cushions. Made in Melbourne from stainless steel, premium exterior-grade foam and high-performance outdoor fabrics, Yuki is designed robustly enough to be used across a variety of public or private contexts.
‘Yuki is all about contrast and juxtaposition. The frame has a subtlety inflated quality manufactured from robust and durable stainless steel. The graphic frame construction envelops the generous, slightly chubby upholstery, creating the perfect nesting experience.’— Adam Cornish
Strand Bistro Table Outdoor by Adam Cornish
The newest addition to the Strand collection by Adam Cornish is the Strand Bistro Outdoor Table in both dining and bar height. The philosophy behind Strand is that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts; each component works with the other to create pieces that rely solely on their unison. Inspired by the vintage steel furniture from the 1950s, the collection is made from simple, tactile materials, chosen for their honesty and ability to age with dignity. Taking cues from braided steel cables, three ‘strands’ work in unison to create the outline of the design. Quaint, intricate and tactile, Strand is humble enough for homes and cafes, yet strong and ergonomically suited to commercial applications.
‘Australian culture is synonymous with outdoor living, we have amazing weather and love to eat and entertain outdoors. The new outdoor collections utilise premium stainless construction for durability, with paired back, delicate silhouettes creating cohesion with the surrounding architecture.’ — Adam Cornish
Harbour by Adam Goodrum
A place to rest, retreat, recover, Harbour feels like home. Superior quality and incomparable comfort characterise the Harbour collection by Adam Goodrum. From the structural bows crafted from solid timber to the leather strapping that is latticed by hand, Harbour is a homage to craftsmanship. Its hand-woven papercord frame, which nods to Scandinavian craft traditions of the ’50s and ’60s, creates a sculptural silhouette that is both inviting and supportive. Its softly curved structure echoes the rounded form of the pillows within, creating comfortable nooks that encourage long and lasting calm. Refined yet humble, the Harbour collection includes an armchair, sofa and bed.
‘Harbour comes from the desire to create a sofa collection of the highest quality and comfort and to capture the aesthetic of contemporary Australian life. All components are revealed through honest assembly to celebrate the handmade; with the paper rope echoing the rigging of ships and its slouched cushions the relaxed attitude of a ship at dock.’ — Adam Goodrum
Softply, Don and Rib by Adam Goodrum
Following the success of Adam Goodrum’s Chameleon table system and Sofala modular sofa, his new designs expand nau’s commercial offerings, with the inclusion of Softply, Don and Rib, all of which interchange seamlessly between commercial and residential environments.
Softply is a seating collection that pushes the boundaries of materiality. Typically a rigid material, plywood is press-moulded into a unique 3-directional curve to create a distinctive backrest that cascades elegantly over a stainless-steel frame and doubles as a sweeping armrest. This curved back is informed by geometry to create an ergonomically supportive chair that promotes a relaxed comfort. Softply’s 360-degree design considers every viewpoint, particularly the back from which chairs and stools are most commonly viewed. The Softply collection comprises a stackable chair and both bar and counter height stools in a selection of finishes.
Don is an exploration of craftsmanship, comfort and considered details. Elegantly draped timber dons a sturdy wooden frame to create a chair that is strong and durable yet lightweight. Don’s angled back doubles as a functional armrest to encourage movement, whilst the gently curved seat offers ergonomic support, eliminating pressure points in the legs of the sitter. With playful details such as the visible connection between the frame and seat reminiscent of cufflinks, Don has a uniquely compact footprint suitable for a variety of commercial contexts.
Inspired by Sydney’s iconic MLC centre by architect Harry Seidler, Rib is the first pedestal table in the nau collection. With a striking architectural aesthetic, Rib’s circular form offer a softness within commercial and residential spaces. Visually light but deceptively robust, the fluted ribs allow maximum stability in their elevation of the tabletop. Designed for meeting, conversation and togetherness, Rib is an inviting and functional table that allows for optional integrated power and data supply. Rib is available in walnut, oak, ash and black stained ash.
Styling by Megan Morton / Photography by Maxwell Finch