12 Inspiring Events To See This Melbourne Design Week!

20 Years Of Volker Haug Studio
May 15 – 17

For the past two decades, Volker Haug Studio has cultivated a distinct design language, blending creative craftsmanship with functionality in their made-to-order lighting — and the studio has also just won the coveted 2025 Melbourne Design Week Award presented by Mercedes-Benz Australia for their outstanding work and participating showcase!

In a celebration of the lighting studio’s 20th anniversary, this three-day exhibition reflects on this journey by bringing together a curation of pieces on loan from the private homes where they usually reside. See some of their early formative designs and new creations all in one place.

Find out more here.

Introducing Knotte: A New Voice In Local And Responsible Design
May 15 – May 20

Melbourne Design Week is a great time to discover fresh names in the design world, and this year’s edition marks the debut of Knotte. The new Australian brand is dedicated to championing local designers and manufacturing, launching a range of modular lounges crafted in Sydney.

Be the first to see Knotte’s three debut collections in a show-room style installation (art directed by Oigåll Projects) and on May 16, there’ll be hosting a panel discussion, complete with refreshments from Florian.

Find out more here.

Regenerate
May 14 – 24

Did you know native grasslands in Victoria have diminished to less than 1 per cent of the natural coverage? That’s why outdoor furniture brand Tait is aiming to raise awareness of the importance of rejuvenating our natural ecosystems in this collaborative exhibition.

Regenerate features a series of experiential and educational installations by botanical design studio Alchemy Orange (founded by Yorta Yorta woman Shahn Stewart) and transdisciplinary artist-curator and researcher Cristina Napoleone. Plus, Tait will reveal its new considered product range designed by local legend Adam Goodrum.

Find out more here.

Melbourne Art Book Fair
May 16 – 18

For three days only, the Melbourne Art Book Fair will once again take over the NGV’s magnificent Great Hall to showcase some of the very best in print publishing.

The fair brings together independent art book makers, established publishing houses, and galleries who’ll have stalls full of books, magazines, zines, art prints, and more for visitors to purchase and explore. And this year, we’ll be there too with fresh copies of The Design Files Magazine!

Find out more here.

Agra Forma
May 15 – 25

Beloved rug brand Armadillo has collaborated with acclaimed Australian industrial designer Tom Fereday to create a capsule collection especially for Melbourne Design Week.

Anchored by Armadillo’s iconic Agra rug, the range comprises seven sculptural furniture designs that seamlessly merge textile and timber craftsmanship, using raw, sustainable materials like pure abrash-dyed wool and American red oak. Colour us intrigued!

Find out more here.

The Storm, The Craft And The Future: The Anton Gerner Exhibition II
May 23 – 25

Furniture designer and maker Anton Gerner returns to Labassa for his second solo exhibition in the National Trust’s Victorian-era mansion.

Showcasing ten new works set within the Caufield North mansion’s opulent interiors, this exhibition challenges the relationship between past and present, illustrating how contemporary furniture can reframe historic spaces. Expect to see striking pieces made from beautiful and rare timbers.

Find out more here.

Future Ambition
May 15 – 24

This exhibition in Craft Victoria’s main gallery highlights innovative and ambitious works by seven artists, designers, and makers who are forging new pathways in hope for a ‘better tomorrow’.

Featuring Isabel Avendano-Hazbun, DNJ Paper, Other Matter, Pit Projects, and Shahn Stewart, Future Ambition spotlights creative furniture, lighting, artworks and installations that all share a sustainable focus. Think a handmade wallpaper made from textile waste, or discarded materials that have been repurposed into experimental forms!

Find out more here.

Present Matter(s)
May 15 – 25

Gallery Boot presents Present Matter(s), hosted and curated by the Christopher Boots studio.

This diverse showcase in Fitzroy challenges the notions of how materials can be sourced, fabricated, and utilised. See new works by the likes of experimental designer Jessie French, maker Sean Brickhill, artist Rob Noonan and plenty more who are pushing the boundaries using unconventional materials in clever ways.

Find out more here.

Nau Design x Artedomus
May 15 – 25

In partnership with Artedomus, Nau Design is gearing up to reveal its latest furniture collection by esteemed Australian designer Tom Fereday in an urban Flemington warehouse space.

Visitors to the one-off exhibition will see how each one of Nau’s contemporary designs speaks to Artedomus’ spectacular natural stones, formed over many millennia and sourced from exclusive partners in Italy. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to meet the teams, learn about their creative process, and network with fellow design enthusiasts.

Find out more here.

Natural Brutalism: A Sustainable Collaboration
May 15 – May 23

Cork is perhaps one of the most underrated materials in the design world. It’s affordable, textural, and sustainable, but it’s relatively humble too.

In Natural Brutalism, product designer Capra Designs and East Gippsland-based textile studio Anna Sassi Design have combined their talents to create a sculptural range of interior decor made from cork that will inspire you to rethink the limitations of this natural material.

Find out more here.

Comfort Zone
May 22 – May 25

Comfort Zone exhibits a collaborative furniture collection by Beci Orpin and Softer Studios (Dustin Fritsche). While Beci works with soft fabrics and digital processes in her design work, Dustin shapes solid wood into physical forms to create custom joinery.

Despite their differences, the two creatives have come together to explore the unexpected connections between traditional techniques and contemporary digital design, resulting in a range of playful chairs, joinery, and furniture.

Find out more here.

100 LIGHTS
May 15 – 18

This one is exactly as the name suggests: an epic showcase of more than 100 unique lights made by leading Australian creatives, studios, architects and practices!

The line-up features some of our local favourites, like Coco Flip, Tantri Mustika, Nicole Lawrence, MISSEU, Kerstin Thompson Architects, Ross Gardam, Ruby Shields and Revival Projects — just to name a few!

Find out more here.

Explore the full Melbourne Design Week program here.