In conjunction with the GREAT Britain campaign, we brought two new British inventors together with Australian designers, architects and developers in panels and talks at Melbourne’s MPavilion in January 2016.
The events celebrated great British invention and the emerging generation of pioneering British inventors who are challenging how we make and innovate in cities and factories.
UK-based design engineer Oluwaseyi Sosanya and Paul Stoller from Atelier Ten’s Australian office brought UK and local experience to the conversation.
Oluwaseyi has developed a concept for a unique device that can weave three-dimensional structures. The 3D Weaving Machine combines the traditional art of weaving with the use of modern materials and high-tech processes to create structures that are both flexible but able to withstand extremely high impacts. His design can change products from protective sportswear to bulletproof vests.
UK environmental designers and engineers business Atelier Ten has worked on large-scale sustainable projects both in Australia and overseas, with a willingness to invent new structures to respond to environmental challenges. Paul's impressive portfolio includes the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute laboratory in Adelaide, the Barangaroo South precinct in Sydney and the original environmental concepts for Melbourne's Federation Square.
At the special event, moderated by RMIT Design Hub curator Fleur Watson, Oluwaseyi and Paul spoke about their practices and processes, and about developing new ways of thinking and making.
The visits of these British inventors were part of the Creativity is GREAT programme, through the GREAT Challenge Fund. The pair joined the day-long design talk-fest MRelay and discussed their work at a special MTalks event during their visit. Moderated by RMIT Design Hub curator Fleur Watson, Oluwaseyi and Paul engaged the crowd with insights into their practices and processes and discussed how they use design to marry new technologies and materials with craft and tradition to invent new products and projects.
British-Australian collaboration and invention is integrated deeply into the MPavilion project this year, which is supported by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation. It is designed by British architect Amanda Levete who worked with Australian and UK manufacturers and constructors, sound artists and lighting designers to bring cutting edge materials into a garden setting. Dr Martin Roth, Director of London's Victoria and Albert Museum, officially opened the 2015 pavilion back in October 2015.
British Council Australia Director Helen O’Neil says: “We were delighted that British inventor Oluwaseyi Sosanya and managing director Paul Stoller of Atelier Ten have accepted our invitation to speak at MRelay. The British Council endeavors to support great design and pleased that in its second year MPavilion was designed by Amanda Levete of AL_A — an inspiring British-Australian collaboration.”
About MPavilion
MPavilion is a unique architecture event commissioned by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation for Melbourne. A new temporary pavilion is designed each year by a leading international architect. Each structure takes shape in the historic Queen Victoria Gardens housing talks, workshops, performances and installations from October until February. The architect for each MPavilion is selected based on the strength of their international profile and ability to encourage design debate, and make a meaningful contribution to Australian creative industries. One of the unique features of the MPavilion project is that it is gifted to the City of Melbourne creating a permanent legacy of architectural masterpieces. The pavilions become part of the cultural heritage and public amenity of Melbourne, attracting tourism, industry development and civic pride.