DENFAIR, Australia’s leading destination for contemporary design is
over for another year – having attracted over 8000 interior designers,
architects and design lovers at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention
Centre over 3 days.

The theme for this year’s DENFAIR was LIFE WORK, and one of the key
highlights of this year’s exhibition was #futurework by FUTURESPACE – a
dedicated workspace precinct featuring smart solutions and furniture to
support today’s mobile professional.

This fifth year of DENFAIR brought together the best of local Australian and
international exhibitors and its largest ever investment in the production of
a world-class activation program.

Outstanding activations included the Living Bar by Adam Cornish and
Junglefy, the Wallpaper* Chalet Restaurant, the double storey Lounge by
Spacecube, the Axolotl Easel Project, a presentation of the 2018 Good
Design Awards and the communal cafe by PHG Bricks.
DENFAIR has become a key date for the Australian design community to
launch new product. On Day One of the show, Tait unveiled its inspiring
Scape outdoor range designed by Adam Goodrum, Ross Didier launched
new products including the Puffalo lounge range and the Fable Outdoor
range, Coco Flip launched the Sequence collection, and a host of other
brands harnessed the opportunity to launch new products to the trade.

The Speaker Space was once again a talking point designed by Arthur
Koutoulas using Joyce Foam Products. With DENFAIR’s Sandra Tan curating
the program, an array of local and international speakers delighted
packed out audiences. Highlights included a conversation with Directors of
Zaha Hadid Design, Woody Yeo and Maha Kutay; the Artichoke Food Culture
session with IF Architecture, DesignOffice and Luchetti Krelle; and the
Design Anthology Made in Asia session featuring Bespoke Studio, Reddie
Furniture and One Design Office.

Front Centre proved popular again with Maikiko Ruijin taking out the
winning entry and receiving a DENFAIR stand at the 2020 exhibition. Front
Centre supported by the Design Institute of Australia is DENFAIR’s commitment
to creating accessible industry pathways for emerging designers
working in collaboration with Craft ACT, Craft Vic, JamFactory and Workshopped
together with the Australian Design Centre.
The DENFAIR Awards were judged by Rob Mills, Chris Connell and Suzy
Annetta. Winners were:
Best Small Stand: Coco Flip
Best Medium Stand: The Raconteur
Best Large Stand: American Hardwood Export Council
Best Workspace Product: Chameleon by nau
Best International Product: Cell Candle Holder by Zaha Hadid Design
Best Australia Product: SWAY by Made by Pen

DENFAIR is an inclusive design show and one of the few trade exhibitions
that invites the general design loving public on day three. This year DENFAIR
initiated the Designers Meet Designers program which attracted a record
number of public visitors. Over 60 designers were present at DENFAIR
today providing unprecedented access to the design world. Also on the
public day was the private screening of Rob Mills “The Search” short film
which made its debut at this year’s Salone del Mobile.