The Edge is an annual event for new and emerging designers in Sydney. In its 6th run at the Australian International Furniture Fair, 4-6 Feb 2009 at the Sydney Exhibition Centre, 60 products were featured. Team mecho was there to have a peek of course.

The students from UTS, RMIT, the UWS, Lidcombe and East Gippsland TAFE displayed creative pieces such as a butterfly-shaped meditation seat, a sculptural exhibit for wine storage, a chair that transforms from a wall-hung art panel and a coffee-table inspired by high-density city skylines. New for this year was the Green Award joining the existing Student, Commercial and Concept divisions.

Seating seems to be the big trend for 2009 as chairs and stools accounted for over half of the submissions such as rocking chairs, amoeba-inspired stools and modular cushions mimicking cell structures. These were among our favourites:

Table and Seats by Furniture Design student Jacob Wong from Lidcombe TAFE - The Winner of The Edge Student Award 2009. Materials include GVA White Birch Plywood, foam and fabric. Made in Australia by designer. Prototype.

STACK-IT Stool Concept by Luke Leenders from Bach Industrial Design, Glebe – The Winner for the Edge Concept Award 2009. A flat-pack- design that nests efficiently with salvaged off-cuts and compact ply. Made in Australia by designer. Since graduating in 2003, Luke has been working for a Sydney based joinery company. In his spare time he has designed and constructed numerous furniture prototypes including chairs, stools and light fittings. Recently, Luke has been using computer aided manufacturing techniques such as CNC routing to develop design prototypes.

9 LEAVES Chair 9 by Industrial Design student William Eva was short-listed for the Edge Green Award 2009 and is specialising in bringing something new to  the furniture world. This is a low riding rocking chair in Hoop Pine Ply waste that verges away from traditional forms of earlier rocking chairs while pushing the boundaries of traditional materials and material processing. The chair requires minimal components, no screws or glue and the design is compatible with any sheet material, e.g. recycled plastic, eco-ply. Made in Australia by the designer.

Apart from The Edge Awards, there was unfortunately not much at the Australian Furniture Fair that offered new excitement in the world of furniture and decoration to stimulate our bored minds. We truly hope all the young designers will get the attention and support they deserve to bring their concepts to market. Please don’t forget the music!

Discover More Stylish features below:

• Miesrolo foldable wooden chair
• Ovalia Egg Chair, the re-birth of a classic
• Flux Foldaway Chair
• Q&A Tomek Archer | Furniture Designer