Dezeen Magazine

New Zealand design pavilion launches as part of San Francisco Design Week

Promotion: six New Zealand design brands have joined forces to create a pavilion of Kiwi design that will be showcased during San Francisco Design Week later this month.

Installed at Shack 15 overlooking San Francisco Bay, the 700-square-meter pavilion is the first independent exhibition of foreign homeware design in the United States since the Covid-19 pandemic and the most comprehensive showing of New Zealand design in the United States to date.

A photograph of the New Zealand design pavilion's furniture
The design pavilion takes place as part of San Francisco Design Week

Visitors to the pavilion can expect to see a broad selection of furniture, lighting, flooring and textile products produced by the six participating brands.

The brands include contemporary furniture and lighting company Resident; textile and furniture brand Citta; 110-year-old textile and wall coverings brand James Dunlop Textiles; lighting designer David Trubridge; design furniture B-Corp Noho; and handmade rug brand Nodi.

A photograph of the New Zealand Pavilion's furniture
On show are designs from six New Zealand brands

Although the products on show will be varied, the organisers hope that the showcase will communicate the defining characteristics that unite New Zealand design and bring an Antipodean perspective to the design week.

"The presentation illustrates how we achieve the critical balance between work and home life, and how great design must be approachable, inspiring, dynamic and sustainable," the organisers said in a statement.

A photograph of the designs as part of the New Zealand pavilion
Visitors can expect to see a broad selection of furniture, lighting, flooring and textile products

"All brands within the New Zealand Pavilion are constantly striving to create attractive and engaging products and spaces that put people first. We believe in elevating humanity. Creating spaces that are good for people and connecting them with our natural world."

The pavilion itself – described as "clean and pared-back" – was designed in partnership with San Francisco-based creative agency Aditions.

A photograph of the furniture in the New Zealand design pavilion
A range of furniture designed by New Zealand designers are on display

It will reference the country's vast and diverse natural landscapes including coastal, forest and alpine settings, taking guests on a "sensory journey".

The exhibition will relay stories of New Zealanders' way of life, the importance of the natural world and protecting it through sustainable design.

"We believe that to move forward in this new world, we must work together," said Scott Bridgens, co-founder of Resident. "We all have much more in common than we think, and so this New Zealand Design Pavilion represents the power of our collective lens on the world."

A photograph of the furniture in the pavilion
Visitors can also explore the New Zealand Design Pavilion online

"The light is different down here, and through this initiative, we aim to illuminate our creativity and ingenuity, and most importantly, share it with others. New Zealand's pioneering spirit is alive and well."

The New Zealand Design Pavilion is supported by New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Te Taurapa Tūhono. It will be on show at San Francisco's Shack 15 from June 21 until July 1 to coincide with San Francisco Design Week.

 A photograph of the New Zealand pavilion
Visitors must register to attend the event

Explore the New Zealand Design Pavilion online and register to attend the two week programme, which includes design events, panel discussions and product highlights.

Bookings must be made 24 hours in advance.

San Francisco Design Week takes place from 21 to 25 June 2022 in San Francisco, United States. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.

Partnership content

This article was written by Dezeen for New Zealand Design Pavilion as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.