Premier's Design Award for SCR Buffet
Thursday 17 July 2008
The custom-designed buffet that now stands in the Senior Common Room (SCR) has earned the 2008 Premier’s Design Award in the Commercial Hand Made Objects category for artisan, Mr John Waters, an independent furniture maker and tenant at the VWA (Victorian Woodworkers Association) Wood Design Centre, at the Meat Market in North Melbourne.
The buffet in the SCR
Hand-crafted from three varieties of reclaimed or recycled Australian timbers, the buffet was commissioned and installed as part of last year's SCR refurbishment. A sizeable 4 metres long and 1.1 metres high, it provides storage for audio-visual equipment, beverages, glassware, newspapers and journals.
The design brief required it to blend into the existing interior architectural features, as well as to refresh the room with a contemporary design and finish. Accordingly, the dominant features of the room – the striking parquetry panelling above the mantelpiece, and the bay windows framed by ornate plasterwork with a layered upward arrowhead formation – are reflected as design features of the buffet.
John Waters’ work reflects his concern for two key issues: the sustainable use of natural resources, and a sensitive response to cultural and heritage condition. The top of the buffet is made from Grey Box timber salvaged from a farm at Batemen’s Bay, NSW; the pillars are of Grey Box, salvaged from dead trees near Rushworth, in northern Victoria; the veneer is reclaimed Queensland Walnut from the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland; and the drawers are made of Queensland Maple left over from a boat built by a retired boat-builder in North Melbourne.
John attributes the project’s success to excellent communication with the College, particularly through the close involvement in each stage – from concept development and design, to timber selection and lacquer finish – of the then Dean, Dr Peter Tregear, and President of the Senior Common Room, Dr Margaret Grose.
In addition to that support, John is also very grateful for Margaret’s assistance in preparing his submission for the Premier’s Design Award.
‘I would like to extend my gratitude to Trinity by offering a specially considered fee to any prospective clients associated with Trinity, including alumni. It really has been a great honour for me to work in such an esteemed institution, with such inspiring personnel,’ John said.