Melbourne Design Week

We applied for Melbourne Design Week with nothing more than an idea. No finished product. Just a strong concept around the potential of algae.

Instead of trying to present multiple ideas, we decided to focus on refining a single product through multiple iterations: a sheet made from seaweed. We secured a lab space at CoLabs and got to work. From February through March, we spent our time reading scientific papers, experimenting with formulations, and testing repeatedly.

By the end of March, we achieved a breakthrough.. a consistent, beautiful sheet that was a pleasure to handle. We affectionately called it the “fruit roll-up” before officially renaming it Yellow Chilli. This became the foundation for all future variations.

Two months later, we had developed a range of sheets with very different properties: semi-rigid versions that could be moulded or stand upright, through to thicker, stronger sheets capable of being used as chair seats.

During Melbourne Design Week, we exhibited at MPavilion for 10 days and welcomed over 700 visitors. Our opening night alone drew 110 people, who came to see the material and attend a panel discussion hosted by Compound’s co-founder, Vasundhara Gaur. The panel included Sarah D'Sylva (Hyloh), Samuel Wines (CoLabs), Ollie Cotsaftis (RMIT/NeoMatter), and Chris Gillies (SeaGen Aquaculture).

Watch the panel discussion here: YouTube

Throughout the week, almost every visitor touched and experienced the biomaterial firsthand. We had meaningful conversations with textile designers, interior and product designers, and architects who immediately saw its potential as a plastic alternative.

On the final two days, we hosted a hands-on workshop with a live cooking demonstration. A total of 50 people attended, getting to see the material being made and trying it themselves.