Inter-facing the Archive: Australian Furniture Maker, Ian Howard

Join us for a collection viewing and talk about RMIT University's Interior Design studio project, 'Interfacing the Archives: Ian Howard Archive.'  

Ian Howard was founder of Aristoc Industries and a pioneer of modern tubular steel furniture design. In this special collaboration between the RMIT Interior Design, the HOW Group, and the RMIT Design Archives, a group of RMIT interior design students have studied the Aristoc Archive and re-envisioned Howard's legacy, exploring the evolving relationship between materiality, surfaces, and spatial perception. These student-created works will be exhibited in the RDA’s Gallery window and encompass built and film-based projects, that showcase interior design operations that shift between image/object, Screens/Screening, Surface/Depth, and Physical/Digital.

During the Melbourne Design Week collection viewing and talk, visitors will be able to view the original artefacts and learn more about Ian Howard and his legacy, and view the showcase of the student’s Semester One work.

Guest speakers:

Paul Howard, HOW Group. The HOW Group was established in 2012 by Paul Howard and Faith Sun. Drawing on the family heritage of Howard Interiors established in Melbourne in 1946, by Ian Howard, Paul's father, the HOW Group is driven by a philosophy of innovation and accessible design plus a deep connection to the city of Melbourne, in bravely imagining our future. It has grown to be a leader in workplace, hospitality and education commercial furniture and lighting.

Geoff Fitzpatrick, Life Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and recipient of the Order of Australia Medal for services to Design. Geoff trained as an Interior Designer at Royal Melbourne Technical College in the early sixties. More recently he has produced a podcast series, Design Conversations, an oral history of designers and design practices in Australia. Geoff Fitzpatrick will lead a conversation with Paul Howard.

Dr. Roger Kemp, Associate Dean, Interior Design, RMIT University will introduce the speakers.

Exhibition dates:
15 May to 25 May

Collection viewing & talk
Tuesday, 20 May at 11:00 am

This is a Melbourne Design Week event, curated by RMIT University's Interior Design program in the School of Architecture and Urban Design.

Exhibition dates: 
15 May to 25 May

Collection viewing & talk
Tuesday, 20 May at 11:00 am

This is a Melbourne Design Week event, curated by RMIT University's Interior Design program in the School of Architecture and Urban Design.