Playful, Durable Objects
Melbourne-based design and manufacturing studio Lood – launched in 2023 – has built a reputation for innovative, playful and beautifully made objects designed to last a lifetime.
Founded by a small group of like-minded designers, Lood is drawn together by a focus on curiosity, collaboration and craftsmanship. Launching with just four products and now boasting a growing collection of 18, the team experiments across materials and mediums to create refined objects and furniture for the home and beyond.
What sets Lood apart is its focus on storytelling. As designer David Robinson puts it: “Objects are like people, there is always a story about how they became.” This can be seen in the team’s rigorous research and experimentation process, as well as their close collaboration with skilled fabricators and local manufacturers, who combine traditional techniques with modern technology to ensure each piece is crafted to the highest standard.
The range itself is both varied and considered. Ridl, an award-winning stainless-steel bottle opener by Lucy Callahan, reimagines a traditional wine riddling tool for the modern age. Fold, designed by Andrew Barber, is a sleek, minimalist aluminium shelf that appears to float on the wall thanks to a clever hidden locking system. Inspired by a folded sheet of paper, it can be installed and grouped in various orientations, allowing for endless possibilities.
Balboa by Shaheera Crawford – the title a playful nod to the Rocky films – is a durable and sustainable, flat-pack rocking chair made from bamboo ply and finished with bold cobalt-blue upholstery. Meanwhile, the simple and elegant Orbu by Oscar Thomson uses the ancient technique of lost-wax casting to create a hand-polished stainless-steel bowl. With its slanted posture and semi-enclosed shape, it feels strikingly fresh and contemporary.
Underlying this broad product offering is Lood’s belief that good design should be for everybody. With pieces offered at different price points, the studio proves that high-quality, functional and beautiful design doesn’t need to be exclusive.
