Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts – Strand by Adam Cornish for nau

Willem-Dirk du Toit photographed the new Strand Bistro table and chair by Adam Cornish for nau in a space designed by Studio Goss still under construction. The contemporary Brutalist backdrop highlights the pieces’ clean lines and strong materiality.

Inspired by vintage steel furniture from the 1950s, the Strand collection is driven by a belief in the whole as greater than the sum of its parts. While each individual piece is a strong individual entity, they become a powerful statement in unison. The simple, tactile materials and emphatic functionality of the designs highlights Adam’s curiosity about the ‘how’ – how things are made, how they perform and how they will endure the test of time.

Strand takes its cues from braided steel cables, bringing together three aluminium strands into unison to create the designs’ silhouette. These are humble pieces, yet with a quiet fortitude that emphasises their sense of purposeful functionality.

The contemporary Brutalist backdrop highlights the pieces’ clean lines and strong materiality.

Their broad applicability, from the home to commercial settings, emphasises Adam’s wide scope of work across design disciplines, from furniture and household innovation to commercial and residential installations.

These are humble pieces, yet with a quiet fortitude that emphasises their sense of purposeful functionality.

The collection is designed for nau, the contemporary Australian brand designed by a collective of local designers – Adam Cornish, Gavin Harris, Adam Goodrum and Jack Flanagan. Described as ‘new by necessity’, nau is the local design brand of Cult the leading purveyor of fine international design in Australia and New Zealand. nau is inspired by the unique Australian landscape of extremes and the resourceful, innovative design culture that is born of this environment.

Ultimately the Strand collection for nau is driven by a belief in the whole as greater than the sum of its parts.