Changing the Landscape – Tait Sustainability Statement

Words by James Lyall Smith
Photography by Haydn Cattach

Australian culture is inherently connected to the natural environment. The incredible beauty that exists from country to coastline has always inspired and captivated – but, more recently, protecting Australia’s natural environment has become the design industry’s defining challenge. Australian furniture brand Tait has emerged as a leader in this field. Underpinned by a newly established Sustainability Statement, the Tait philosophy is built around creating sustainable, Australian-made furniture, designed and crafted to last a lifetime.

Since Tait’s inception, the company’s focus has been on manufacturing outdoor and indoor products that elevate commercial and residential spaces, while withstanding Australia’s harsh climatic conditions. Creating products for a lifetime, and offering easy refurbishment during a product’s life cycle, Tait eases pressure on landfill and is continually working to use less energy and resources. With an inherent focus on improving sustainability measures throughout all areas of its business, Tait has established its 2022 Sustainability Statement. Offering a definitive insight into the company’s active commitment to achieving best-practice sustainability measures, the statement provides transparent information on all areas of the business, from energy efficiency to manufacturing, product life cycle and social responsibility.

As a family-owned and operated Australian business, Tait’s product portfolio is proudly manufactured in Melbourne by a passionate team of craftspeople, which has the added benefits of supporting the local economy as well as drastically reducing lead times.

At the heart of the Tait 2022 Sustainability Statement is an inherent commitment to the often-neglected art of local manufacturing. Recent global events have spurred a renewed consciousness related to where and how products are produced. As a family-owned and operated Australian business, Tait’s product portfolio is proudly manufactured in Melbourne by a passionate team of craftspeople, which has the added benefits of supporting the local economy as well as drastically reducing lead times.

The 2022 Tait Sustainability Statement is perhaps best reflected in its products that adorn residential and commercial spaces across the country. In the commercial realm, collections such as Scape, Seam and the recently-released Xylem offer a tangible insight into the advantages of sustainable local design. Named after the life-giving vascular tissue found within plants, the Xylem collection – designed by the prolific Adam Goodrum – is a premium solution for incorporating innovative biophilic design within the urban realm.

In the commercial realm, collections such as Scape, Seam and the recently-released Xylem offer a tangible insight into the advantages of sustainable local design.

Akin to the unconquerable strength of the Australian environment in design and function, the Xylem collection is manufactured in Australia and comprises high-quality materials, including anti-corrosive aluminium and sustainable FSC-sourced spotted gum timber, in a bevy of Australian-landscape inspired textured powder-coat colours. The aesthetic of Tait products mirrors the true beauty found in the consideration of the environment lying behind each collection. With the 2022 Sustainability Statement as a manifesto, Tait continues to be a leader in its field.