The Nave Collection by Skeehan for Stylecraft

Coinciding with a new creative direction for Canberra-based design studio SKEEHAN, the Nave collection, designed exclusively for Stylecraft, draws design inspiration from the traditional nautical construction process in order to offer increased flexibility to modern working environments.

At its core, SKEEHAN is an industry-leading design studio with a distinguishing focus on how the human experience shapes innovative design. Since its foundation in 2011 by Tom Skeehan, the studio has collaborated on numerous intuitive, honest projects, each representing the solution to a distinct design problem. The studio encompasses a dedicated team of research and design experts, working collaboratively to develop exciting narratives through design. “We’re truly committed to transparency in our processes, materials and partnerships, guiding projects through a constant exchange of ideas,” says Tom.

At its core, SKEEHAN is an industry-leading design studio with a distinguishing focus on how the human experience shapes innovative design.

The Nave collection, SKEEHAN’s second exclusive collaboration with Stylecraft following 2016’s hugely successful Hoshi collection, is designed to be scaled to any project. “Inspiration initially was from traditional architectural drawing of churches and timber-framed boats,” explains Tom, “analysing construction methods and engineering to build an incredibly efficient durable form.” Consisting of an armchair, lounges, tables, shelves, stools and a modular seating system, the comprehensive Nave collection is centred around a material-driven narrative that celebrates flexibility and quality Australian manufacturing.

The visible steel frame, a constant presence throughout the Nave collection, is a celebration of materiality, whilst offering increased customisation for unique frame and upholstery combinations for the end user. “Stylecraft came to us interested in developing a range of products suited to the commercial sector,’’ explains Tom. “The studio had previously designed the award-winning Hoshi collection for Stylecraft–focused on solid timber and Australian manufacturing, [it was] a very honest and timeless collection, which allowed SKEEHAN to build a strong relationship with Stylecraft.” Expanding on the theme of flexibility, every piece in the Nave collection can be arranged into various undulating shapes and easily re-configured to suit the needs of the modern office, education facility or public space, an element that is especially pertinent considering the changing nature of collaborative working and learning environments.

Since its foundation in 2011 by Tom Skeehan, the studio has collaborated on numerous intuitive, honest projects, each representing the solution to a distinct design problem.

The Nave collection is another beautiful addition to SKEEHAN’s work with Stylecraft and is ultimately an extension of the philosophy upon which the studio was founded – the creation of “thoughtful products, spaces and experiences, each uniquely tailored to the people and environments they are intended for,” says Tom. The entire Nave collection, designed and manufactured in Australia exclusively for Stylecraft, is the functional solution to the problem of adapting to the ever-changing nature of collective spaces.

The studio encompasses a dedicated team of research and design experts, working collaboratively to develop exciting narratives through design.