The 'Aura Illuminated' modular seat is an innovative design that combines a simple 'squashed sphere' design concept with modern technology. Designed by Henriette Gothe-Ellis, a graduate of the UNSW College of Fine Arts, 'Aura Illuminated' developed from Gothe-Ellis's final year project in 2002 for which she designed a seat - the 'Aura Original' - inspired by the form of the nautilus shell. Interest in the original prototype prompted Gothe-Ellis to seek manufacturing advice from her partner, boatbuilder Roger Veitch, and resulted in the formation of the creative partnership of 2Design.
A multi-functional seating system that suits a wide range of applications, the 'Aura Illuminated' can be stacked or placed together in numerous configurations and can be used as indoor or outdoor seating. The seat is manufactured using MDPE (Medium Density Polyethylene) a durable, UV stabilised, weather resistant and easily recycled plastic. The seat weighs only 6kg but can withstand up to 250kg without deforming or breaking. The sculptural shape has no sharp edges and is illuminated within from an integrated lighting system using the Australian Design Award winner NEOZ cordless lighting technology which allows for a portable, dimmable and rechargeable soft ambient illumination.
The 'Aura Illuminated' won an Australian Design Award in 2004 and was displayed in the 2004 Australian Design Awards Powerhouse Museum selection. It has won numerous other awards and accolades and has been widely displayed, both locally and overseas. The seat reflects the creativity of the collaborative efforts of two young Australian designers who have drawn on the inspiration of nature while utlising new millenium technology to create a functional innovative design. Henriette Gothe-Ellis and Roger Veitch describe the Aura seating system in their Australian Design Award submission: "...designed with comfort in mind. The sculptural shell structure and subtle curves mould to the body enhancing the experience and pleasure of this multi-functional object...Aura is a new take on communal seating designed to enhance interaction between user and object."
Henriette Gothe-Ellis and Roger Veitch designed and manufactured the Aura Illuminated seat at Rozelle, Sydney in 2004. It is roto-moulded from MDPE (medium density polyethylene) and distributed Australia wide and internationally to the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan.
The concept for the 'Aura Illuminated' had its genesis in the 'Aura Original', designed by Henriette Gothe-Ellis and made in fibreglass for her UNSW College of Fine Arts final year project in 2002. The Aura Original was chosen by Object Gallery for 'New Design 2003' where it won its first award. With the subsequent interest shown in her design, Henriette teamed up with Roger Veitch, a boat builder by trade, to form 2Design. This collaboration saw the manufacturing details fine-tuned and the successful production of the Aura Illuminated marketed to bars, clubs and resorts.
The 'Aura Illuminated' has won a number of awards -- 2003: sponsorship for Tokyo Designer Block, IDEE; Conceptual Design Award, Furniture Industry Association of Australia (FIAA); New Design Award 2003, Object. 2004: Australian Design Awards, Standards Australia; Powerhouse Museum Selection; Commercial Design Award, FIAA; The State of Design Shortlist, The State of Design, Melbourne; Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards Finalist.
The 'Aura Illuminated' has also been showcased in a number of local and international design events -- 2003: Issey Miyake boutique, Tokyo Designers Block; 100% Design London; VIVID Melbourne; The Sydney International Furniture Show; 'New Design', Object Sydney. 2004: Seoul Design Festival; Tokyo Designers Week; Australian Design Awards Sydney; Powerhouse Museum Sydney; State of Design in Melbourne; Workshopped V, Sydney; Furniture is Fashion Canberra; Bar Show Sydney; Gwangju Design Biennale South Korea; Designex, Sydney; Australian International Furniture Fair. 2005: Australia Day Exhibition Seoul.
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