The evolution of the Symbiont coffee table
Awards are often seen as the finish line. For us, they’ve always been the beginning.
In 2021, Formacy Design Bureau entered the dock and the Symbiont coffee table into the IDEA Awards. Both were shortlisted, with the Symbiont receiving a highly commended award before later being featured in Inside magazine.
A Design Built Around Connection
The Symbiont didn’t begin as a single coffee table. It began as a system. The original idea explored how tables of different heights and proportions could support one another, creating a family of pieces that connect structurally and visually. That core idea became the foundation of the collection.
The Discipline of Simplicity
Contemporary design leaves nowhere to hide. Structure and joinery have to be resolved completely. Manuel and I constantly challenge each other through sketches, prototypes, and long conversations. Sometimes we pull a design apart completely, just so we can rebuild it stronger, cleaner, simpler.
Recognition Created Responsibility
Receiving a highly commended award was an honour, but it also encouraged us to keep going. Small engineering refinements strengthened the internal construction and improved durability. Not visible changes, but important ones.
One Idea Leads to Another
The Symbiont collection continues to evolve into side tables, a console in development, and new ideas still taking shape. One project often sparks the next, and that’s part of the joy of designing.
Looking Forward
The IDEA recognition wasn’t the end point. It simply reinforced a philosophy we’ve always held. Good design is never finished, it continues to evolve.
Recognition acknowledges where you’ve been. Refinement determines where you’ll go next. The most enduring designs rarely finish; they simply continue to evolve.
To explore more collaborative work by Formacy Design Bureau, visit www.formacy.com.au.