Sydney-based architecture, design, furniture and lighting practice Daniel Boddam Studio open their first gallery showroom in Melbourne’s Collingwood.
Designer Daniel Boddam and his namesake Sydney studio have made Melbourne the home of their inaugural gallery space. Located in a historic shopfront on Collingwood’s vibrant Smith Street, the gallery presents an ever-changing curation of the designer’s furniture and lighting layered with complementary object d’art. Open by appointment, the gallery staff offer a personalised design service with the opportunity to explore materials, finishes and custom options.
Produced in partnership with Daniel Boddam Studio
Geo drum, Booham chair and Oscar Cabinet by Daniel Boddam Studio.
The Totem light, Wave sofa and Pipi coffee table by Daniel Boddam Studio.
Daniel Boddam Studio’s new chapter explores their approach to design on varying scales. “We envisioned a serene, inviting space where visitors can immerse themselves in our core values – simplicity, originality, relationships, and respect – and appreciate our commitment to artisanal quality,” Daniel says. Favouring the building for its location, the high ceilings, period cornices, ceiling strapwork and abundant natural light were also appealing.
When visualising the space, the designer wanted the interiors to be calm and understated, directing attention to each piece’s craftsmanship and textural materiality. “A clear parameter was to reduce visual clutter while retaining period and site-specific features,” Daniel says. “By painting the walls and ceilings in a lime wash paint and matching it with the concrete floor, we have created a cocooning environment and a welcome retreat,” he says.
Prism Oval table and Hinterland dining chair by Daniel Boddam Studio.
Celeste wall sconce – travertine, Hinterland stool, and Leaf sconce by Daniel Boddam Studio.
The curation of products is highly considered, meaning each piece has a place individually and is in gentle dialogue with others. “A key detail is that the gallery deliberately allows plenty of void space around the products to enable them to breathe,” Daniel says. This also allows clients to understand the story behind the designs and the custom options available.
The Prism collection launch coincided with the opening of the gallery space. A series of organic, crystalline table configurations made from sustainably sourced timber, the Prism collection reflects Daniel Boddam Studio’s preoccupation with ‘sacred geometry’. As the first collection to be unveiled within the context of a physical gallery, Daniel says they’ve enjoyed hearing client feedback and seeing how clients respond to the collection, touching and feeling them in person. “I want people to feel, touch, sit and experience my pieces in real life, and the gallery provides this platform,” Daniel maintains.
The gallery space also invites the design-discerning to experience each piece as part of a setting, such as a living or dining-inspired collective. “I wanted the space to feel more like a gallery or residence and less like a showroom,” Daniel says. “The gallery is a moment of stillness, a time to pause, and a refuge from the dynamic urban streetscape outside.”
Daniel Boddam Gallery is located at 46 Smith St, Collingwood, VIC 3066, and can be visited by appointment only.
Lina chairs and the M-table by Daniel Boddam Studio.
