Voom by Adam Goodrum

I grew up in a beachside suburb of Perth in the 80s where there was a strong backyard making culture which sparked my interest in creating things with my friends like cubby houses, billy carts, and surfboard trolleys. I also loved playing with Lego which fostered an early appreciation of form, colour, and simple mechanics. In high school, my love for art and mathematics led me to pursue a career in fine arts, however, I soon discovered industrial design which seemed to unite my passions for art, math, and making. I studied industrial design at the University of Technology, Sydney, and have been working in product design ever since.

Modern Australian design is characterized by relaxed aesthetics, functionality, sustainability, and a deep respect for the country's natural environment, drawing inspiration from the diverse cultures and traditions that have come together to create the Australian identity. Australian designers are known for their innovative use of locally sourced and sustainable materials, practicality, durability, and products which are built to last. Our designs reflect a laid-back, easy going, and inventive culture.

Voom is designed for versatility and modularity. Produced for Tait, a staunchly Australian-made brand whose friendly designs reflect our relaxed culture, one unit can function as a single armchair or multiple units pulled together can create sofas of different lengths or arrangements, with or without the cushions. Sheet metal was a natural construction choice because Alexander Calder’s abstract, folded sheet metal sculptures influenced the collection’s design, and aluminium is both recyclable and robust.

Material selection was crucial in creating the Voom collection; I was inspired by Mokum’s outdoor bouclé. I thought it would be perfect for celebrating the collection as the bouclé juxtaposed with the metal, providing a simple and robust aesthetic. The Tait team opted to exclusively use Mokum’s Sole Bouclé and Elba fabrics as the upholstery needed to be high performance to withstand Australia's harsh conditions, but also provide luxurious textures both indoors and outdoors.

My design philosophy is that every object must justify its existence. Each project must be interrogated before production, taking into account factors such as function, aesthetics, ergonomics, efficient manufacturing, sustainability, and price point. The Voom collection is unique in the Tait collection and the broader market, fulfilling its purpose through its versatility, modularity, and use of high-performance materials.