In a world where we encounter a shortage of resources and ever-changing social conditions, the lifespan of design must be reinvestigated and expanded to consider a wider range of materials and fabrication techniques. ‘Availability’ aims to connect designers with traditional technologies to engage with and consider the environmental impact of every project. How might we employ new approaches to fabrication with consideration to life-cycle, future functionality and environmental footprint? Why mine something native and diminishing when we can reuse, reappropriate and reconfigure pre–existing components, materials and systems?

‘Availability’ invites designers to respond to the theme by designing and fabricating a chair. Adapting proprietary components, reinventing existing systems and exploring ‘off-the-shelf’ materials, emphasis is placed upon on how available materials can be reimagined and used in inventive ways. The brief calls for low-tech assembly of high-tech material or vice versa, recycled, waste, bio and readily available materials requiring minimal intervention and customisation.