When SP01 launched at Milan Design Week in 2017 its debut drew the attention of editors at Wallpaper* magazine, Dezeen and Elle Décor. For a fledgling brand it would prove to be a galvanising moment for creative director Matt Lorrain, his team and their collection of highly crafted furniture that has gained wide international support from designers and architects, and projects from New York to Cologne, Singapore, Amsterdam, Hong Kong and Sydney.
The past five years have shaped the collection and the confidence of SP01's creative director Matt Lorrain, whose vision for a furniture company with its ethos grounded in beautifully hand-finished pieces that evoke the essence of Australia and are made with the technical finesse of Italian makers, began with designer Robin Rezzini at Metrica studio in Milan, and has continued with New Zealand-born, London-based Tim Rundle, award-winning Sydney designer Tom Fereday, and soon will include the celebrated Australian surboard designer Hayden Cox.
“One of the reasons behind the brand was that we wanted to create products that are more responsive, that aren’t stuck in defined silos such as the Italian, Scandinavian or Japanese style,” remarks Lorrain. "We wanted to do something which had a mix of international influences, much like Australian culture in general. We want our furniture to feel contemporary and new, but also for your eye to recognise small details or design gestures that may reference another era.”
The Layer House designed by Robson Rak Architects features the Jeanette Chairs and Eileen Table by SP01. Photo c/o Robson Rak Architects.
"We wanted to do something which had a mix of international influences, much like Australian culture in general. We want our furniture to feel contemporary and new, but also for your eye to recognise small details or design gestures that may reference another era.”
Matt Lorrain, Co-founder and Creative Director, SP01
The Anita Armchair with swivel base designed by Metrica for SP01. Photo c/o SP01.
SP01's co-founder and creative director Matt Lorrain. Photo c/o SP01.
The Jeanette Armchairs and Eileen Table by Tom Fereday for SP01. Photo c/o SP01.
Chee Chairs by Tom Fereday for SP01. Photo c/o SP01.
Portrait of Tom Fereday and the Chee Chairs he designed for SP01. Photo c/o SP01.
The Jeanette Chair on the terrace of the Helvetica Hotel in Zurich. Photo c/o SP01.
Max Sofa designed by Metrica for SP01. Photo c/o SP01.
Smith Table and Clarke Chair by Metrica for SP01. Photo c/o SP01.
The Royce Armchair designed by Metrica. Photo c/o SP01.
Thomas Barstool designed by Metrica for SP01. Photo c/o SP01.
Thomas Chair by Metrica for SP01. Photo c/o SP01.
Portrait of Tim Rundle in his London studio. Photo c/o Tim Rundle Studio.
The Caristo Armchair designed by Tim Rundle for SP01. Photo c/o SP01.
The Anita Armchair with rod base designed by Metrica for SP01. Photo c/o SP01.
The Max Armchair by Metrica for SP01. Photo c/o SP01.
The Layer House designed by Robson Rak Architects features the Jeanette Chairs and Eileen Table by SP01. Photo c/o Robson Rak Architects.
The dining room of the Bondi Apartment features the Smith Table and Clarke Chair. Photo c/o SP01.
The interior of Deakin University designed by Hassell architects features the Anita Armchair designed by Metrica. Photo c/o Hassell.
The Caristo Highback Armchairs feature inside the Jewel Lounge at Changi Airport Singapore. Photo c/o SP01.
The Chee Chair in blue features on the Paragon Hotel rooftop designed by Tzannes Architects. Photo c/o Tzannes Architects.
The Thomas Barstool at the Paragon Hotel Rooftop designed by Tzannes Archtiects. Photo c/o Tzannes Architects.
"The range we are developing now, uses new and recycled materials, incorporating waste that comes off the shaping room floor with resin that has different transparencies and features. It's a fascinating process that involves playing with the tint, the depth of colour and the surface finish."
Matt Lorrain, Co-founder and Creative Director, SP01
Responding to SP01’s fresh attitude and strong focus on quality, clever detailing and a richly layered palette of colours, materials and finishes, architects and designers are choosing the collections for design hotels, airport lounges, luxury cruise liners, commercial office projects, bars and restaurants around the world, from the dining room of chef Beppe De Vito’s Michelin-starred Italian restaurant in Singapore, to the interior of Apple’s new headquarters in New York City’s iconic Penn Plaza Building.
As SP01 marks its fifth year, the brand is celebrating the moment with new collaborations that include an exciting partnership with internationally renowned Australian surfboard designer Hayden Cox.
"Surfing culture crosses so many boundaries and, like us, Hayden is really interested in the design process,” remarks Lorrain. “We started working together about six months ago and we were both on the same page from the beginning. We were all talking about a particular shape they had cast in their workshop which refracted light really beautifully so that sparked the whole thing. The range we are developing now, uses new and recycled materials, incorporating waste that comes off the shaping room floor with resin that has different transparencies and features. It's a fascinating process that involves playing with the tint, the depth of colour and the surface finish."
The new collaboration with Hayden Cox is grounded in the fusion between art, design and brand that Lorrain says is exactly what SP01 is interested in. "They are more than just a surf brand, they are an Australian brand with a global ambition and for me that’s very exciting.”
The Hayden Cox collection for SP01 will include a console, table and mirrors, and is due for release in November, 2021.
SP01 is available exclusively in South East Asia from Space – Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. and Space – Australia.
