Furniture designer Adam Goodrum is our only local to have a piece in production – his Stitch chair – by celebrated Italian brand, Cappellini. Shortlisted for this year’s prestigious Rigg Design Prize at the National Gallery of Victoria, he’s found home opposite a housing commission block, in Redfern. Adam invites us in to look around.

“When we purchased this terrace it had been a corner milk bar with a residence up top, but had become incredibly dilapidated. There’d been a fire through it, and there were termites throughout. We’d been living on the coast, but really felt it was time to buy in advance of having our first child – so we spent our entire life savings on a dump! There’s a grittiness to the neighbourhood – but also an honesty and a real sense of community amongst the neighbours.”

“I did the renovation work myself, and we basically squatted on site for the first 18 months. I gutted the whole place leaving only the external walls standing. The ground floor became a combined workshop/showroom. It’s great being able to stumble downstairs and start the day anew. Sometimes it feels a bit small, my prototypes take up space but generally it works really well.”

“My design process usually involves hand making mini models. I like playing with cardboard, rather than CAD. Sometimes a project may take 10 iterations until I’m happy. I get real pleasure from this hands-on approach, it means the pieces are much more real to me from the outset. I think you can miss opportunities with designing on the computer, happy accidents can result in a useful discovery. Hand making for me helps resolve things.”

“I have a new series in development for CULT to follow up on the Loom, Fat Tulip and Aran pieces from last year. We’re trying to create a slightly more affordable range whilst still maintaining the quality of finish. Once of the great things about working with CULT is, as well as the innovative nature of the company, the fact that I can ride my bike to their Chippendale Showroom for  meetings. I also peddle to production meetings with my carpenter, J P Finsbury, an incredible craftsman. Cycling is mode of transport of choice, and it’s so easy when you live and work in Redfern.”

Adam Goodrum is shortlisted for this year’s prestigious Rigg Design Prize at the National Gallery of Victoria, to be judged later this year. His guide to eating and drinking in Redfern:

Arcadia Liquors, 7 Cope Street Redfern – Local brews in a great ambience, terrific courtyard.

The Bearded Tit, taxidermied animals, circus paraphernalia, and a month-ling artist-in-residence program make this a lively, creative watering hole.

The Ragland Café 129 Ragland Street, Waterloo.

Hair by Tommy J 112 George St, Redfern NSW 2016 – “Live Fast, Die Lookin’ Sharp”, their motto pretty much sums it up!