Powerhouse and David Jones Australian Design Commission
Powerhouse and David Jones have established an annual Australian Design Commission. This partnership aims to invest into the next generation of Australian designers by providing them with the opportunity to design a prototype of a new product for the contemporary Australian home.
The selected designer will receive AU$50,000 and a 9-month timeframe to develop the prototype. The successful commission will receive support from Powerhouse that includes curatorial support, access to the Powerhouse Collection, access to workshop space, digital content development, and marketing and communications support. David Jones will offer support through mentorship, retail media support and/or social media support. The prototype will be featured in a window display at the David Jones Elizabeth St Store in Sydney.
2025 Recipient
Tom Skeehan, Canberra-based designer and founder of SKEEHAN Studio, brings a unique, material-driven design philosophy to his work. For over a decade, he has been pushing the boundaries of industrial design through speculative and curatorial projects. Skeehan’s winning concept, What We Keep, is a sculptural glass cabinet that presents the personal and emotional things we choose to keep in our homes. It is designed to be viewed from all sides, as both artwork and furniture — a place to display special objects to reflect on their meaning. The concept features a wrapped timber frame with textured glass made in collaboration with Canberra Glassworks and local makers.
David Jones
David Jones is Australia's leading premium department store retailer. The iconic department store first opened its doors in 1838 with the mission to sell the best and most exclusive goods. David Jones has 41 locations across Australia and New Zealand as well as davidjones.com in Australia and is the oldest continuously operating department store in the world still trading under its original name.
The David Jones Archive includes thousands of artefacts and documents, some dating back to as early as the 1830s, representing David Jones' remarkable history — a history that is embedded into the cultural and social identity of Australia.
The archive has been cared for by David Jones since its inception 186 years ago and now this generous and internationally significant donation to the Powerhouse Museum will ensure its digitised, exhibited, researched and accessible in perpetuity.
David Jones Australian Design Commission
Supporting the design of a product prototype for the Australian home.
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