Can we create objects that evolve with us and withstand the test of time? Does materiality inform an object’s value, significance, or purpose? How do objects shape our culture, and do they shape us as we shape them? These questions inspire Lewis Chapman and Nina Fudge, the Australian founders of the Amsterdam-based object and design brand, PARCTA. Here, they share their origins, reflections, and philosophies.
Aaron Alan Mitchell: Tell us about yourselves, moving to Amsterdam, and how PARCTA came to be.
Lewis Chapman: Nina and I are a couple, and business partners, who recently launched Amsterdam-based object and design brand PARCTA. We are both Australians, Nina is a brand strategy marketer, and I am a product designer, which created an interesting and fluid dynamic in how the brand was formed.
Nina Fudge: Last year, Lewis and I were fortunate to take six months away from our full-time jobs. We packed up our lives in Australia and moved to Europe, where the idea for the new brand was born. It was a bit of a daunting experience, moving to a new continent and several months later, officially launching a new object and design brand. Hosting a Pop-Up weekend in Amsterdam, we curated a space, partnered with a local wine brand, and opened our doors, nervously hoping people would show. But we were overwhelmed by the support from the local design community, the launch night was packed and the weekend was a huge success. PARCTA is all about authenticity and connection, and the launch was absolutely a testament to that. It brought together many different members of the design community, art enthusiasts and creatives, who arrived as strangers and left as people we now call good friends. For Lewis and I, the chance to work on this brand together last year was an incredible opportunity. Of course, not without its challenges, but what business is? I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for Lewis’s work; from the extensive detail and care he puts into the design process, through to the thoughtfulness of his material and manufacturing decisions, and his natural eye for detail. I think his passion is evident in his work, which is so important for a product-based brand. It’s been an incredible few months and it’s only just the beginning, we’re both very excited for what lies ahead.
AAM: How has moving to Amsterdam influenced your design work and philosophy?
LC: Initially it was the natural charm of Amsterdam which rubbed off on me, intriguing brick terraces and beautiful canals. But being in Europe has also really changed how I see people’s relationships with the objects they own. To me, design holds a lot of weight and significance in people’s lives here in Europe, they are proud of the objects they own – and so they should be, Europe has been at the forefront of design for generations. This love and respect for one’s own objects is something I wanted to embody in the brand, which is why PARCTA’s pieces hold a timeless aesthetic, and use materials and manufacturing processes which prioritise and ensure long lifespans.
AAM: What are the core principles of your design approach? What sets it apart and how does it align with your broader philosophy of industrial design?
LC: At its core, PARCTA’s design approach is driven by an inherent curiosity for exploring, examining, and interpreting the world around us. Our approach is unique in that the brand was founded at the intersection of marketer and industrial designer. Weaving together two very different disciplines, we intend to champion design innovation and creativity, supported with validation through consumer insight, meaning that our designs go through rigorous conception and testing before they are ever launched in the market. First and foremost, we pursue intriguing design, nurturing the creative freedom to playfully pursue the design process. From start to finish, each product must stack up on our core values – quality, timelessness, and authenticity. On top of this, we are sure to validate that each object is going to meet our consumers’ needs, reflecting our belief that every product should hold a purpose and place in our lives.
AAM: How do the materials you use inform your designs? Do you shape your work from the material properties, or do you work the materials into the designs you have in mind?
LC: A product’s materiality plays an important role in how a product is perceived by the user. We use the design process to allow us time to consider, experiment, and refine the design. Sometimes the materiality is clear early on in the concept, but other times there might just be a rough sketch, a form, or a detail. Sometimes I don’t initially know what product will even come of that form. So experimentation, as well as a strong understanding of materials and manufacturing, is necessary to refine the concept. On top of this, material and manufacturing decisions must prioritise durability and functionality. Wherever possible, we leverage a refined material selection, prioritising quality materials, and expert craftsmanship to ensure long object lifespans. Sometimes you might really want to make an object from a certain material, but you know the material might not be the highest quality or ages poorly over time. I think that is one of the differences between being an individual designer and designing for a brand, the brand has its own unique values and guidelines which must come first.
AAM: Is there a particular piece that you’re especially keen on and why?
NF: The Flange Vase, the latest object designed by Lewis. I love it partly due to its intriguing design, and partly as it is a reflection of our commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and timeless design. Made of 304 Stainless Steel, each Flange Vase is expertly crafted and hand-finished in the Netherlands, undergoing post-production finishing and rigorous quality testing to ensure a lifespan for years to come. The vase is a nod to our design philosophy, which prioritises timeless, high-quality design, over fast trends. Styled with some beautiful Calla Lilies, The Flange Vase is an eye-catching display that is uniquely PARCTA.
AAM: Who are your biggest influences or mentors in the design world, and how have they impacted your work?
LC: Five years ago now, in first-year design school, I completed an intensive research project into the life of Italian Industrial designer Achille Castiglioni. Alongside other influential Italian designers such as Enzo Mari, Gio Ponti, and Vico Magistretti, I really got a sense of how design could make an impact on someone. They’re the period of designers which I admire the most. Their work holds a sense of character which is always inspiring to me. I also admire the timelessness of these pieces, many still in production and loved all over the world today. When designing for PARCTA, I’m really interested in this sense of character and playfulness, in combination with a more natural, soft-modernist approach.
AAM: What trends do you see emerging in the design Industry, and how do you adapt to them?
NF: Lewis and I spent a lot of time researching and discussing this last year, the design industry is home to various trends (and its own industry challenges), it was important to us that we play a positive role within its industry. One of the largest emerging trends is the entry of younger consumers into the furniture market. They are buying their first homes, and entering the design industry for the first time. Brands play an important role in their sense of identity, and they are not afraid to boycott brands that do not align with their values, lifestyles, or aesthetic preferences. With these insights in mind, we set out to design intriguing objects for younger individuals. We pursue enduring aesthetics, designing objects which will not ebb and flow out of style, but which hold their intrigue as years go by. This is supported by our use of quality materials and expert manufacturing, laddering up to a brand that prioritises quality and values, over trend-driven consumption – one of the simpler forms of sustainability in our industry.
AAM: What do you consider to be the most important qualities for an industrial designer to have?
LC: I try hard to make the concept of a product special, sometimes the idea at the start can be quite vague. But as you go through the motions, your intentions become clear, as you start to make more and more design decisions. When designing pieces for PARCTA I always have this in mind. I would also say having a deep understanding of technology, materials, and production processes allows a real opportunity to improve people’s lives through design. Industrial designers are considered to be the Swiss army knife, so having tangible skills and a curiosity to learn, fail, and discover new processes are all great qualities for Industrial Designers to have.
AAM: What are your plans for the future, what direction do you see yourselves growing in?
LC: Nina and I are very excited about what lies ahead. As an object and design brand, the most important thing for us will always be our objects, pursuing intriguing, timeless, and high-quality design.
NF: One day, we would love for PARCTA to be more than a design brand. We hope it can have a broader impact on people’s lives and their local communities, being integrated in shared spaces that foster connection, and bringing joy into homes and in daily routines. Small, consistent steps in the right direction are the best way for us to build a sustainable strategy that is ambitious but achievable.
LC: The dream of becoming a product designer has been manifesting within me since taking a design and technology course in high school. Realising this dream through what we’re doing at PARCTA is just the beginning, and I’m just so grateful for all the support we’ve received so far. I’m excited to continue questioning the world around me, interpreting and translating that into objects people can enjoy, and which hopefully bring some joy and content into their spaces.
