Each year at the
It goes without saying that these young architects and designers stand out from the crowd, but it isn’t easy to begin the journey and stay on the road to success when a career is new. That is where
Milliken is a global design and manufacturing leader of flooring solutions for the architecture and design community. It all began in 1865 in Minot, Maine in the US, with Seth M Milliken, an operator of a general store. With partner William Deering, the duo became woollen fabric distributors and sales agents for textile mills. In 1901, the business developed its first recycling policy, and thus the company’s commitment to sustainably-focused manufacturing began. Over the ensuing 158 years, Milliken has grown from a young prodigy to a mature company, but its regard for design, innovation, and sustainability initiatives has ever increased and is intrinsic to the ethos and ethics of the business.
Milliken’s achievements, accolades and awards are too numerous to list, as every year the company receives recognition for sustainable initiatives, business practice and innovative products. Recently, Ethisphere again has named Milliken as one of the
In 2021, Milliken launched the
It’s plain to see the journey that Milliken has undertaken and it is clear that the environment is central to the business. However, supporting young talent is also important to the company and the ‘To the Floor – The Lifeforce’ themed competition in New Zealand is a wonderful example.
The ‘To the Floor’ competition supported by Milliken and The Designers Institute of New Zealand enables a designer the opportunity to work with Milliken’s creative director, James Mfula, and the design team to develop a carpet collection that would subsequently be manufactured and sold around the globe, earning the winner royalties on sales. Receiving the top accolade was Wellington-based, textile designer Ashley Rose Oswin who created an outstanding submission that caught the eye of well-respected judges in the architecture and interior industry.
Predicated on a whirlwind tour of New Zealand’s South Island in 2020, Oswin developed a design that was inspired by circular flow, the theme of the competition. The finished design is an expression of Van Gogh’s Starry Night combining textural brushstrokes with all with a distinct New Zealand undertone. For Oswin, this was just the beginning of the story. With zoom meetings and a trip to Milliken’s Head Office in Australia to work in the design studio, the ensuing
As ‘The Prodigy’ category at the 2023 INDE.Awards supports young talent, so too does Milliken – all for the betterment of design. Together we celebrate the next generation of architects and designers and encourage those who dare to take the next step on the road to successful and fulfilling careers.
The Prodigy entrants are chosen by the Indesign Media Asia Pacific Editorial team, however, the 2023 INDE.Awards is open for entry and we encourage all architects and designers to submit to the multitude of categories on offer. See the categories
Photography: Courtesy of Milliken
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