Amidst unprecedented global disruptions and uncertainty, six New Zealand design companies have banded together to create the first independent exhibition of foreign homeware design in the United States since the Covid-19 pandemic in what they say is the most comprehensive showing of New Zealand design in the United States in modern history — The New Zealand Design Pavilion.

The design pavilion debuted in San Francisco on June 2o and will run until July 1 to coincide with San Francisco Design Week. The exhibition brings together six brands - Resident, Città, James Dunlop Textiles, David Trubridge, Noho and Nodi – who have on display a curated assortment of furniture, lighting, flooring and textile products across a 700m2 installation space in Shack 15.

The show combines themes of coastal, forest, and alpine landscapes, taking invited guests on a sensory journey of our backyard, relaying stories of our way of life, the importance of the natural world and protecting what we have through sustainable design. The presentation aims to illustrate how to achieve a critical balance between work and home life, and how great design must be approachable, inspiring, dynamic and sustainable.

“It is often said that New Zealanders are the world’s friendliest people. That’s in no small part due to our deep-rooted belief in the value of people. …We believe in elevating humanity. Creating spaces that are good for people and connecting them with our natural world. …We all have much more in common than we think, and this New Zealand Design Pavillion represents the power of our collective lens on the world. This initiative is a deliberate progression from the traditional trade fair concept, through which we aim to illuminate our creativity and ingenuity, and most importantly, share it with others. New Zealand’s pioneering spirit is alive and well.”

^{-Scott Bridgens, Co-Founder, Resident.}

The New Zealand Design Pavilion has been designed in partnership with San Francisco-based creative agency Aditions and with support from New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Te Taurapa Tūhono.