Overview

A new collaboration between UTS and IKEA will provide a local design hub for thought leaders, aspiring young designers and the community to innovate together to create a better everyday life through thoughtful design. Located at the UTS campus in Ultimo, Sydney, the IKEA x UTS Future Living Lab will push the boundaries of innovation, research and experimentation to develop new design approaches and smart technologies for the unique needs of Australian life at home. The lab will bring together IKEA expertise with academics and students from the UTS Interior Architecture and Product Design programs as well as designers, design organisations and the community to generate new ideas to produce prototypes, exhibitions and events. The lab's research on the nature of Australian domestic spaces will give IKEA a unique insight into the specific conditions that exist within the Australian context. In turn, UTS design students will work with some outstanding designers from IKEA to transform future living concepts and ecosystems into the way we will live tomorrow. Through this dialogue, the lab will investigate the future of Australian living spaces spatially, atmospherically and digitally.