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Volker Haug Studio, a Melbourne-based design practice, celebrates two decades of crafting lighting that blurs the line between functional object and sculptural art. Rooted in a philosophy of material curiosity, hands-on making, and continuous experimentation, the studio has evolved its distinctive approach from early solo explorations to celebrated international collections. Through an unwavering commitment to balancing playfulness with precision and notable collaborations - such as the "Me and You" collection with Flack Studio - Volker Haug Studio continues to illuminate the global design stage with pieces that resonate with both local identity and universal relevance.
As Volker Haug Studio celebrates its 20th anniversary, what moments or milestones best capture the evolution of your design philosophy?
Two decades in, our philosophy feels more distilled, but it still comes from the same place: curiosity and a love of making. In the early days, it was just me in my ideas and exploring the abilities and limitations of materials. That spirit of experimentation has never really left; it’s just evolved. Together, we’ve learned how to balance playfulness with precision and how to let materials guide us while refining the craft around them.
Key milestones range from large scale commissions, awards and international presentations, but also the steady rhythm of collaboration and discovery: the first time we worked with another studio, the first collection that travelled overseas, the quiet days in the workshop when something unexpected comes to life. Those are the moments that define who we are and how we’ve grown.
Your work often blurs the line between function and art. How do you approach that balance in your creative process?
We approach every collection, whether bespoke or part of the catalogue, with a focus on materiality, craft and experimentation. We begin by exploring what the material can do, then refine the design so that it is both beautiful and purposeful. The goal is to create objects that invite interaction while retaining a sculptural presence.
Experimentation seems central to your practice. What does “experimentation” mean to the studio, and how do you foster it across projects?
Experimentation is at the heart of our studio - it’s about curiosity, risk-taking, and discovery. We foster it by giving space to test ideas with other designers and makers, and by allowing materials and processes to guide us. Sometimes the most unexpected results lead to our most iconic pieces.
The signature “brass offcuts” of our und Messing range were born entirely by accident. While reviewing a prototype for an unrelated light, we turned it over and noticed a series of small metal tabs inside the housing - functional pieces our manufacturer had added purely for assembly, never meant to be visible. That overlooked detail became the spark for a defining feature of the und Messing collection.
The Me and You collection explores duality and dialogue. How did those themes shape the design language of the pieces?
Me and You was shaped by two design perspectives in constant dialogue. Flack Studio considers how each piece lives in space, and our studio pushes the material and technical expression of every form. That exchange created a language of contrast and balance, from soft curves against structured geometries to materials like fibreglass, brass and cast glass working together to create pieces that feel both distinct and deeply connected.
What was the collaborative dynamic like with Flack Studio? How did their spatial sensibility influence the final outcome?
Flack Studio's expertise in spatial experience encouraged us to think beyond the object itself and consider how our designs inhabit and define a space. The result is a collection that in my opinion perfectly balances their spatial vision with our material and craft-driven sensibility.
As a Melbourne-based studio with growing international recognition, how do you balance local identity with global relevance?
Melbourne’s collaborative and experimental design culture gives us a strong sense of identity, but we’ve always aimed to translate that into work that speaks to a broader audience. Our approach is grounded in material exploration and hands-on making, yet the stories we tell and the forms we create are designed to resonate universally, allowing the work to feel authentically of its place while relevant on the global stage.
Looking ahead, what unexplored ideas or territories are you most excited to illuminate in the next decade?
We’re excited to explore new lighting designs across a number of new categories, with two launches ready for Milan Design Week as well as throughout next year. We’re also eager to continue experimenting and further expanding the dialogue between craft, materials, and space.