Commission for a custom table and chairs for the Speaker's Dining Room
16 June 2023 Invitation for Expressions of Interest
The Speaker’s Dining Room is a protocol meeting room for distinguished guests including visiting dignitaries from other parliaments and Heads of Government. The room is located in Parliament House and is available for use by all Members of the Parliament of Victoria.
The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is inviting proposals from furniture designers interested in producing a custom dining table and chairs for use in the Speaker’s Dining Room.
This commission is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the heritage and fabric of Parliament House through the production of a contemporary and comfortable dining room set that will become a distinctive feature item within the Speaker's Dining Room.
What are we looking for?
DPS is facilitating this commission for the production of a custom dining table and eight accompanying chairs.
The final dining table and chairs will be contemporary while also being sensitive to their environment and paying homage to the heritage character of the room and Parliament House in general.
The furniture should be beautiful, elegant and appropriate, and have unity with the design elements within the Member’s Dining Room. The table should complement the existing materials and design elements of the space, including the articulated heritage window and door glazing, brass, copper, warm timber panelling and heritage ceiling.
The table and chairs should be well constructed and be versatile for different uses: warm and intimate dining, business meetings or for private function setting. The materials used should be environmentally sustainable and durable enough to last for a long time.
Further information on this commission can be found in the Invitation for Expressions of Interest document linked on this page.
How can I register my interest in being selected for this project?
Furniture designers interested in this project should submit an expression of interest containing a proposal for the work and some recent examples of similar work they have undertaken.
Expressions of Interest should be emailed to josephine.guevarra@parliament.vic.gov.au. To be considered, all applications must be received before 5pm on Friday 30 June 2023.
A selection panel will assess the expressions of interest and shortlist three designers to design and provide a prototype, which will be paid as per the quote provided. The panel will assess the prototypes and select a winning applicant to complete the commission.
Further details, including guidance on what you should include in your Expression of Interest and the criteria for selection can be found in the formal Invitation for Expressions of Interest document, which can be downloaded using the link at the top of this page.
