Canberra-based designer named inaugural recipient of 2025 Australian Design Commission

Tom Skeehan of Skeehan Studio has been named the inaugural recipient of the 2025 Australian Design Commission - a new three-year initiative that invites Australian designers to create a prototype of a product that embodies the future of the Australian home.

An initiative launched by Powerhouse and David Jones in 2025, the commission awards $50,000 and a nine-month creative development program to an Australian designer each year.

The Canberra-based designer's winning concept, What We Keep, features a sculptural glass cabinet that is designed to display its contents from all angles. The cabinet features textured glass, created in collaboration with Canberra Glassworks and local makers, and a wrapped timber frame.

Functioning as both artwork and furniture, the cabinet is a place to showcase meaningful items and reflect on their significance, Powerhouse commented in its winner announcement.

Powerhouse chief executive Lisa Havilah said, "We are delighted to award Tom Skeehan this prestigious commission. His work exemplifies Australian contemporary design, and Powerhouse and David Jones together are thrilled to support the next generation of Australian designers."

Reflecting on the design, Skeehan said, "The glass softens what's inside, creating a sense of quiet and care. Inside, hidden compartments and moving parts invite people to interact with it - some sections slide, pivot or unfold - turning the cabinet into a discovery box. What We Keep is not simply a cabinet. It is a meditation on how we live, what we hold onto and the emotional utility of objects in the home."

The culmination of the commission will be the creation of a prototype, set to be unveiled in 2026 at David Jones' Elizabeth Street store in Sydney. The designer will collaborate closely with the retailer on a special window display, offering a public debut of their new creation.

For more stories on Skeehan Studio, check out a profile of the studio here.