Carl Nielsen Design Accelerator
An annual initiative supporting Australian industrial designers working in sustainable design.
APPLICATIONS OPEN 2025
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Supported by a generous bequest from Carl and Judy Nielsen, Powerhouse selects one project designed in Australia that demonstrates outstanding design in sustainability.
‘This initiative holds immense value, recognising the challenges and costs involved in bringing a project to life, especially during the early stages of a career. The partnership with a prestigious institution like Powerhouse and what it brings is invaluable.’
This accelerator program is open to industrial designers up to 10 years post-graduation. Each program will be tailored to the recipient and may include industry mentorship, production or research assistance or outreach support up to the value of $25,000. Powerhouse may also seek to acquire the winning project into the Powerhouse Collection.
2024 Recipient – Mycelia House
Caity Duffus is the recipient of the 2024 Carl Nielsen Design Accelerator for her project Mycelia House. This design is a functional container and cultivation system that showcases the beauty of mushrooms and supports an ideal environment for them to be grown within the home. The 3D printed terracotta pot includes holes to mimic the natural growth patterns of mushrooms. Covered with a glass casing, the combination of terrarium with terracotta maintains the ideal humidity and air exchange for mushroom cultivation. It offers an accessible and engaging way for beginners to cultivate their own mushrooms at home, and reframes perceptions of fungi as an appealing, sustainable food source.
Duffus will receive a nine-month program of tailored support, including mentorship from industry leader and industrial designer Ed Ko and funding toward the production and distribution of her project.
‘I’m beyond excited to develop the design of Mycelia House. To receive support from Powerhouse, and the legacy of Carl Nielsen, feels surreal. This opportunity will provide me with the resources, connections and time to truly commit to making Mycelia House a real world solution, so that people grow mushrooms in their very own home.’
Caity Duffus is a Sydney-based designer with a background in Industrial Design, graduating from UNSW with Honours in 2020. She has since developed her expertise in photography, videography and branding, collaborating with individuals and brands to creatively express ideas. At Vert Design, she has honed her skills in copywriting and visual communication, both in-house and with clients. Central to all her work is a passion for storytelling, capturing moments and using the creative process as a tool for connection and reflection.
Industry Advisor
As the 2024 Carl Nielsen Design Accelerator Advisor, Ed Ko will work with Duffus to create a bespoke program tailored to the project. Ko is a multifaceted, award-winning industrial designer, lecturer, communicator and community builder dedicated to nurturing creative expression and driving positive change through industrial design.
‘Caity’s Mycelia House is a wonderful demonstration of what industrial design can be. It speaks to the intersections of design, sustainability, materiality and beauty. I am delighted at the opportunity to help bring Caity’s vision to the next level and push the boundaries of what is possible with an industrial design outlook.’
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