Design Week comes to town

Bay City Scuba's Sarah Wilson and Gary Welsh, City of Greater Geelong's Ralph Roob and mayor Trent Sullivan ahead of the Dell Eco Reef tours. (supplied)

Geelong Design Week (GDW) will feature more than 50 exhibitions, talks, film premieres, and unique experiences on all things design, architecture, fashion, green infrastructure and more.

GDW highlights the creativity and innovation that makes Geelong the country’s first and only UNESCO Creative City of Design.

One feature of the October 19 to 29 program are snorkelling tours of The Dell Eco Reef, presented by the City, Alex Goad of Reef Design Lab & Bay City Scuba.

The reef has 46 wave units in waters off Clifton Springs and reduces beach erosion, provides wave break protection, attracts oysters and mussels and enhances the beauty of the coast.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said The Dell Eco Reef, which was designed and created by Alex Goad, contributed to making the region more climate resilient and doubled as a unique tourist attraction.

“This artificial reef combines innovative tech and ecological expertise, and really needs to be experienced in person to fully understand how it functions, its positive impact and its beauty,” he said.

“The Dell Eco Reef and other events during Geelong Design Week reflect our region’s innovative mindset, creativity and drive to find better ways to care for our people and our environment.”

The event will also celebrate the diverse range of designers from Greater Geelong with two ‘Local Designers Showcase’ events running daily, presenting jewellery, furniture at Customs House and wallpaper and lighting, furniture and fabric design at the Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct.

‘Challenges of Small Business & Design’ is another highlight, hosted by Julia Green from Greenhouse Interiors on Friday October 20 and featuring insights from Resident Avenue’s Jessica Bettenay and designer and presenter Lucy Glade-Wright.

Check out the program at geelongdesignweek.com.au