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Design moves forward through curiosity. Fresh eyes, lots of questions, the exchange of ideas between those who have built and those just beginning to. Backing the next generation is how that momentum continues. King Living is proud to join Australian Design Review as co-major partner of its 30UNDER30 program, supporting the emerging designers and architects shaping the future of Australian design
ADR’s 30UNDER30 program has been discovering the best new talent since 2022.
Supporting emerging designers
Now in its fifth year, 30UNDER30 has become Australia’s leading mentorship and creative pathways program for emerging architects, innovators, interior and product designers, bringing ambitious talent together across disciplines.
For King Living, the appeal lies in what the program stands for. Backing new talent is something Founder David King feels deeply. He meets with King’s young designers every week to shape direction and trade ideas.
"These young designers are so smart, so clever. We talk all the time about design direction and what they're working on. It's powerful for the brand, because it gives us a future."
Head of Design Chris Cooke says,
“At King, we’ve always believed great design begins with curiosity. What really resonates with the program is its focus on connection, collaboration and the exchange of ideas.”
That belief runs back to the beginning. Since David King and his mother founded King Living in 1977, the philosophy has never been just about designing furniture, but about solving real problems through thoughtful innovation. Next year marks 50 years.
“The best design doesn’t stand still; it evolves alongside the people who live with it.”
Mentorship as a two-way exchange
Chris came to furniture from luxury automotive design, having mentored talent before joining the King Living design team. That non-linear path shapes how he sees the relationship between experience and fresh perspective.
“I’ve been fortunate throughout my career to work alongside incredibly talented people, and one thing I’ve learned is that the best mentorship is never one-directional.”
Experience has value, but so does a new voice with the power to challenge an assumption. The most innovative ideas rarely happen in isolation. They emerge when people from different disciplines come together, question one another and stay curious, which is exactly what 30UNDER30 sets out to encourage.
"I learn just as much from younger designers as they may learn from me, and I think that's where real innovation happens."
Longevity is the point, not the by-product
This thinking runs through everything King Living makes, where craftsmanship and engineering are held to a single standard: furniture built to last and built be kept.
"That longevity comes through innovation, and innovation doesn't always mean reinventing something new. Often, it's about asking better questions, refining the details and continually improving how people experience everyday life."
You can see it in the 1977 Sofa, a contemporary reimagining of the very first King Living sofa. Reengineered for modern living with flexible modularity and removable, machine washable covers, the timeless design has been recognised with a Good Design Award and a Red Dot Design Award.
The Delta Sofa proves the point over decades. A 2026 reimagining of the original launched in 1998, it brings smarter accessories like wireless charging tables, a contemporary curved silhouette and more ways to personalise comfort. It stays compatible with the very first designs, so owners can modernise the sofa they already have rather than replace it.