South Drawn creates lighting with purpose, designed to endure in form, material and feeling. Known for their sculptural, material-led approach, the studio explores the intersection of sustainability and longevity through thoughtful design, honest materials and local assembly. The Husk Collection is the latest expression of that intent: a modular family of lights, crafted in their Melbourne workshop, where sustainable lighting design and refined detailing come together.
Designed from the ground up, the collection includes three lighting formats, a pendant, wall sconce and floor light. Each is available in two diameters and finished in Slate Black or Pumice White. Whether suspended above a dining table or casting a soft glow across a corridor, each piece offers a quiet architectural presence that integrates effortlessly with both residential and commercial interiors. Sculptural yet restrained, Husk reflects a holistic approach to product design where material innovation meets thoughtful function.
One of the defining elements of the Husk Collection is Zeoform Micro Pulp (ZMP), a biodegradable material made in Australia from recycled industrial paper and hemp. It is formed without plastics, glues or chemical binders, relying instead on water and energy to bond the fibres into a strong, machinable structure. The result is a material with a warm, tactile surface that reflects both its natural origins and technical potential.
It’s not just how the material is made that catches attention, but how it behaves throughout production. ZMP responds like clay when formed and performs like timber once cured. These shifting properties required a reconsideration of traditional lighting construction. South Drawn refined each curve, thickness and join to align with the material’s behaviour, arriving at a resolved design that holds both architectural clarity and circular intent.
The studio worked closely with Byron Bay-based Zeoform throughout the development process. As the material continued to evolve, so too did the design. This kind of reciprocal development is rarely seen in product design and underscores the studio’s focus on integrating sustainability into the foundation of the collection.
Each Husk light is paired with a hand-slumped glass diffuser, selected for its clarity, weight and visual permanence. The layered light it produces highlights the fibre texture of the ZMP shade and contributes to a soft, ambient atmosphere. This combination of recycled composite and glass, supported by precision aluminium hardware and long-life LED modules, creates a material story that feels tactile, elevated and enduring.
More than a source of illumination, each piece invites a tactile and spatial experience. The gentle glow through layered glass, the surface texture of the shade, and the stillness of the form offer a calm presence that feels considered, even when not in use.
The system’s modular approach allows the shade and diffuser to be shared across formats, reducing material variation and simplifying servicing or recovery. Key components, such as the protective aluminium collar, were designed for durability and ease of assembly. Every element has been considered with the full lifecycle in mind, making it possible to disassemble, repair or upgrade without waste.
As Zeoform gains momentum as a next-generation biomaterial, its use in the Husk Collection illustrates how sustainable materials can be applied to contemporary design without aesthetic compromise. The result is a lighting collection that integrates environmental performance with material sensitivity and refined manufacturing.
Whether placed as a quiet gesture within a home or used as a sculptural presence in a commercial interior, Husk offers a warm architectural character that lives lightly and lasts well. From concept to production, the collection reflects a studio approach grounded in curiosity, integrity and craft.
The Husk Collection is lighting designed for the long term. It adapts, endures and returns with time—offering a resolved example of how thoughtful Australian design and responsible materials can shape the future of interiors. In a quiet way, it reminds us that lasting design is not only about how something performs, but how it makes us feel over time.
If you are interested in learning more about the process of creating Husk Collection, browsing their product range which includes their Point Five Wall Sconce or placing an order, you can head to the South Drawn website. Keep up to date on South Drawn's product range via the South Drawn Instagram.
This article is part of CO-architecture's Sustainability Month where we champion the Architects, Designers and Brands helping to shape Australia in this space. View all of the Sustainability articles here.
