Our Studio
Humanity is not separate from nature. We are part of complex natural systems, yet the environments and objects we create often reinforce the perception that we are separate from the systems we operate within.
Through considered observation, design, materials and interdisciplinary thinking we challenge that separation. We develop environments and outcomes that encourage greater awareness of our place within natural systems.
Our Studio
Humanity is not separate from nature. We are part of complex natural systems, yet the environments and objects we create often reinforce the perception that we are separate from the systems we operate within.
Through considered observation, design, materials and interdisciplinary thinking we challenge that separation. We develop environments and outcomes that encourage greater awareness of our place within natural systems.
II
Nature & Humanity
We believe humanity is inseparable from natural systems. However the environments we create can reinforce a perceived separation from them. We seek to challenge this distinction through considered integration of natural systems, processes and qualities into the design process and its subsequent outcomes.
III
Nature-informed design
We strive toward a world where nature informs how we design, while also playing a pivotal role in the outcomes humanity creates, reducing the divide between what is built and grown.
IV
Grounded aesthetics
Our work seeks to ground people with their environments, developing outcomes that encourage observation and influence how we experience our surroundings. The environments we create reflect what humanity chooses to value. Therefore, why choose to live in an ugly world when nature has done the groundwork? We are orchestrating the type of environments we desire, why not recognise the functionality of aesthetics.
I
Human nature
Humans are inherently curious beings. We seek to understand and experience the world around us, and our persistent attraction to natural environments suggests that our relationship with nature is not merely cultural or aesthetic, but deeply grounded in how we choose to experience and engage with the world.
Principles
Principles
I
Human nature
Humans are inherently curious beings. We seek to understand and experience the world around us, and our persistent attraction to natural environments suggests that our relationship with nature is not merely cultural or aesthetic, but deeply grounded in how we choose to experience and engage with the world.
II
Nature & Humanity
We believe humanity is inseparable from natural systems. However the environments we create can reinforce a perceived separation from them. We seek to challenge this distinction through considered integration of natural systems, processes and qualities into the design process and its subsequent outcomes.
IV
Grounded aesthetics
Our work seeks to ground people with their environments, developing outcomes that encourage observation and influence how we experience our surroundings. The environments we create reflect what humanity chooses to value. Therefore, why choose to live in an ugly world when nature has done the groundwork? We are orchestrating the type of environments we desire, why not recognise the functionality of aesthetics.
III
Nature-informed design
We strive toward a world where nature informs how we design, while also playing a pivotal role in the outcomes humanity creates, reducing the divide between what is built and grown.
V
Material harmony
The selection of materials is not simply a matter of choosing what performs a function, but how its context, relationships and histories contribute to the outcome as a whole. Material harmony creates a simplicity that emerges from a complexity that often goes unnoticed, resulting in a contribution to its environment, rather than detracting from them.
VI
Nurturing cycles
When objects are designed to be temporary, we become accustomed to treating them as replaceable. With a lack of lasting value, our relationship with objects becomes increasingly detached. We believe that designing for longevity, repair, inheritance and continued use can challenge this cycle, cultivating a greater sense of care and respect — not only for objects, but potentially for the environments and communities. Why shouldn’t we design things that are worthy of being cared for.
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Ecology
Systems are shaped by the relationships between their participants. We recognise that humanity does not exist outside of natural systems, but operates within them. Therefore when we create, we become part of the systems in which they exist, forming relationships with materials, environments and processes that extend beyond the outcome itself.
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Symphonic systems
Our methodology is shaped by an “and” rather than “or” approach. We recognise that distinct materials, processes, environments and perspectives can offer different forms of understanding while contributing to a greater whole. Like a symphony, coherence does not require uniformity; it emerges through the relationships between distinct elements.
VIII
Symphonic systems
Our methodology is shaped by an “and” rather than “or” approach. We recognise that distinct materials, processes, environments and perspectives can offer different forms of understanding while contributing to a greater whole. Like a symphony, coherence does not require uniformity; it emerges through the relationships between distinct elements.
VII
Ecology
Systems are shaped by the relationships between their participants. We recognise that humanity does not exist outside of natural systems, but operates within them. Therefore when we create, we become part of the systems in which they exist, forming relationships with materials, environments and processes that extend beyond the outcome itself.
VI
Nurturing cycles
When objects are designed to be temporary, we become accustomed to treating them as replaceable. With a lack of lasting value, our relationship with objects becomes increasingly detached. We believe that designing for longevity, repair, inheritance and continued use can challenge this cycle, cultivating a greater sense of care and respect — not only for objects, but potentially for the environments and communities. Why shouldn’t we design things that are worthy of being cared for.
V
Material harmony
The selection of materials is not simply a matter of choosing what performs a function, but how its context, relationships and histories contribute to the outcome as a whole. Material harmony creates a simplicity that emerges from a complexity that often goes unnoticed, resulting in a contribution to its environment, rather than detracting from them.
Studio Founder
Keenan Haagen is a Melbourne-based multidisciplinary artist and designer whose practice investigates how perception shapes our understanding of natural systems across micro and macro scales, examining humanity as an inseparable part of these systems. He develops material outcomes through sustained observation and investigation into the histories embedded within materials. Each outcome forms part of an ongoing inquiry, revealing overlooked relationships that invite viewers to reconsider humanity's place within natural systems.
I believe that our observations shape our understanding of the world. My practice is grounded in sustained observation of natural systems, where materials carry histories, relationships and processes that reveal our place within these systems.
Each outcome represents a considered response to a broader conceptual and material inquiry. Through continual observation, investigation and questioning, my process develops an inquiry across materially distinct outcomes rather than toward definitive resolution.
Through design, these investigations extend beyond individual outcomes and into the environments we inhabit. Aesthetics serve as a means of encouraging us to pause, observe and engage with the world around us. The outcomes invite a deeper appreciation of the relationships through which humanity coexists with natural systems.
The environments we create reflect what humanity chooses to value. We are orchestrating the world we want to live in. Why not use design to create environments that encourage us to observe nuances, appreciate complexity and reconnect with the natural systems within which we exist?
Nature is a designer, of systems, an artist of submissive complexity that is foundational to the beauty of the world we encounter. It is therefore the greatest source of inspiration one could ask for
— Keenan Haagen
Studio Founder
Keenan Haagen is a Melbourne-based multidisciplinary artist and designer whose practice investigates how perception shapes our understanding of natural systems across micro and macro scales, examining humanity as an inseparable part of these systems. He develops material outcomes through sustained observation and investigation into the histories embedded within materials. Each outcome forms part of an ongoing inquiry, revealing overlooked relationships that invite viewers to reconsider humanity's place within natural systems.
I believe that our observations shape our understanding of the world. My practice is grounded in sustained observation of natural systems, where materials carry histories, relationships and processes that reveal our place within these systems.
Each outcome represents a considered response to a broader conceptual and material inquiry. Through continual observation, investigation and questioning, my process develops an inquiry across materially distinct outcomes rather than toward definitive resolution.
Through design, these investigations extend beyond individual outcomes and into the environments we inhabit. Aesthetics serve as a means of encouraging us to pause, observe and engage with the world around us. The outcomes invite a deeper appreciation of the relationships through which humanity coexists with natural systems.
The environments we create reflect what humanity chooses to value. We are orchestrating the world we want to live in. Why not use design to create environments that encourage us to observe nuances, appreciate complexity and reconnect with the natural systems within which we exist?