Suzy Syme & Andrew Costa
Brisbane, Queensland
Constructing a visual dialogue between the worlds of art, architecture, and design; Suzy Syme and Andrew Costa’s sculptural creations reveal layered intricacies of fluid, organic forms underpinned by logical geometric structures and assembly. They are the founding directors of a wholly-unique, innovative, multidisciplinary design ecosystem comprised of three interconnected studios: Costa Syme Architects, Tide Pool Designs, and Suzy Syme Art Couture.
Across all three studios, their work is united by a deep reverence for the natural world and a shared passion for creating emotionally resonant, future-focused pieces. The love of nature combined with the potent unification of art, architectural and design expertise forged their core mastery; harnessing the extraordinary potential of visual programming to conceive, ‘grow’ and craft organic sculptural designs in contemporary expression of natural phenomena.
Their debut collection – Coralescence – is inspired by core experiences we’ve shared exploring Australia’s stunning coral reefs. Utilising cutting-edge technology and fabrication techniques to transcend traditional boundaries between art, architecture and design, they visually programmed a complex growth algorithm capable of mimicking the patterns of differential growth found in foliose coral. The wider Coralescence collection is composed using iterations of this growth algorithm that facilitate assembly of coral-like cells across a variety of 2D and 3D forms, each coral-like cell individually grown; making them entirely unique in true biomimicry of nature’s intrinsic ever-adaptive beauty.
These systems include Tessellate HEX – an array of hexagons formed over a flat surface with coral cells ‘growing’ out of a defined contoured surface; GridShell - a 3D assembly of triangulated coral cells that can be formed over any given shell surface; Epiphyte - a cluster of individual cells embedded in layered laser-cut plywood bases; and Coralace – their innovative 3D-printed textile.
What makes their work truly unique is the synergy between disciplines; most potently expressed through their innovative, creative use of cutting-edge design and fabrication technologies. Rather than merely replicating the natural world, they capture its underlying rhythms and structures; distilling them into evocative forms that invite connection and wonder. This fusion of nature, mathematics, and advanced fabrication results in design that is simultaneously timeless and cutting-edge; cultivating a distinctly Australian voice that celebrates creativity, openness, and Country.
Internationally, they will represent themselves as dynamic Australian designers and creators, showcasing a multi-disciplinary practice that seamlessly blends technological innovation with intrinsic creativity and a deep respect for Country. They founded Tide Pool Designs seeking to share the joys that nature-evoking biophilic design can bring; with the aim of enriching the lives of others in kind while provoking conversations on the importance of preserving their natural world.
“We have thus far been privileged to share our creations with Australians up and down our East Coast; “it would be an immense honour to be able to share our creations, processes, and love of their stunning Australian landscapes with a phenomenal international audience in Osaka.” - Suzy Syme & Andrew Costa
Website | Instagram
Image credits
Photo of Suzy Syme and Andrew Costa with their 3D printed artwork Coral Arbour. Photography by Shuwei Zhang. Image courtesy of Suzy Syme and Andrew Costa.
First Light, 2025, Suzy Syme & Andrew Costa. Biopolymer and silk organza. 200 x 80 x 50cm. Image courtesy of Suzy Syme & Andrew Costa.
