WOOD DUST backstreets feature workshop
Monday to Friday, October 6 to 10, 2025
9.00am – 5.00pm daily
The Coburg Studios
69 Charles Street, Coburg 3058
 
 
During this Five-Day Chair Design Woodworking Workshop you will conceptualise, design and build a prototype chair guided by Michael Fortune assisted by Patrick Holcombe. If you want to build strong design development skills and create a resolved chair design, then this woodworking masterclass is for you. 
 
About the Chair Design Workshop
 
This is guaranteed deep dive covering all aspects from the history of chair design through to ergonomics, structure and the anthropometrics of comfort. Participants will each develop their own chair design through sketching, model making, full size drawing and mockups leading to working prototype. 
 
What happens in this workshop
 
Participants in this workshop will be exposed to all things chair design including historical precedents that most people may not know about such as Cubism, Biedermeier and Wharton Esherick. Michael teaches this five-day workshop regularly and it always generates some excellent “new” chairs.  Your chair design experience will include:
 
Understanding where inspiration comes from
How to interpret an idea into your own voice
The history of chair design 
The anthropometrics of comfort
Ergonomics
Chair structure
Working Out of Square 
 
Participants will learn the process of sketching, model making and full-size 3D drawing that provides working angles and squares.  From here participants make their chair mock-ups leading to the building of a working prototype. You will work with sheet materials and solid timber, cutting shapes and glue/screw your piece together. At the conclusion of the workshop there’s a chair structure "test" and critique of the designs created.
 
Preparation
 
If you have a chair design already in development arrive at this workshop with sketches and a written brief with the emphasis on who/where/when the chair design is intended. Alternatively, bring images of three chairs that you find special. Michael will work with you through the common thread of those pieces to help you identify what you are “seeing” that pleases you. This is the first step to understanding your own design pathway.
 
Tools & Equipment
 
You will need to bring a few tools to complete this workshop. You will also need to bring drawing materials such as a large visual diary and your drawing equipment. You are welcome to bring a laptop or similar device if you wish. A required tool list will be included in the Workshop Manual. 
 
When you arrive at the studios your tools should be sharp and charged and ready to go. There will be a sharpening station onsite so you can maintain your equipment during the week. Participants must also bring their own personal protection equipment (PPE) including eye and hearing protection, and dust masks. Participant should wear sturdy clothes and covered shoes suitable for woodworking. 
 
Materials & Supplies
 
All materials and supplies required to complete this design workshop are included in the ticket price.
 
Meals 
 
All meals including lunch, morning and afternoon tea are provided each day of the workshop. Participants will gather in the Coburg Studios dining area for meals alongside the participants of Christopher Schwarz and Matt Kenney’s workshops that are running concurrently during WOOD DUST backstreets. The individual dietary needs of participants will be catered for.
 
The Welcome Dinner & The Yarn
 
Your ticket to this Five Day Stick-chair course also grants you entry to the WOOD DUST backstreets Welcome Dinner & The Yarn. Details and guest speakers are still to be announced. These are evenings you don't want to miss. Become a WOOD DUST VIP and purchase your ticket today.
 
Terms & Conditions
 
Terms & Conditions apply when purchasing a ticket to attend this five-day woodworking workshop. Visit the WOOD DUST Terms & Conditions located in the website footer to learn more. If you have any questions regarding this workshop email hello@wooddustaustralia.com.au for more information.
 
About Coburg Studios
 
Coburg Studios is an arts and creative hub in the new Merri-bek Creative Precinct offering studios and creative spaces for designers & artists of all disciplines. ​Ground floor of the Coburg Studios is where all the action is with over 1000 square metres of woodworking Nirvana fully equipped to meet the needs of WOOD DUST backstreets.
 
Coburg Studios offers extensive street parking or is a 15-minute walk along Gaffney Street from Batman Station which is on the Upfield train line direct from the CBD via the northern inner suburbs of Melbourne. Gaffney Street is also serviced by bus. Pentridge Shopping Mall featuring accommodation, bars, restaurants, cinemas and all types of shopping is just down the road. Accommodation is not included in the ticket price though WOOD DUST organisers are available to advise participants on the nearby accommodation options available.
 
Who is Michael Fortune
 
Designer/maker, teacher and mentor Michael C. Fortune is one of Canada’s most respected and creative contemporary furniture masters. Since his career began over forty years ago, Fortune has become acclaimed for his innovative and resolved designs for one-of-a-kind objects in wood, commissioned residential furnishings and items in limited editions.
 
Who is Patrick Holcombe
 
Patrick Holcombe designs and builds beautiful custom timber furniture by hand right here in Melbourne. Patrick finds the journey between the initial conception and the creation of a piece of furniture an exciting experience based in his desire to create unique and beautiful things and his eagerness to solve problems.  
 
The Experience
 
This Chair Design Masterclass with Michael Fortune and Patrick Holcombe workshop is a is a unique opportunity to work alongside and learn from a true master of the craft. There are only ten places available to ensure you have all the support you need. Plus you also come along to the Welcome Dinner with all our guests, and hear all their backstories at the Yarn. Join us for an extraordinary week of woodworking.
 
Tickets on Sale
 
If you want a comprehensive woodworking design experience that results in a resolved chair design object supported by two leaders of the craft, then this Five-Day Chair Design Woodworking Workshop is for you. Tickets are on sale now, only ten places available so reserve your bench space today.