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  • home
  • about
  • services
    • exhibitions
    • interiors
    • displays
    • centre essentials
  • contact

Displays

Idea to Installation

From a single fixture to a themed set, Synthesis can design, develop, produce and install custom displays that enhance the presentation of your product or objects of interest.

Synthesis offers the following services to assist with your display needs:

+  Concept design
+  Build methodology
+  3D design modelling
+  Project management
+  Engineering
+  Prototypes
+  Off-site fabrication
+  On-site build services
+  Installation
+  Transport, logistics and storage

interiors
centre essentials
Synthesis Design + Build

Synthesis are specialist designers and builders of museum, gallery, trade & consumer exhibitions, retail interiors, shopping centre and point of sale displays.

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Australian Space Agency | Custom Plinth ~ Over the Australian Space Agency | Custom Plinth ~ Over the past 38 years, we have crafted thousands of plinths to display and support everything from priceless artifacts to a 67-million-year-old Triceratops skeleton. This month, we had the privilege of creating a custom circular plinth — sculpted to resemble a lunar landscape — for the 18th Australian Space Forum in Adelaide.

The plinth proudly showcased “Roo-ver,” Australia’s first lunar rover, developed in collaboration with NASA for a future Artemis mission. This semi-autonomous rover is designed to collect lunar soil (regolith) and potentially extract oxygen, an innovation that could play a vital role in supporting future human exploration of the moon and Mars.

The plinth was fabricated using a combination of precision CNC cutting and detailed hand sculpting, fitted to a custom circular joinery base. It was then hand-painted and finished to create the appearance of the moon’s landscape.

Thanks to the Australian Space Agency for allowing Synthesis to support Roo-ver and the Forum.

Photos:  Australian Space Agency and Synthesis

#AustralianSpaceAgency
#Roover #roovermission
#NASA #Artemis
#AustralianSpaceForum
#science #lunarlandscape
#madeinMelbourne
#customjoinery #exhibition
Temporary walls to provide introduction, a place t Temporary walls to provide introduction, a place to exhibit or reconfigure a space. The temporary wall system has been a service provided by Synthesis for more than three decades. Our temporary walls offer free standing, self-supporting, engineered solutions where permanent walls cannot be installed.  Temporary walls are also a sustainable alternative to the traditional stud and plaster walls that can not be deinstalled or repurposed at the end of a project.

A recent project featuring our custom designed and produced temporary walls is ‘Aftershocks: Nolan and the Holocaust’ at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum. The exhibition showcases a series of raw, emotive works by celebrated Australian artist Sidney Nolan.

The exhibition is showing until 2 August 2025.

Exhibition developed by the Sydney Jewish Museum. 

Research and Curation: Katharine Cousins
Exhibition Producer: Dr Breann Fallon
Exhibition Design : @space_arrangers
Graphic Design: @studio_tweed
Artwork Installation: @markgaleaart
Exhibition build, temporary walls, graphics and banners: @synthesis_designbuild
Photography: @simonshiffsays
State Library Victoria | Make Believe – Encounte State Library Victoria | Make Believe – Encounters with Misinformation ~ Synthesis is proud to share our work recently completed for Make Believe, an exhibition exploring how human choices, psychology and biases contribute to the spread of misinformation.

As principal builder, Synthesis was responsible for the full scope of works, including the de-installation of the previous exhibition-built form, resolution of build methodology, production design, building permit documentation & compliance, engineering coordination, off-site fabrication, delivery, and final installation.

The exhibition, designed by Studio Peter King, required Synthesis to deliver a range of bespoke joinery and built-form elements including:

✳️ A 6m wide x  3.6m high mirror wall at the rear of the gallery.

✳️ Custom-designed seating, incorporating a reproduction of the heritage column skirting within the Keith Murdoch Gallery, featuring highly detailed upholstery in a combination of suede and custom-printed fabrics.

✳️ An overhead space frame spanning the full width and length of the gallery, housing both exhibition lighting and power infrastructure for integrated screens — an essential component of the exhibition’s immersive environment.

✳️ Temporary partition walls to create four distinct rooms within the gallery, each representing a key thematic element of the exhibition.

✳️ Projector rails and AV support joinery.

All works were successfully delivered and installed within the heritage-listed Keith Murdoch Gallery without disruption to the State Library’s daily operations or visitor experience.

Thanks to the SLV exhibition team for the opportunity to help bring the Make Believe exhibition to life.

Make Believe is a free exhibition, open daily until 26 January 2026

Curators:  Linda Short & Georgia Goud
Exhibition Producers:  Sam McKinnon & Nickk Hertzog
3D Exhibition Design: @studiopeterking
Exhibition Lighting: @megslighting
Build methodology, construction, installation: @Synthesis_designbuild
Wall & column painting: @flys_alone_painting
Wallpaper: @decentlyexposed
Upholstery: @uliks_furniture_
Exhibition images: @peterfosterphoto courtesy of SLV
Build Images: Synthesis
Yarra Ranges Regional Museum | A Toast to Melba ~ It has been wonderful to support Yarra Ranges Regional Museum once again with custom graphic elements and joinery.  A Toast to Melba shares rarely seen objects, photographs, and personal treasures from Coombe Yarra Valley, Arts Centre Melbourne, and Yarra Ranges Regional Museum—brought together for the first time in this dynamic new exhibition.

Thanks again to the YRRM exhibition team for the opportunity to assist you on this project.

Photo - Sean Paris Photography

#atoasttomelba #yrrmuseum
#damenelliemelba #coombeyarravalley
#artscentremelbourne #lilydale
#coldstream #melba #yrrm
#yrrmuseum #coombecottage
#exhibition #showcases
#customjoinery
@coombeyarravalley
@artscentremelbourne
@yrcouncil
Flashback Friday: Curved, carved, and complex ~ Ev Flashback Friday: Curved, carved, and complex ~ Every project leaves lasting memories and enables us to deliver better outcomes for future projects.  The project pictured here was a hand sculptured relief panel installed into a new cinema development in Richmond, Victoria, in the early 2000s. 

Today, 25 years later, the design, development, templating, carving, coating, and polishing techniques used in this project remain relevant and are still utilised in our processes. This project presented unique challenges, especially with the intricate curves that needed to align perfectly with the joinery, ceiling, and wall contours. To address this, we developed an innovative templating method, which we incorporated into early 3D CAD/CAM modelling systems. This approach continues to be a vital part of our work, ensuring that we can achieve seamless integration between new and existing complex curved contours.

The final result was an installation that appeared as a single, flawless piece of polished brass.

With each project comes experience and knowledge, we learn about new materials, create new production methods, and work out how to solve problems we didn’t even know we had. As we enter our 37th year in operation, we take pride in the thousands of projects we've successfully completed.

#beenaroundawhile
#stillhere
#doingwhatwelove
Melbourne Holocaust Museum – Underground: The Hi Melbourne Holocaust Museum – Underground: The Hidden Archive of the Warsaw Ghetto ~ Synthesis recently had the privilege of completing the build for Underground, an exhibition of rare artefacts from the hidden archive of the Warsaw Ghetto, on display for the first time outside of Europe.

The Synthesis scope of work encompassed the off-site production of all joinery, including a suite of handcrafted solid timber-framed, free-standing display furniture and forms meticulously assembled without any visible fixings. Once the joinery frames were installed, they were painted and wrapped in fabric. Custom showcases and graphics by Synthesis were then fixed to the joinery, completing the installation of built form.  Additionally, lightboxes, free-standing showcases, and display walls were designed, manufactured, and installed by Synthesis  to support and complement the exhibition story.

Thank you to the MHM exhibition team for entrusting Synthesis to help bring the exhibition to fruition.

The exhibition is currently on display until 30 March 2025. 

For a full list of exhibition credits and further information, please see https://mhm.org.au/underground/

3D Exhibition Design: Space Arrangers
2D Design:  Studio Tweed
Build methodology, production design, off-site construction, installation, signage and graphic production, showcases and finishing, and photos 4 - 6: @Synthesis_designbuild

Photographs 1 - 3: @simonshiffsays
Science Gallery Melbourne | SCI-FI: Mythologies Tr Science Gallery Melbourne | SCI-FI: Mythologies Transformed offers fresh insights on science fiction, a genre built on envisioning alternative futures and imaginary realms. The lines connecting science fiction with ancient philosophy and mythologie s are brought to light through the work of Asian and First Nations women artists and collectives.

The Synthesis team was contracted to complete the built form scope for the SCI-FI: Mythologies Transformed exhibition including design and development of the engineered 7.5m x 7.5m floor structure and elements to support the Red Silk of Fate installation. Custom LED lighting baffles were created for use throughout the exhibition in addition to semi-circular plinth joinery, a custom seating and display library fixture for the reading zone (complete with old school fat back TV and DVD player) and freestanding, internally illuminated plinths and showcases.  The exhibition built form also included many re-purposed elements of joinery, seating and tables from previous Synthesis exhibition builds and installations at SGM. 

Thanks once again to the Science Gallery Project Team and Curators for entrusting Synthesis with helping to bring the Sci-Fi exhibition to life. 

The exhibition reopens to the public from 19 Feb 2025. 

Exhibition Design: Sibling, Forde + Nicol, Napp Studios
Images 1 & 4 -  Matthew Stanton
Images 2, 3 & 5 - Synthesis Design + Build
Images 6 & 7 - Phoebe Powell
Flashback Friday: Christmas by Synthesis at Parkmo Flashback Friday: Christmas by Synthesis at Parkmore Shopping Centre 1989 ~ 35 years ago, the Synthesis team were hard at work creating what would become a truly memorable Christmas installation.

Centred around a 100-year-old carousel, beautifully restored & refurbished by the team at Wittingslow Amusements, the Santa setting at Parkmore Shopping Centre came alive to the delight of young and old.  The amazing sight of the carousel turning to the sound of Christmas carols, surrounded by sparkling white, silver, and pastel decorations (it was 1989!!) made it a Christmas installation with a difference and drew customers from far and wide.

The set design and supporting marketing campaigns went on to win many awards.

#Christmas #carousel
#Santaset
#Parkmoreshoppingcentre
#ChristmasinMelbourne
#WittingslowAmusements
#1989 #pastel #retro
#marketing
#FlashbackFriday
Buxton Contemporary Gallery | Assembled Audience O Buxton Contemporary Gallery | Assembled Audience Octagon ~ It’s no mean feat to prefabricate free standing, self-supporting engineered structures that meet building codes, Australian standards & fire regulations whilst achieving the design intent of the artist’s vision.

But this is what we do.

As registered builders working to support the arts, Synthesis specialises in developing build methodology to achieve a full project life cycle from material selection and connection methods to repurposing built form at the end of a project, including deinstallation and recycling.  Synthesis takes into account every aspect of compliance, meeting all codes and regulations to keep visitors safe when enjoying museums, galleries and public spaces.

The example pictured here provides a glimpse behind the scenes of the recent build; Assembled Audience at Buxton Contemporary for the artist Taryn Simon’s sound installation.  Audiences have responded with “fear and delight” in the enclosed, pitch-black space.

This is the last week you can experience the same crowd never gathers twice closing on 13 October.

Curated by: Annika Aitken
Exhibition Design: @anitagigidesign
Build methodology, construction, installation, finishing, and photo: @Synthesis_designbuild

@buxton_contemporary #TarynSimon #assembledaudience #samecrowd #soundinstallation
#Buxtoncontemporary #exhibition #science #gallery #melbournegallery #studentgallery
#UniMelb #WhatsOnMelbourne #MelbourneToDo
University of Melbourne | Arts West Gallery : Albr University of Melbourne | Arts West Gallery : Albrecht Dürer’s Material Renaissance ~ Synthesis recently had the pleasure of working with the University of Melbourne and Grimwade Conservation on the build and installation of new joinery, plinths and gallery walls around and between existing structural columns.  

Framed and skinned wall panels were prefabricated off-site then installed and plaster patched to seamlessly blend with the existing columns, giving the appearance that they had been there all along.  Additional wall space was required to support the Albrecht Dürer exhibition which showcases over ninety rare items sourced from the University of Melbourne and State Library Victoria collections.

This amazing exhibition can be viewed until November in the Arts West Building at the University of Melbourne, Parkville.

Project Management: @grimwadeconservation
Curators: Hansen Associate Professor Jenny Spinks, Dr Matthew Champion, Dr Shannon Gilmore-Kuziow, and Professor Charles Zika / Curatorial Assistant: Jenny Smith
Graphic design: @nuttshellgraphics
Build methodology, joinery production, fabrication and installation: @synthesis_designbuild
Photography: @drew_echberg_photographer
State Library Victoria | Melbourne Out Loud ~ Repu State Library Victoria | Melbourne Out Loud ~ Repurposing built exhibition forms presents inherent challenges, yet the latest exhibition at the State Library Victoria shows how lighting, colour, and movement can redefine a space, imbuing repurposed structures with a distinctly new ambiance.

"Melbourne Out Loud" showcases the photographic works of Rennie Ellis vividly brought to life on 4-meter high screens, towering freestanding, mirror-clad projection walls and in custom built theatrettes with tiered seating, all originally crafted by the Synthesis team for the previous exhibition; MIRRORS.

"Melbourne Out Loud" is open daily at the State Library of Victoria until January 28th, 2025

Exhibition Lighting: @megslighting
Build methodology, engineering, production design, construction & installation: @Synthesis_designbuild
Images: Christian Capurro
IMAX Carlton Gardens | Cinema Entries ~ Since 2007 IMAX Carlton Gardens | Cinema Entries ~ Since 2007, the Synthesis team has worked with the IMAX team to  enhance various aspects of the IMAX experience, from updating foyer seating, wall finishes, revamping the candy bar, integrating digital signage, and beyond. Our most recent project centred on the ambience of the cinema entries, aiming to fill each space with a distinct atmosphere while incorporating directional lighting effects. The concept behind this project was to enable the entries to adapt their mood to match the theme of events or the colour palette of the featured film. 

To bring this vision to life, we created a series of custom-designed, three-dimensional arrows standing 3 metres tall. The arrows were finished in matte black and brushed aluminium, and along with complimentary custom door surrounds, feature integrated RGB app-controlled LED lighting. Designed, developed, and prefabricated off-site by the Synthesis team, these elements were then installed during the early hours of the morning to minimise disruption to IMAX visitors' experiences. The impact of lighting is demonstrated in the before and after images of the project.

Thanks to the amazing IMAX team for entrusting Synthesis with the realisation of their cinema entry vision.
Science Gallery Melbourne | Not Natural ~ Synthesi Science Gallery Melbourne | Not Natural ~ Synthesis recently had the pleasure of working with the Science Gallery team to build and install Not Natural, a thought provoking exhibition "exploring the growing friction between natural and artificial systems. Are we redesigning evolution, or is evolution re-designing us? And just because we can, should we?"

Synthesis was responsible for a varied scope including the production design, build methodology, off-site fabrication, painting and installation of a range of free standing joinery, seating, screen enclosures, lightboxes, showcases and oversized plinths including the one shown here supporting the incredible sculpture, “Kindred” by Patricia Piccinini.

Thank you to the University of Melbourne/Science Gallery exhibition team members for the opportunity to work with you on this exhibition.

Exhibition Design: @sibling_architecture
Build methodology, construction, installation, finishing, and photo: @Synthesis_designbuild
NGV International | Triennial 2023: Hexagonal Plin NGV International | Triennial 2023: Hexagonal Plinth ~ Synthesis completed the raw built form and installation of this oversized hexagonal plinth to support two amazing new works by Bethan Laura Wood – Kaleidoscope-o-rama, carpet and Kaleidoscope-o-rama, bookcase, (MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission).

The 5.2m x 4.5m plinth was fabricated in segments at our production facility then delivered and assembled on-site, reducing dust, noise and disruption.

Thank you to the NGV design team for once again allowing us to be part of the build team to support this installation.

Plinth Design: NGV Exhibition Design Team
Build methodology, production design, construction, installation, and photos: @Synthesis_designbuild
 
@NGVMelbourne
@bethanlaurawood
@meccabeauty
#NGV #ngvinternational
#triennial
#madeinmelbourne
#customjoinery  
#exhibition #museum
#gallery  #Melbourne
Cadbury Store | Fox Studios, Sydney Australia,  C Cadbury Store | Fox Studios, Sydney Australia,  Circa 2002 – This week, 22 years ago, our little Australian company was being recognised at the annual VM+SD International Retail Design Awards,  Las Vegas, USA for the design and build of this store.

Measuring only 5m x 5m, this small retail space was a visual and sensory delight for chocolate lovers. Located at Fox Studios in Sydney Australia, the store was designed and hand built in Melbourne by the Synthesis team and featured giant product replicas, piped chocolate scent, state of the art inlaid floor graphics, curated audio-visual entertainment, a sea of metallic gold and purple finishes and daily visits from everyone’s favourite chocolate frog – Freddo.

Published in both the VM+SD magazine and hardcover publication “Stores and Retail Spaces”, this was a really proud moment for the Synthesis team and remains a very special retail project from the thousands we have delivered over more than 30 years of operation. Thank you to everyone who helped make this project possible, wherever you may now be!
State Library Victoria | MIRROR: New Views on Phot State Library Victoria | MIRROR: New Views on Photography ~ Working in historically significant locations with heritage protected surfaces can be a challenge, but it’s one that the team at Synthesis relishes! The Mirror exhibition project for State Library Victoria was no exception with every care taken as we became custodians during the build.

Located in the stunning Victoria Gallery, the project required the fabrication of free-standing, engineered structures to meet the needs of modern technology, visitor interaction and rigorous building permit standards, all installed on top of the beautiful heritage floors and within the magnificent ornate ceilings and walls. The 4.5m high free-standing structures were prefabricated off-site, delivered through a standard double door and reassembled to form the projection screens and tiered seating areas.

The 4.5m and 3.6m high free-standing forms feature an extensive installation of Dibond mirror panel on all external surfaces, fitted to exacting tolerances and reflecting the beautiful internal architectural features of the room. The tiered seating theatrettes are crafted from EchoPanel. Side walls were also redeveloped into huge projection screens with one screen measuring 13m long x 4.5m high!
 
Thank you to the SLV team for entrusting Synthesis to realise your vision for MIRROR.
 
Curators:  Jade Hadfield, Kate Rhodes and Linda Short
Exhibition Producer: Nickk Hertzog
3D Exhibition Design: Louise Wright @baraccowrightarchitects
2D Design: @testen.studio
Exhibition Lighting: @megslighting
Build methodology, engineering, production design, construction, installation, finishing and photo: @Synthesis_designbuild
 
First image: @eugenehyland
Second image: SDP Photography
Third & fourth image: @Synthesis_designbuild
 
#SLVMirror #NewViews
Dovecote Design Co | Chadstone Shopping Centre ~ W Dovecote Design Co | Chadstone Shopping Centre ~ With Santa’s arrival just over a week away, we wanted to share one of our favourite custom-fabricated sleighs which was recently completed for the 2023 Chadstone Santa set.  As one of the biggest sleighs we’ve built in over 30 years, its super-size allows Santa and the whole extended family to be seated and photographed together. The sleigh also features all abilities access, giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy a moment with Santa.
 
Thanks again to Dovecote Design Co for allowing the Synthesis team to help bring the spirit of Christmas to life at Chadstone again this year.
 
@dovecotedesignco
#dovecotedesignco
#ChadstoneChristmas
#ChadstoneFashion
#madeinMelbourne
#Santaslittlehelpers
#naughtyornice
#customjoinery
#SantaSleigh
#ChristmasinMelbourne
#porterspaints #aquaGILD
Sustainable Seasonal Projects ~ Reuse, repurpose a Sustainable Seasonal Projects ~ Reuse, repurpose and recycle are the keys to supporting a sustainable future. Synthesis prides itself on designing build methods that allow seasonal projects to be built, installed, dismantled and stored until the next time.  The Highpoint Gift Wrap Station is an excellent example of how this process can work. First bult in 2019 and reinstalled each year since (including the current 2023 Christmas season), the kiosk still has many years of life left in its current form or with a new look courtesy of paint and styling.  
 
Thanks once again to @dovecotedesignco for allowing the Synthesis team to help bring your ideas to life.
 
#HighpointShoppingCentre #Christmas #customjoinery #madeinMelbourne #giftwrapping #Christmasiscoming #naughtyornice #display #shoppingcentre #marketing
University of Melbourne | Freestanding Art/Display University of Melbourne | Freestanding Art/Display Walls ~ Free standing temporary walls to support artwork displays has been part of our DNA for over 30 years. Over that time, Synthesis has custom built temporary walls for products, services, artwork, and priceless artifacts.
 
Producing a slim profile, self-supporting wall that can easily be installed and dismantled, is crafted from raw materials sourced from 89% renewable products and finished in a low VOC paint is no easy feat. However, this is exactly what has been achieved for the recent Displaced Ukraine photography exhibition installed in the Arts West Atrium at Melbourne University.
 
It was a pleasure working with University of Melbourne, Nuttshell and Grimwade Conservation Services on this project.

Graphic Design – @nuttshellgraphics
Project Management – @grimwadeconservation
Temporary and title wall production – @synthesis_designbuild
Images supplied courtesy of The University of Melbourne.

#exhibition #photography #museum #display #artwork #gallery #freestandingwalls #reuse #recycle #sustainable #melbourneuni #madeinMelbourne 
#Melbourne #artswest
Melbourne Museum | Bunjil’s Nest & Creation Cine Melbourne Museum | Bunjil’s Nest & Creation Cinema ~ This week celebrates 10 years since the opening of Melbourne Museum’s award winning First Peoples Exhibition. Featured prominently within the exhibition is one of our favourite projects; Bunjil’s Nest and Creation Cinema.
 
Although Synthesis was awarded the principle build contract for many areas of the First Peoples exhibition,  Bunjil’s Nest and the Creation Cinema were unique and complex built form projects in their own right, taking months of design, development, prototyping and engineering to refine the build method. The Synthesis team hand collected fallen tree limbs and bark which were loaded into stillages and frozen at the MV facility over a period of months to “debug”.  The branches were then painstakingly arranged by hand and individually secured onto the 10m diameter x 4 m high super structure frame (built off-site at our production facility), creating the amazing, organic, nest form.
 
The cinema entries were crafted and detailed in new and reclaimed spotted gum timbers and veneers with the interior featuring spotted gum joinery and custom, double-stitched, upholstered banquet seating.  This spectacular sculptural form, proudly built and installed by the Synthesis team, sits just inside the entry to the First Peoples Exhibition.
  
Bunjil’s Nest and the Creation Cinema were developed under the guidance of the First Peoples Yulendj Group and are a creative collaboration between Glenn Romanis (Wedge-tailed Eagle feathers), Synthesis Design + Build (Bunjil’s Nest), ENESS (concept, design, vision and sound for Bunjil’s wings) and Melbourne Museum (overall concept and design).

First Peoples is open daily 9am – 5pm with 10th Anniversary Community Day celebrations being held at Melbourne Museum Sunday 10 September.
 
Images: Dianna Snape and Synthesis
 
@museumsvictoria
@melbournemuseum
@bunjilaka
@studioeness
#GlennRomanis
#Bunjilsnest #Bunjil
#MuseumsVictoria
#MelbourneMuseum
#bunjilaka
#gallery
#exhibition
#proudlymadeinMelbourne
#customjoinery
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E: solutions@synthesis.com.au
P: 03 9720 3895

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