Chris Connell has been in practice for more than 25 years, and in that time has designed some of Melbourne’s most well-loved spaces, including Caffe e Cucina, Il Bacaro, Mr Wolf and Dukes. His projects are known for their simplicity and attention to detail, characteristics that deepen the endurance and longevity of the spaces.

Chris has also worked in furniture design, creating custom pieces for projects, including the Dukes stool, created for Dukes cafe. Some of these custom pieces have subsequently gone into production. His love of furniture design led him, along with partner Raoul Hogg, to start furniture company MAP.

In addition to serving on awards juries, his accolades include the 2016 Eat Drink Design Awards Hall of Fame for Il Bacaro, the 2015 Designer of the Year at Denfair, and the 2014 Interior Design Excellence Awards’ Gold Medal. His Pepe chair has been in the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York since 1995.