Jenna Bladen is an emerging Sydney-based interior designer dedicated to crafting immersive, sensory-rich environments that redefine the traditional boundaries of design. Growing up in South Africa, Jenna’s early visual diet consisted of crowded squatter camps juxtaposed against colonial buildings and modern architectural gems. Her South African heritage and consumer centric approach inform her unique design perspective, where cultural sensitivity meets emotional resonance. Grounded in placemaking, Jenna’s work is about more than aesthetics—it’s about designing spaces that foster connection, tell stories, and engage the senses. With a deep commitment to sustainable practices, she integrates environmental responsibility into her design process, ensuring that every space not only elevates human experience but also respects the planet.
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D E S I G N V I S
U A L I S A T I O N S .
MIDNIGHT BAR
EXHIBITION SPACE
PERFORMANCE SPACE
RUNWAY
Inspired by Akira Isogawa’s recollection of Sei Shonagon’s reflections on the beauty of time, the midnight bar in the Isogawa Pavilion captures the magical essence of summer at midnight. During the day, soft, diffused lighting highlights the peaceful beauty of twilight, while at night, the space becomes a glowing, moody retreat bathed in red hues, reflecting the warmth and mystery of summer nights. Organic forms cascade from above, resembling flowing fabric, inviting visitors into a space of movement, elegance, and transformation. The Midnight Bar offers a sensory journey, blending timeless design with a modern touch, creating a space where art, design, and nature come together.
The exhibition space in the Isogawa Pavilion is inspired by the freshness and renewal of spring at dawn. Soft, glowing light filters through the space, mimicking the first light of day and creating an atmosphere of discovery and possibility. This area is designed to showcase works of art, fashion, and design, celebrating creativity and innovation. The delicate, flowing forms within the space reflect the organic energy of spring, while the open layout encourages exploration and connection. Like the start of a new day, this exhibition space invites visitors to engage with fresh perspectives and celebrate the beauty of transformation.
This space in the Isogawa Pavilion draws inspiration from Akira Isogawa’s collaboration with the Australian Ballet, celebrating the connection between movement, fabric, and storytelling. Designed to evoke the stillness and quiet of winter mornings, the space features soft, pale lighting and layered textures that create an atmosphere of reflection and anticipation. It is a flexible venue that can host intimate performances, debates, or events, seamlessly adapting to the needs of its occupants. Just as a winter morning holds the promise of a new day, this space invites creativity and dialogue, offering a stage for ideas, artistry, and collaboration.
The runway in the Isogawa Pavilion draws inspiration from Erased Studio’s C&T Wedding project, combining industrial strength with elegant refinement. A long, central runway anchors the space, its clean, minimal design contrasting with the soft, draped fabric walls that enclose it. The juxtaposition of these elements mirrors the delicate tension between raw and polished materials, creating a stage that feels both grounded and ethereal. Its balanced design celebrates the coexistence of structure and artistry, providing a space that is as bold as it is inviting.
D E S I G N
D E V E L O P M E N T .
Client
AKIRA ISOGAWA About The
AAkira Isogawa is a renowned Australian fashion designer, celebrated for his contemporary aesthetic deeply rooted in traditional Japanese design. His work is characterised by a commitment to fluidity, movement, and the meticulous draping of fabric, creating three-dimensional forms that blur the lines between fashion and art. Isogawa values sustainability, ethical creation, and a deep respect for cultural heritage, often drawing inspiration from his Japanese ancestry while innovating within the context of Australian fashion. These values resonate with Jenna’s own design philosophy, which emphasises the creation of immersive, culturally sensitive spaces that challenge conventional design norms. Like Isogawa, Jenna strives to push the boundaries of design by integrating cultural depth and innovative form into my work, creating environments that are both aesthetically striking and emotionally resonant.
THE BRIEF
The brief is to design a free-standing pavilion in The Cutaway, Barangaroo, for a pop-up event during Australian Fashion Week. This event will explore the work and design philosophies of Akira Isogawa, reflecting Isogawa’s unique approach to fashion, emphasising the fluidity and movement of his designs while providing a versatile space that accommodates various event needs. The pavilion itself should be conceived as a three-dimensional form, much like Akira’s approach to draping fabric. The design should unfold organically, with spaces that flow and adapt to the diverse needs of the event, creating a dynamic environment that mirrors the fluidity and movement inherent in Isogawa’s work.
In alignment with Isogawa’s commitment to sustainability, the design should prioritise circular creation principles, utilising materials that can be recycled or repurposed post-event. The pavilion should also incorporate biophilic elements, fostering a connection with nature through the thoughtful use of light, texture, and natural materials.
The objective is to create a space that not only showcases Akira Isogawa’s work but also embodies his design philosophy, offering visitors an immersive experience that celebrates the artistry of fashion and design. This event should honour Akira’s legacy while inspiring future generations by integrating innovative, sustainable practices within a culturally resonant and engaging environment.
DESIGN STATEMENT
The Isogawa Pavilion, is a free-standing immersive journey located in The Cutaway, Barangaroo. Designed for a pop-up event during Australian Fashion Week, the pavilion explores the work and design philosophies of Australia’s iconic fashion designer Akira Isogawa, reflecting his unique design approach to fashion, emphasising the fluidity and movement of his designs while providing a versatile space that caters to runways, exhibitions, and social interaction. The pavilion itself is conceived as a three-dimensional form, much like Akira’s approach to draping fabric. The design unfolds organically, with spaces that flow and adapt to the diverse needs of the event, creating a dynamic environment that mirrors the fluidity and movement inherent in Isogawa’s work. In alignment with Akira’s
commitment to sustainability, the pavilion prioritises circular creation principles, utilising materials that can be recycled or repurposed post-event. As well as this the pavilion also incorporates biophilic elements, fostering a connection with nature through the thoughtful use of light, texture, and natural materials. The objective is to create a space that not only showcases Akira Isogawa’s iconic work but also embodies his design philosophy, offering visitors an immersive experience that celebrates the artistry of fashion and design. The Isogawa Pavilion strives to honour Akira’s legacy while inspiring future generations by integrating innovative, sustainable practices within a culturally resonant and engaging environment.
THE CUTAWAY THE CUTAWAY THE CUTAWAY
THE CUTAWAY
The Cutaway is located beneath Barangaroo Reserve at 1 Merriman Street, Barangaroo NSW, within the City of Sydney Local Government Area (LGA). It is an expansive 6,500m² concrete shell space, featuring a natural sandstone eastern face, and is situated above a public car park. The venue offers versatile potential for cultural uses, with access to natural light through roof voids.
While The Cutaway itself is not heritage-listed, the surrounding Barangaroo area includes significant heritage sites such as Millers Point and the Walsh Bay Wharves. The space is designated for cultural and public use, aligning with the broader Barangaroo precinct’s development as a mixed-use urban environment.
The Cutaway is well connected to Sydney’s public transport network, including Wynyard Station (via Wynyard Walk), the future Barangaroo Metro Station, and Barangaroo Ferry Hub. Pedestrian and cycling routes provide access to the site, and vehicle entry is available through Towns Place, with servicing facilities and a public car park accessible by lift.
The site is on Gadigal Country, and its design reflects the Aboriginal cultural significance through the Connecting with Country framework. This approach ensures the project acknowledges and integrates the cultural connections to the land, while serving as a contemporary cultural space.
The Cutaway is a future-proofed venue designed for cultural uses, contributing to Barangaroo’s role as a major urban hub in Sydney. Its strategic location within a rapidly developing precinct ensures its relevance for hosting a range of events and attracting diverse audiences from local and international communities.
THE CUTAWAY THE CUTAWAY
THE CUTAWAY THE CUTAWAY
THE CUTAWAY THE CUTAWAY
PROPOSED FLOORPLAN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
JENNA BLADEN DESIGN acknowledges Gadi Country, her lands, sea and sky, we acknowledge her custodians, the people of the Grass tree, their kin the Wangal, Bidjigal, Cabrogal and Cammeraygal who often visited this Country to connect and share. We offer our respect to their Elders both past and present.
FIGURES IN RENDERS by kan.i Architect
ALL INTERIOR DESIGN, RENDERS AND CUSTOM FURNITURE DESIGNED & CURATED BY
