surface AUSTRALIA
AU S T R A L I A’ S B E S P O K E M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E D E S I G N C U R I O U S . M AT E R I A L I T Y, D E S I G N & F U N C T I O N I N T H E H A R D S U R FA C E I N D U S T R Y.
AUTUMN 20 VOL.4
From the Editor With the global pandemic front of mind for most of us, this edition of Surface Australia is all about supporting Australian architects, interior designers, builders and developers - all of whom have been impacted by this global tragedy, yet are continuing to design and build with the future foremost in mind.
From the Editor With the global pandemic front of mind for most of us, this edition of Surface
Australia is all about supporting Australian architects, interior designers, builders and developers - all of whom have been impacted by this global tragedy, yet are continuing to design and build with the future foremost in mind. As a national supplier, we have seen the impacts forced upon thousands of our peers and partners first hand, and the importance of supporting one another as much as possible and maintaining a positive, design-first attitude, cannot be underestimated. By coming together and sharing the successes of the individuals and firms within
As a national supplier, we have seen the impacts forced upon thousands of our peers and partners first hand, and the importance of supporting one another as much as possible and maintaining a positive, design-first attitude, cannot be underestimated. By coming together and sharing the successes of the individuals and firms within our industry who are striving for excellence during challenging times, we can aim to improve the outcome for the collective design and construction industry.
our industry who are striving for excellence during challenging times, we can aim to
Join us in celebrating four breathtaking projects turning heads and building better futures across Australia. From the epitome of resort-style living in a Burleigh Heads multi-residential apartment development, to a Bond-esque mansion in the outer suburbs of Brisbane, as well as a modern beachside house inspired by the streetscapes of New York, and a grand statement home embracing natural materials with layers of marble and timber throughout.
With many budgets thrown into disarray, championing ‘green’ materials can be
With many budgets thrown into disarray, championing ‘green’ materials can be difficult, but choosing to select and prioritise sustainable products is only growing in importance. Sustainability is at the heart of what we do at Earp Bros, and the first step to navigating the world of sustainable tiles is to reach out to us - your trusted partners.
improve the outcome for the collective design and construction industry. Join us in celebrating four breathtaking projects turning heads and building better futures across Australia. From the epitome of resort-style living in a Burleigh Heads multi-residential apartment development, to a Bond-esque mansion in the outer suburbs of Brisbane, as well as a modern beachside house inspired by the streetscapes of New York, and a grand statement home embracing natural materials with layers of marble and timber throughout.
difficult, but choosing to select and prioritise sustainable products is only growing in importance. Sustainability is at the heart of what we do at Earp Bros, and the first step to navigating the world of sustainable tiles is to reach out to us - your trusted partners. In this edition we highlight the STARWOOD collection, to showcase the breadth of colours, formats and decorative options available in a green certified series. Drawing inspiration from 25 unique timbers from around the world, a completely new inkjet printing technique has been developed to apply an extraordinary level of detail to the micro-surface of the tile, resulting in a surface design of knots, grains and variations never before seen or felt, in a timber look tile series. By embracing the latest technologies, world-leading brands like Porcelanosa Group are producing materials that will outlast any other - all while minimising waste, reducing water consumption (almost completely) and ensuring as much energy as
In this edition we highlight the STARWOOD collection, to showcase the breadth of colours, formats and decorative options available in a green certified series. Drawing inspiration from 25 unique timbers from around the world, a completely new inkjet printing technique has been developed to apply an extraordinary level of detail to the micro-surface of the tile, resulting in a surface design of knots, grains and variations never before seen or felt, in a timber look tile series.
possible is produced onsite to create tiles that truly stand for the future of the built
By embracing the latest technologies, world-leading brands like
to an amazing future serving you both as we once did, and in a plethora of new ways
Porcelanosa Group are producing materials that will outlast any other - all while minimising waste, reducing water consumption (almost completely) and ensuring as much energy as possible is produced onsite to create tiles that truly stand for the future of the built environment.
As Australia begins to collectively take a breath and normal activities become seemingly closer to reality, we want to take a brief moment to thank our many partners, suppliers and customers - you have been both patient during a time of great upheaval and supportive on so many levels. It’s times like these that reinforce why we are so passionate about our work - it’s not just the products or the projects, but the people we get to work with as an extension of our business. We look forward to an amazing future serving you both as we once did, and in a plethora of new ways too. ~ Josh Earp - Earp Bros Marketing Manager & Editor
environment.
As Australia begins to collectively take a breath and normal activities become seemingly closer to reality, we want to take a brief moment to thank our many partners, suppliers and customers - you have been both patient during a time of great upheaval and supportive on so many levels. It’s times like these that reinforce why we are so passionate about our work - it’s not just the products or the projects, but the people we get to work with as an extension of our business. We look forward too. Welcome to the second edition of Surface Magazine Australia. ~ Josh Earp - Earp Bros Marketing Manager & Editor
earp.com.au NEWCASTLE 79-81 Parry Street, Newcastle West SYDNEY Unit B1, 35-39 Bourke Road Alexandria BRISBANE 106 Arthur Street, Fortitude Valley MELBOURNE 10 Albert Street, Richmond @EarpBros Surface Australia is published four times per year by Earp Bros Pty Ltd. Wall & Floor / Arctic White Classico 400 x 800mm All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be Floor Insert / Penny Round Nero Marquina 20mm reproduced in any manner Image courtesy of A&M Building @aandmbuilding without written permission Photography by Stuart James Photography @stuartjamesptyltd from the publishers.
Contents AUTUMN 20
FRO M T HE E DI T O R P RO J E CT P E RFE CT I O N 5
James Bond House Bruce Street House - Stephen Gray
21
Nero - Greenslopes
43
Natura Apartments - Spyre Group
53
P RO DUCT PARAG O N XTONE
31
STARWOOD
67
T RE NDI NG ST Y LE 63
Sustainability by design
earp.com.au @EarpBros NEWCASTLE
79-81 Parry Street, Newcastle West
SYDNEY
Unit B1, 35-39 Bourke Road Alexandria
BRISBANE
106 Arthur Street, Fortitude Valley
MELBOURNE 10 Albert Street, Richmond EDITOR & MARKETING
Josh Earp
COPYWRITER
Laura Kebby
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Victoria Ferris
Surface Australia is published four times per year by Earp Bros Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in
any manner without written permission from the publishers. Opinions
expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or editor. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information
in this publication, however the publishers assume no responsibility
for errors or omissions or consequences in reliance on this publication.
Images courtesy of Studio LMD @studiolmd Photography by Brock Beazley Photography @brockbeazleyphotography
PROJECT PERFECTION / JAMES BOND
by Laura Kebby
James Bond There are many words that spring to mind when looking at the affectionately and aptly named James Bond House. Situated in Chandler Queensland, this sleek modern property takes inspiration from the luxurious mansions of the Hollywood Hills, yet surrounded by a blissful backdrop of the Australian landscape. Intrigued? So were we, so we sat down with interior designer Leila Macaione, director and founder of Studio LMD to find out more about this beautiful project. 5
External Floor & Pool Surrounds / Roden Perla Slip Resistant 450 x 900mm
Can you tell me a little bit about your role at studio LMD
I’m the director and founder of Studio LMD and we officially launched in September last year. We were lucky enough to launch with the ‘James Bond’ house which really
Looking at the property now, it’s so easy
to see why the response was so amazing.
It’s truly stunning in every way and it’s very clear that you have such a passion for your work.
My question is, what keeps you passionate?
set things off nicely for us! The flow-on effect has just been fantastic and the response has just been more than
I think I was born to do this to be honest!
I could’ve hoped for.
I live and breathe interior design and there isn’t really a moment where I’m not looking on Instagram or Pinterest or reading my favourite magazines - like Surface Australia or Design Anthology, to take inspiration.
Also, I draw a lot from fashion as well. I find that fashion seems to be ahead of the game a lot of the time, particularly in Europe, and I draw a lot of inspiration from what kind of palettes they are coming out with as well.
What’s really inspiring you
at the moment, I love that you mention fashion influencing your work!
This year? Definitely fashion, but also I’ve found a big turn to nature as well, which is a big thing for me because I’m usually buried in books and magazines a lot of the time. The bushfires at the beginning of the year, I just found that to be just so devastating and it really makes you think about the world around us, and that’s a lot
What’s your design approach
and the philosophy behind your work? When I receive a house, generally speaking, it’s been designed by an architect and what I really love to do is to work with the architect who designed the house, just to make sure there’s a link between interiors and architecture. Throughout my work, I try to make sure that alignment is perfectly balanced as much as you can.
of what I’ve been drawing my inspiration from lately.
But really, I could talk for hours on this stuff so I’ll try and
That particular line of inspiration has been feeding into
the clients want. With the James Bond house for instance,
a lot of my designs, and it’s really about trying to bring the outdoors inside, particularly for smaller homes and apartments where you don’t have that amazing access to the outdoors necessarily and bringing that in has become really important. I think it also links really well to your inner well-being, which is where I’ve been drawing inspiration from lately too. As well as all of the amazing patterns from Milan and Europe.
stay on track! I guess it’s also about really listening to what the architecture of that house was something so completely modern, it reminded me of something from the Hollywood Hills but it was set within this completely rural setting. With the interiors, I wanted it to be sleek, with amazing attention to detail like the architecture, but I also wanted to bring in that beautiful warmth of a rural setting. I guess that dovetails back to my philosophy of really drawing inspiration from everything around me, so I can develop and form a palette and design methodology that’s consistent throughout the entire house. 7
External Floor / Roden Perla Slip Resistant 450 x 900mm
Let’s talk the James Bond House,
what was the initial brief for the project? The client really left it up to me. I had the most incredible clients! They had originally built this house to stay in for a number of years and have their children live there, but then their children ended up moving overseas, and travelling, and doing other things, so they decided they would probably have to sell halfway through that build process. When they first approached me, they basically said ‘we have no idea what we want, you just show us what you think and then we will just let the design evolve from there’. I really didn’t have a brief which is kind of cool in a sense, although it’s a bit challenging too as you don’t have a goal to achieve specifically.
Having no clear brief is such a challenge in itself, but did you face any other challenges along the way?
Honestly it was a dream project. We had the perfect team of collaborators that all had similar visions for the house, which was to make it incredibly epic. Somehow it all just came together. I’d say the only really tricky area we faced was the wine-cellar and what to do down there. I had an idea in my mind, and then the clients had such a different idea, so it was about bringing those two ideas together and I think we ended up nailing it in the end. My idea for the wine cellar was very similar to what we did upstairs for the rest of the house, really drawing on that same sleek feel, whilst also adding a bit of a rustic feel. Whereas the client initially wanted a medieval-style
With that in mind, I just drew inspiration from the architecture and the surroundings,
wine cellar so that was definitely a little bit challenging as well!
and I wanted to work out a way to make this home as spectacular on the inside as it is on the outside all whilst maintaining a Queensland aesthetic as well.
At the end of the day, they wanted to sell it so it had to appeal to a wide variety of people, which is going to be really tricky with this house like this as it’s on such a mammoth scale! So in terms of brief… I pretty much wrote my own! 11
Knowing the initial brief and ideas from the client in regards to the wine cellar and the idea you initially had in mind,
looking at the finished product now I can definitely see how you’ve seamlessly nailed this beautiful midpoint!
Thank you so much! That’s so nice to hear! But honestly, everything really came together so well. The electrical consultant for the job was incredible, the Earp Bros tiles were amazing, everyone loved them. Honestly, everyone and everything just came together so well. It was one of those seamless projects.
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Floor
/
Moov Grey Slip Resistant 600 x 600mm
Feature Wall / Capri Grey 450 x 1200mm
With the Earp Bros surface materials, you can see them all throughout
the house, what was your overall
impression of the surface materials used?
We love them! As soon as I got the commission for this job to start on the design, there was no doubt in my mind that I had to use tiles from Earp Bros, particularly the Roden Perla tiles, I’m always asking for samples of that product! It’s just my absolute favourite style of tile and when I showed the client that tile, they absolutely fell in love with it too! It’s just got this beautiful warm undertone to it, it’s clean and fresh and perfect for those bathroom areas and it married up so well with having a very monochromatic palette. It was fun to use that particular tile because we not only used it in the bathrooms, but we also used it along the fireplace too. It kind of pops up in unexpected places and it was so much fun to be able to use that material in so many different ways, and it always looks slightly different. 15
Floating Bench / Roden Perla Natural 450 x 900mm Fireplace / Mosaic Rectangular Black Matt 23 x 73mm
Wall / Mosaic Rectangular Black Matt 23 x 73mm
One last question, is there particular space you’re dying to work with and design and what does your dream project look like?
Ohh that’s a good one! Dream project? Probably another James Bond house! No brief, do whatever you like, we trust you, that type of thing! Also, I love working out in Chandler, the houses out there are beautiful and there doesn’t seem to be any rules that apply to that area. You can go from super modern like the James Bond house through to renaissance style and everything in between.
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Wall
/ Xlight Concrete Black 3000 x 1000 x 3.5mm Images courtesy of Liquid Architecture
PROJECT PERFECTION / BRUCE STREET
Bruce Street Fuelled by a desire to be different a somewhat ambiguous brief turned into a creative pursuit of excellence. The result? A stunning, light-filled property, with a surprise at every turn and we sat down with Stephen Gray of Liquid Architecture to find out more about this stunning Newcastle home.
Project
/
BRUCE STREET HOUSE
Design
/
Stephen Gray of Liquid Architecture
Location
/
The Junction, Newcastle Approx. Size
/
480 m2
What was your brief for this project? To conceive a contemporary lifestyle home suited to modern requirements with multiple living areas – both indoors and out, with seamless transition. Four bedroom suites, each with private bathroom
Aesthetically – the brief was wonderfully ambiguous except stating a desire to be different.
and walk-through robes. 21
What is your design approach and philosophy?
First and foremost design has to be collaborative. The needs and wants of the client are primary. My own thoughts on beauty and balance in design shifts over time, so I find it best to take each commission as it comes.
What does your design process
look like and how does it evolve
throughout a project?
Generally, I will ask a client to talk me through their brief while walking around a site and I’m mentally sketching ideas while this is happening. Once I’m alone and back in the office, I connect brain to paper via hand and pencil. Initial ideas are left alone for a time and revisited and revised, then later developed and presented to the client. And then it moves forward accordingly.
Wall
/ Boulevard White 333 x 1000mm
Floor
/ Park Black 596 x 596mm
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Aesthetically –
the brief was wonderfully ambiguous
except stating a desire to be different. ~ Stephen Gray
What were your sources of inspiration when designing this home?
This site in particular was a perfectly flat, formed rectangle. I had to create and generate a level of interest, and creatively, the streetscapes of New York came to mind. As I studied the site with the client, I thought I could steal that famous footprint and overlay it in Bruce Street with a perfect grid bisected with a diagonal slash, creating intimate and interesting spaces throughout.
How did you decide on the surface
materials used in this project? Can you
give us a rundown of your selections and your thought process behind it?
I’m obsessed to the point of distraction with black and white.
I knew the external walls would be white rendered masonry and black zinc with splashes of hardwood to soften the palette. Black polished concrete on the floor downstairs, with hardwood up top with white walls again with hardwood for contrast. I wanted to use large format tiles for the wet areas and the staircase void. We had the height to carry it off. The palette is mostly limited to black, white and the bits between. The public wet areas are softer, both texturally and colour-wise. The three secondary ensuites (all boys) are harsher darker spaces.
What is your impression of the surface materials now they are installed and part of the finished design?
I’ve heard nothing but enthusiastic praise for the selections. They are perfectly fit for purpose. Beautiful products, laid by craftsmen! I can’t imagine what the house would have looked like with any alternative.
What was it like to work with Earp Bros on this project?
Invigorating and comforting. I love being able to share the design process with experts because you know going in that you’ll come out with an unsurpassable product.
What is your favourite part of this design? I love the bathroom! I’ve always wanted to design a bathroom, one that literally has only a bath in it. To see it realised was fabulous.
Floor
/ Xlight Premium Savage Dark Polished 1200 x 1200 x 6mm
Wall
/ Xlight Premium Savage Dark Polished 1200 x 2500 x 6mm
27
Floor
/ Cement Soft Pink 200x200mm Cement White 200x200mm
Image courtesy of Yarra Point Group Photography by Kate Shanasy
I’m obsessed
to the point of distraction with black and white. ~ Stephen Gray
How is Peaches different? How did you give Peaches that competitive edge?
I think the fitout and colour scheme in particular is unique, we are not trained designers and so could perhaps approach the project from a unique angle. Peaches is located at 301 Swanston St, Melbourne 4pm to 1am Monday to Thursday and 12pm to 3am Friday to Saturday
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Facade / XTONE Bottega Caliza 1500 x 3200mm
Durable, elegant, functional. XTONE large format porcelain slabs bring your ideas to life. The range of formats, thicknesses and finishes provide endless possibilities when designing floors, walls, countertops and facades.
Countertop / XTONE Bottega Caliza 1500x3200mm
Push for perfection. Available in continuous and book-match designs with a full colour matched slab body, XTONE offers countless advantages over other slab products in both porcelain and natural stone.
Countertop / XTONE Bottega Acero 1500 x 3200mm
Countertop / XTONE Glem White 1500 x 3200mm
Countertop / XTONE Glem White 1500 x 3200mm
Countertop / XTONE Bottega Acero 1200 x 1200mm
Floor & Wall / Arctic White Classico 400 x 800mm Images courtesy of A&M Building @aandmbuilding Photography by Stuart James Photography @stuartjamesptyltd
The marble Carrara tiles from Earp Bros looks just spectacular against the arctic white marble and that curve! I can’t praise my tiler enough, it’s just spectacular. ~ A & M Builders
PROJECT PERFECTION / NERO
Nero
With a desire for detail, custom design and high-quality surface materials, project NERO is nothing short of magnificent. Located in Brisbane, designed by Harry Poulos Architects
and built by A & M Builders, this modern home offers a truly unforgettable experience. Taking delight in the detail, we sat down with A & M Builders to find out more about the project.
Project
/
NERO
Design & Build
/
Harry Poulos Architects and A & M Builders
@harrypoulosarchitects
@aandmbuilding
I knew this build would be different and unusual due to the unique style and products selected and I was thrilled to be part of such a modern styled home.
Location
/
Greenslopes, Brisbane
Approx. Size
/
280 m2
What was your brief for this project? When I first met with the architect, I was asked to provide a quote for a unique modern styled home. One with threemeter doors, three-meter high ceilings and shadow lines throughout. I knew this build would be different and unusual due to the unique style and products selected and I was thrilled to be part of such a modern styled home. 43
Floor & Wall / Pure White Slip Resistant 600 x 600mm
What is your building approach and philosophy?
A & M Building’s philosophy is to deliver quality homes through a genuine and personal approach. I honestly love building and thrive on the opportunity to create stunning homes. I started carpentry in 2003 through a schoolbased apprenticeship and very quickly realized that this was my passion. I have strived to show that the A & M Building philosophy is to prioritise communication, firstly with the client and their needs, and secondly with all the trades that help make their dreams a reality.
What does your building process look like and how does it evolve
throughout a project?
I always like to meet my clients. Architects have usually already spent hours with the client completing the drawings and making sure they’re comfortable working with each other. Personally, I always make sure that I take the time to meet with the client and put them at ease knowing we can complete their project for them on time and on budget. Secondly, changes are always embraced because no matter how solid a set of drawings and selections are, when a client looks at plans compared to what is being constructed around them, changes are inevitable. While on the NERO project, the feature en suite foyer tiles changed. The client decided to add more depth to the en suite foyer area, which resulted in changing the Penny Round Bianco Carrara feature to the Penny Round Nero. Earp Bros assisted us greatly in sourcing the additional extra mosaics and thanks to this collaboration, there was little delay to the project. The change really tied everything in so well, and connects the all-black walk-in-robe resulting in a beautiful transition into the marble bathroom.
How do you approach the relationship
with your clients and specifiers
(architect/designer)?
The relationship is vital. I mentioned it before but meeting with the client and ensuring we can communicate well, is the key to all great relationships. No matter how well you’ve prepared there will always be something to change or alter as you move through a build. When I call the architect/designer, I always pose the problem followed by the solution. This seems to work well because everyone is on the same page with how to continue moving the project forward which is everyone’s priority. When we changed the mosaic tiles in NERO, Earp Bros were so helpful and tracked down a few extra pieces from their Sydney warehouse. Situations like this allow the project to continue and put the client’s needs first, which is what we’re all here to do.
What do you think is key to a successful project?
The end project is built! Delivered within the time-frame, costs, and scope but most of all, the client loves their home. A & M Building has a great team of carpenters and trade professionals who all have the same passion for building as I do. Our team has worked for A & M Building for many years, and this consistency has enabled A & M Building to continually deliver high-quality, exceptional builds. All in all, the key to a successful project is communication and being able to build the architect, designer, and client’s vision into being.
Wall & Floor / Arctic White Classico 400 x 800mm Floor Insert / Penny Round Nero Marquina 20mm
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The whole house was like a statement, with the three-meter doors and standing at 6’3 even I felt their grandeur. The windows are bespoke, architectural steel frame windows constructed by Windows of the World. The Arctic White marble tiles were from Spain and the shadow stone used in the fireplace was mined from Australia and was the last of its kind. I knew that there was no room for error with these selections, so I approached everything with care and precision, and briefed all the trades on the need to be extra vigilant while working with the products. ~ A & M Builders
Floor & Wall / Pure White Slip Resistant 600 x 600mm
How did you approach the surface materials used in this project?
All the materials used in NERO were impressive. The whole house was like a statement, with the threemeter doors and standing at 6’3 even I felt their grandeur. A few fun facts about the materials used in NERO. The windows are bespoke, architectural steel frame windows constructed by Windows of the World. The Arctic White marble tiles were from Spain and the shadow stone used in the fireplace was mined from Australia and was the last of its kind. I knew that there was no room for error with these selections, so I approached everything with care and precision, and briefed all the trades on the need to be extra vigilant while working with the products.
What is your impression of the surface materials now that they have been
installed and part of the finished build?
The finished build is just spectacular, it’s brought admiration from many of the suppliers because seeing the materials installed around so many amazing products and surroundings has brought everyone such gratification seeing how great everything can look. A & M Building has built many homes with high-quality products, but I hadn’t seen them used the way they were used here. By far my favourite part of the entire house is the en suite’s curved shower seat! The marble Carrara tiles from Earp Bros looks just spectacular against the arctic white marble and that curve!!!! I can’t praise my tiler enough, it’s just spectacular.
What was it like to work with Earp Bros on this project?
Earp Bros was attentive and supportive through the build.
My passion is to complete a stunning home that clients love, and Earp Bros had the same drive and went over and above to get extra tiles for us when the clients changed the feature floor. The staff were all helpful and knew their products. The arctic white marble is one of the most beautiful marble tiles A & M Building has used and I will be recommending it to our future clients.
What was your favourite part of the build for this project?
It truly is the en suite! The whole room is one of my favourite creations. It featured floor to ceiling 800 x 400mm Arctic White Marble tiles with Penny Round Bianco Carrara used in three distinct areas. Floor to ceiling feature behind the toilet, feature panel behind the custom-made cabinetry, a shower niche and my all-time favourite curved shower seat. Paired with the Astra Walker Eco Brass fittings, there’s so many elements that you would think it would be busy, but it just tied together so spectacularly.
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Pool Mosaics / Bali Stone Pool Surround / Minnesota Moka S/R Images courtesy of Spyre Group @spyregroup
Wall / XLIGHT Nvy White
PROJECT PERFECTION / NATURA
Natura Apartments by Laura Kebby
Driven by excellence, an emerging trend in apartment living is all about offering resort style accommodation combined with the intimate touches of home. Situated on one of the Gold Coast’s most exclusive beachfront locations, the Burleigh Heads Natura apartments offer uninterrupted ocean views, and an unrivaled level of sophistication, but with home at the heart of the design. We spoke to Design Manager Kent Pinel from Spyre Group about why Natura is truly the epitome of coastal sophistication.
Floor / Delfos Crema
The Burleigh Heads Natura apartments is such a phenomenal project, can you tell us a little bit about your role?
of that process look like?
My background is in architecture, but I made the move
This project really resonates with its location. So, in the
into property development, and now work as Design Manager coordinating the design team as a part of Spyre Group. My drivers around design are to ensure that every project achieves the highest quality design outputs, by bringing all of the strong ideas together. Whilst I have a design influence, I also rely on our trusted consultants to pull the packages together, and my connection with Earp Bros comes from demanding high-quality products, which is how we ended up working together on the Natura apartments.
When you’re approaching a project like the Natura apartments, what does the beginning
case of the Natura apartments, the beachfront at Burleigh is probably the most sought-after location on the Gold Coast, and that leads into the design outcomes for the project. It all comes from the first principles of design. We look at the context, the local setting, and the quality of the location, and consider what would be an apt insertion in that environment. In this instance, the Burleigh beachfront demanded a refined and sophisticated palette and form, and that was the initial design driver for Natura.
53
Floor / Delfos Crema
When considering the finished project, it’s very clear that the beautiful natural elements of Burleigh Heads had such a weighted influence on the overall design, was that your driving intention? Absolutely, it was so important to us to offer the residents a space that was complementary to the quality of the natural environment. This was an elevated ocean aspect apartment, with an open pool deck, and a wellness centre which would all work to showcase one of the best beaches on the Southern Hemisphere right at their front door. So we had to make that work together. You want to make sure that you’re not taking away from the quality of the beach so we needed to offer something different. For example, our pool is very much an experiential space with scalloped edges, seating, and reflexology - which is a shallow pool area where you can just sit and bathe. With Natura, you’ve got one of the best beaches in the world at your front door and with this in mind we needed to be able to offer something to the residents to be able to step back and overlook that even when they don’t feel like being in that public space. So it’s private and elevated and a really beautiful space to be.
Were there any challenges in terms of trying to capitalise on that beautiful environment but also simultaneously understanding that a residential space requires a large element of privacy?
Absolutely. That line of inquiry really influenced the location of the common area. A beautiful pallet of materials, lifted up above the street level. You still have that privacy whilst maintaining that connection with the public realm and it still overlooks the esplanade so you have a sense of connection. But at the same time, the space provides you with the ability to be elevated away from being seen if you so choose. There’s this beautiful sense of seclusion inside a pristine space.
Floor / Delfos Crema Wall / Haifu White Porcelain Mosaic
You were presented with so many opportunities with the Natura apartments, was there anything in particular that stood out as being really unique to this particular project?
It’s a really strong design-lead project. We offer two apartments per level, and there’s no compromise in the design plate. Every apartment all the way up the tower is consistent because we’ve refined that floor plan to what we see as the ideal setting for the environment. Typically, when you enter an apartment building, especially multires apartments, you enter straight into living areas or into the open-plan living space, whereas at Natura we’ve actually created a space at the arrival into a semiprivate sun lounge area, which takes in the vistas of the Burleigh headlands. There’s a large headland to the south, and the small headland to the north, so you’re able to take all of that in, all before you enter the living areas of the apartments.
When you arrive in a room beautifully adorned with finishes that overlooks an external vertical garden with hanging plants and full height glazing, it’s a really unique insertion for apartment living to have that sort of space as your arrival experience. The whole space just has this beautiful natural flow and feel to it all... Absolutely! Subtle, natural materials are probably the strongest driver for our materiality and we’ve transferred that across the entire design. From the arrival experience on the ground floor we’ve got natural products all the way to the lobby and even inside the lifts. The flooring for the elevators in the building is natural stone. When you arrive in your apartment, you come back into this sunroom space with large format natural stone and the beautiful large format porcelain floor, while overlooking this beautiful vertical garden on the outside of the building.
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With your desire to use all these beautiful natural materials, did you face anything particularly challenging throughout the project? The challenge for us was whenever we wanted to apply a material, we really wanted to apply it holistically, starting with travertine and beautiful glazed mosaic tiles in the bathrooms. In the master en suite, we elaborately used glazed mosaic tiles, which are a very expensive high-end product. What we didn’t want to do, however, was just apply them as a feature tile; we really wanted to apply them throughout. The overall result of the space is so much more of a resort feel than an apartment, with curved walls of glazed mosaics right through into the shower, the en suite and the vanities, and with natural stone as the feature behind the freestanding bath. The challenge with these particular elements, however, was for the developer to commit to the extent of finishes that we wanted, using such high-end specifications rarely seen in project developments. Typical apartments will use a splash or a feature of material, but we wanted to holistically apply these materials. If we were going to use travertine and glazed mosaics, we wanted to apply them liberally and to the extent that would be expected of the experience we were after. So that’s really that luxury resort-feel that we were trying to achieve, especially in those bathroom and wet areas where the extent of the tiles and materials typically wouldn’t extend as far as what we chose to do. So that was the challenge, to balance the project costs with the allocation of materials.
Does that make this particular project unique, especially with the way you’ve used those materials?
Absolutely it is. The project itself doesn’t rely on feature elements, it’s about a consistent palette across the entire apartment. The large-format porcelain flooring continues across the entire floor plate and into the wet areas. In the living room, we’ve used large-format porcelain on our cabinetry as well as natural stone for the island bench and master en suite vanities, and the natural travertine is found throughout the apartment as well. It’s definitely a project that is the exception to the standard when it comes to materials. Floor / Delfos Crema Wall / Haifu White Porcelain Mosaic
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Let’s talk about the pool… it’s magnificent, to say the least! Can you tell me about the surface materials you used both in the pool and surrounds? It goes back to the natural material driver of the project. When you enter the pool deck space, you are in a beautiful, natural travertine environment and the flooring and the walls are clad in natural stone. The pool itself is designed as a bit of a gem in that space. It’s fully lined with glass mosaics, specifically the Bali Stone tile, and there’s a variant between the levels of the pool. In the shallow area, which we call the reflexology space, the material works really well. It’s so textual and the small glazed mosaics have such a nice feel to them when you’re sitting and lounging in that space, as well as the look you get from swimming laps or recreationally using the pool. The scalloped edges also exemplify that. We utilised that scalloped shape, which is driven from the coastline setting and the ebbs and flows of the coastline in the edging of the pool, which actually complements but inverts the design of the tower as well. Where the pool comes in and under the residential tower, the tower itself has the opposing scallops so it all starts to work together in that space. We also wanted the look and feel of the natural timber deck in the pool space but we were really drawn to the natural quality, durability, and look and feel of the Starwood product for the deck. It works really well in that space and adds an element that is natural in its look, but provides the quality that we’re after for a durable and fit-to-purpose installation beside the pool deck.
It’s just so much more than pure functionality with such luxury at the heart of the design,
everything about the pool area is so natural… Absolutely and I think the landscape is also extremely important to this project as well. Right from the start of the design, landscape was key. We wanted to make a really tranquil and rich setting, especially for that common area level. The landscaping is quite dense and so is the frontage to the esplanade, but it also hangs down from the vertical garden and that works really well against the anodised cladding, which is around the perimeter. The landscaping also works naturally with the travertine and those greens really bring out the richness of the pool colour. All of those together really make this a luxurious getaway-type space.
The age-old phrase of ‘from where you’d rather be’ really springs to mind when you think about the Natura apartments…
The brilliance of that is to have a resort feel but the added benefit of being in a private residential setting. It was about that look and feel but also taking it to the next level by being a private space unencumbered by your traditional resort furnishing.
What was it like to work with Earp Bros on this particular project?
Fantastic! Always wanted to get the best project that we can so we worked really closely with the Brisbane studio to test and refine each of the selections. The group are always on hand to answer any questions and provide as much information as possible on each of the products. Spyre Group are also thorough in their selections. We took samples from the showroom and tried to really scratch them out the back of our office, just to understand what we were getting and to test them against competitors’ products. We took it to great extents to make sure we were promoting the best product we could.
Floor / Delfos Crema Wall / Haifu White Porcelain Mosaic
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Floor / Bottega Acero
TRENDING STYLE / SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability by design Prioritising sustainable design and construction
supplier to achieve Global GreenTag GoldPlus & Level A
methods can be tricky, and taking into account
certification with Declare Red List Free status.
budget requirements and time constraints, sustainability during the design or build process could well be considered somewhat of a luxury. We get it. The world of sustainable design and supplies can be particularly tricky to navigate. On top of all of the other decision-heavy tasks for your particular project, the process can actually seem slightly overwhelming. But all hope is not lost. The first step? Reach out to a supplier you can trust. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Earp Bros. We are Australia’s first and only supplier of Green Certified tiles and we take pride in upholding ethical values, and are proud to be the only Australian tile
When it comes to your home, your personal or professional project, it’s important to make the right, healthy choice for you and your family. Tiles are manufactured all over the world and vary greatly by manufacturing method, working conditions, and raw materials. By engaging with suppliers that you can trust however, you can be assured complete transparency, allowing you to build with little to no VOC’s and the best product choices for the environment. At Earp Bros we are proud to have access to some of the most beautiful and innovative sustainable tiling products and materials in the world. The following products are just a small example of the exquisite possibilities available for your next project, all designed with sustainability in mind.
Ceppo Inspired by the natural Ceppo di gres stone of Lombardy, Italy, our Ceppo range of technical porcelain offers the perfect balance of colour, texture and movement. The elegance and beauty of naturally occurring Ceppo di Gré has been captured and artfully retold through one of the world’s hardest and most durable materials.
Floor / Ceppo Stone 63
Starwood Absolute precision and craftsmanship combine to form the Starwood collection by Venis. Designed with the natural world in mind, these porcelain wood-look tiles carefully imitate natural timber with ultra-realistic detail. With the new Starwood collection, The Porcelanosa Group have created a revolutionary product. Using an innovative new inkjet technology to form micro-structures on the surface, the intricacies of natural wood are stunningly reproduced, right down to the wood knots and timber grain. The Starwood range is the largest selection of timber look tile colours in Australia, available in both decorative wall tiles and porcelain floor tiles for both residential homes and commercial projects (slip resistant finishes available).
Wall / Noa Minnesota Cream
Floor / Bottega Acero
Bottega The roughness of cement with a fine and sophisticated design, Bottega is available in both interior and slip resistant finishes for homes and commercial spaces. The unfortunate reality is, the Australian construction industry generates more than 20 million tonnes of waste every year but as a community, we know we have a responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint and impact on the environment. Through knowledge, ethical partnerships and proven success, we know we can do better and our stance on ethical manufacturing is second to none. If homeowners, builders, architects, designers, and suppliers work together, we can all do our best to not only improve the natural environment but look towards a much more sustainable future for the world at large. By using green-certified products you can be sure you are making the most sustainable choice. And it all starts at home.
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Floor / Tanzania Walnut
PRODUCT PARAGON / STARWOOD
Absolute precision and craftsmanship combine to form the STARWOOD collection by Venis. Designed with the natural world in mind, these porcelain wood-look tiles carefully imitate natural timber with ultra-realistic detail. The Starwood collection is also a part of our green certified range, meaning it’s not only better for you and your family, but better for the environment too, all designed with sustainability in mind.
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Floor / Tanzania Wine Wall / Ice Tanzania Wine
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Floor / Vancouver Nude
With the new Starwood collection, The Porcelanosa Group have created a revolutionary product. Using an innovative new inkjet technology to form micro-structures on the surface, the intricacies of natural wood are stunningly reproduced, right down to the wood knots and timber grain.
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Floor / Tanzania Walnut
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Floor / Tanzania Almond Wall /
Maia Tanzania Almond
The Starwood range is the largest selection of timber look tile colours in Australia, available in both decorative wall tiles for indoor use and porcelain floor tiles for both residential homes and commercial projects (slip resistant finishes available).
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Floor / Tanzania Nut
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WATERPROOF The impervious surface prevents absorption of liquids and gases, preventing the accumulation of odours.
Countertop / XTONE Moon White 1500x3200mm
SCRATCH RESISTANT Extremely resistant to scratching with cutting utensils when taking minimum precautions.
Countertop / XTONE Kala White 1500x3200mm
HYGIENIC Ideal for direct contact with food, it does not release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), and prevents the proliferation of fungi and bacteria.
HEAT + FIRE RESISTANT Hot pans, open flames and radiant heat do not affect the surface.
Countertop / XTONE Aged Dark 500x3200mm
ICE + FROST RESISTANT Stable to sudden temperature changes it can withstand the most extreme cold conditions.
EASY CLEAN Easy daily maintenance, no special cleaners required.
Countertop / XTONE Lush White 1500x3200mm
STAIN RESISTANT Unalterable to household chemicals and high resistance to any types of stains.
WE WANT YOU
Publish Your Project Surface Australia has been created to showcase trends, products and projects within the architecture, design and home improvement sectors. The objective is to inspire our clients and partner networks by providing them with the key to the most contemporary styles while offering a multitude of the newest products and concepts for different spaces.
We have never underestimated the power of peer review and trust. We want you to take the opportunity to share your projects, designs, plans and stories with us so we can share your successes with our growing network.
Together we are bigger and better Amplify your reach and send us your project photos, design briefs, concepts, mood boards and experiences to share across our online, social and Surface Magazine networks.
Requirements The only requirements are that a fair proportion of the hard surfaces used on the project are Earp Bros products and the imagery you provide is:
1. High enough quality for print publication
2. Completely and wholly created, owned or licensed by you
Contact marketing@earp.com.au
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