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designspace www.interfaceflor.com.au
Modular ideology InterfaceFLOR’s new Sydney headquarters
Issue 09/stories:
Mission sustainable – Aquafil manufactures green
‘Balance’ in all things – the new range
Modular becomes mosaic with artist Marion Shapiro
Lion’s den – dynamic spaces at Lion Nathan
Defining spaces at Caroline Springs
InterfaceFLOR green scholarship winners
Designed to inspire – A book of ideas for the floor.
Inspired by the world – there are many objects, images and concepts to fire up an interior designer’s creativity. Some choose a theme for their design, others may be inspired by location, by materials, by a colour palette – or by history, art, music, dance – the options are endless. InterfaceFLOR is aware of the myriad triggers that spark a truly creative interior designer. Its range of modular carpet allows for design flexibility on an unprecedented scale – while also answering the demands of practicality, with sustainable, hard-wearing and easy-to-install products. InterfaceFLOR’s commitment to the environment, embodied in the Mission Zero statement, “to eliminate any negative impact our company may have on the environment by the year 2020”, can also be seen in its range of products, which often take inspiration from nature. In this issue of designspace, we take a look at ‘Balance’, with three ranges ‘Echoes’, ‘Silhouette’ and ‘Yin Yang’ that celebrate the universal concept of finding equilibrium between two opposing forces. We also take a tour through a selection of new and cutting-edge interiors in this issue – each demonstrating the design flexibility that InterfaceFLOR modular carpet tiles offers to the interior designer. Though each project presents a different space and situation, modular has the ability to suit every one, inspiring interiors that make the most of flooring as a tool for creativity. And, if you are finding your inspiration hard to come by, InterfaceFLOR’s new Ideation Gallery provides plenty of visual cues to take your creativity to the next level – find out more opposite in our News section. Enjoy this latest issue of designspace and let the creativity flow!
InterfaceFLOR and the publisher hereby disclaims, to the full extent permitted by law, all liability, damages, costs and expenses whatsoever arising from or in connection with copy information or other material appearing in this publication, any negligence of the publisher, or any person’s actions in reliance thereon. Inclusion of any copy information or other material must not be taken as an endorsement by InterfaceFLOR. Views expressed by contributors are personal views and are not necessarily endorsed by InterfaceFLOR or the publisher. The terms ‘InterfaceFLOR’ and ‘Mission Zero’ are registered trade marks. Published by the Indesign Group (61 2) 9368 0150, info@indesign.com.au © InterfaceFLOR Publisher: Raj Nandan, Indesign Design: Sylvia Weimer, Spacelab Design in association with Indesign Publishing Editors: Penny Craswell, Indesign, Anna Marsh, Indesign, Collette Swindells, Indesign Production: Adele Troeger, Indesign Production Designers: Bronwyn Aalders, Indesign, Eunice Ku, Indesign, Sarah Djemal, Indesign InterfaceFLOR: Sally Orme Printed with soy based ink on 100% recycled paper. No virgin fibre used. Manufactured with 75% post consumer and 25% pre-consumer waste.
Contents
01 News All the latest news for design, sustainability and InterfaceFLOR. 04 Products The qualities of equilibrium inspired the creation of ‘Balance’, InterfaceFLOR’s latest collection.
08 Practice Step inside InterfaceFLOR’s new Sydney headquarters – a heritage building transformed into a stylish multi-functional facility.
12 Principles Learn how InterfaceFLOR influenced Italian yarn supplier Aquafil to adopt sustainable manufacturing processes. 14 Projects We ask interior designers why they used InterfaceFLOR in the Grasshopper Restaurant in New Zealand, Lion Nathan offices in Sydney’s CBD, Virgin Blue headquarters, Brisbane, Caroline Springs Library in Victoria, Babies Galore stores and Broad Construction in WA.
News
InterfaceFLOR : News
Achieving results with Yellow New Zealand phone directory service Yellow™ has set themselves and Auckland designer Tracey Collins, an unusual challenge. Aiming to prove the point that you can get almost anything done using Yellow’s services, they have created their most recent advertising campaign around her real-life mission – to build a restaurant in a tree. Using only Yellow’s directory book, online search engine and her mobile, Collins got to work in late October 2008 contacting people to help her out. She soon found the helpful hands of Peter Eising and his team at Pacific Environment Architects, who were delighted to be involved in such a unique project. Captured across various forms of media, Collins’ blog received nearly 40,000 hits in the campaign’s first two
weeks alone. Quickly rising out of the ground, the final pod-like structure sits 10 metres high in a Redwood tree near Warkworth, northern Auckland. Eising confidently assures everyone that the restaurant will safely hold about 18 people at any one time. Fortunately, only the dining room of the treehouse restaurant sits in the treetops, while the kitchen and other facilities are located on the ground. Access is also provided by an elevated tree-top walkway, with utmost care taken to minimise impact on the surrounding forest. The walkway itself has been constructed with dead Redwood trees found in the surrounding forest. Yellow Treehouse www.yellowtreehouse.co.nz Pacific Environment Architects www.pacificenvironments.co.nz
Gallery of ideas Presenting a selection of images designed to evoke emotive responses, the Ideation Gallery is the latest addition to InterfaceFLOR’s growing website. Aiming to tap in to the early stages of a designer’s research and inspiration, the images have been grouped together under themes that reflect emerging global design trends. Just as a magazine might foreshadow the looks for each season, so too does the Ideation Gallery, presenting fresh ways of looking at design that are non-specific to a single area of focus. Rather, the gallery aims to foreshadow future directions for all areas of focus. InterfaceFLOR www.interfaceflor.com.au
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InterfaceFLOR : News
Modular mosaic
Studio style Taking an experimental approach to design, the Lazerian Studio in London has released a unique collection of furniture designs. The studio, which was set up as a collaboration between English designer Liam Hopkins and artist Richard Sweeney, relies on a hands-on investigation of materials and processes. Based on a study of form in 1.5mm and 3mm birch plywood, the ‘Light Modulator’, ‘Mensa’ dining table and ‘Mensa’ coffee table have all been created with a CNC routing machine, glue and bolts. The ‘Light Modulator’, a limited edition light that casts a beautiful shadow, and the ‘Mensa’ dining table prototype were both exhibited at Design Show Liverpool in 2008, with the ‘Mensa’ winning the Utility Best in Show: Furniture award. The ‘Mensa’ coffee table is the most recent addition to the studio’s modular series of work, exhibiting many of the architectural and structural qualities which inspire the designers. Lazerian Studio www.lazerianstudio.uk
Known for her handcrafted mosaic sculptures, artist Marion Shapiro’s latest work is an innovative installation inspired by, and using, InterfaceFLOR modular tiles. Playing with ideas of transformation and translation, Shapiro’s body of work is inspired by Australia’s landscape and its distinctive light quality. In this instance, Shapiro was commissioned to create an artwork as part of a function which required the client audience to reconsider their outlook and perspective. Using InterfaceFLOR’s carpet tiles as her medium of choice, Shapiro’s creation clearly demonstrates the flexible capabilities of modular carpet, and created an interesting talking point for all those involved. InterfaceFLOR www.interfaceflor.com.au
Sourcing a solution In Abu Dhabi, the issue of sustainability is being taken on at a city-wide level with the development of the world’s first zero waste, zero carbon emissions city, called Masdar. Designed by Foster + Partners, and with a population of 40,000, the city will have solar panels and wind farms which will save 1 million tonnes of energy annually, while 80% of water will be recycled. Taking a very proactive attitude towards finding solutions for the future, it is hoped that Masdar – the Arabic word for ‘source’ – will set new benchmarks for sustainable cities everywhere. Masdar Initiative www.masdaruae.com
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Restoring Venice Sydney-based company Westox has taken their innovative ‘Cocoon’ poultice to Venice, in an attempt to resolve the city’s rising damp problem. ‘Cocoon’, which was developed by former plasterer Barrie Cooper to remove salt from masonry, has been successfully used to treat salt contamination at Fort Denison on the Sydney Harbour and other famous heritage buildings including Australia’s oldest house, Elizabeth Farm (c.1794). Sitting below sea level and positioned across 118 islands and 150 canals, the foundations and basements of many of Venice’s buildings are quickly deteriorating from the effects of salt contamination caused by rising damp. Trials conducted on buildings, including the historical home of Benedictine monks at St Apollonia, have shown promising results with first applications reducing the salt levels of bricks to only 8 per cent. The poultice is trowelled onto surfaces in a 10 millimetre-thick layer and works by slowly releasing water into the masonry, taking the place of the built-up salts which are drawn out when it dries. But Cooper says the real secret to its mix comes from the company’s underlying philosophy, centred around a belief that heritage buildings and structures should be restored in an authentic way to ensure preservation for future generations. His company Westox manufactures over 70 other innovative heritage restoration products and is Australia’s leading supplier, working closely with heritage consultants and architects to preserve buildings in Australia and around the world. Westox www.westox.com
Green Design Scholarship awarded InterfaceFLOR’s Green Designer Scholarship attracted a multitude of eager entrants following its launch in 2008. Shortlisted scholarship candidates were asked to discuss their personal design philosophy for creating sustainable and green interior spaces. Of these candidates, three winners were awarded scholarships after clearly expressing how they would integrate sustainable and environmental design principles into future interior projects. University of New South Wales students, Saul Garcia and Lucinda Dryden, and University of South Australia student Joshua Billington, will spend a day learning valuable product knowledge at InterfaceFLOR. The skills they learn will combine with their GBCA Green Star-accredited Professional course and Advanced Office Interiors course, helping to pave their way into successful interior design careers. InterfaceFLOR www.interfaceflor.com.au Image: Joshua Billington
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InterfaceFLOR : Products
Symbolised by a butterfly, InterfaceFLOR’s new collections Yin Yang, Silhouette and Echoes are all inspired by the universal quality of balance.
Balance –
finding equilibrium Balance is a simple and powerful concept that’s all around us, shaping and defining almost every aspect of our lives and the world we live in. Finding the point of equilibrium between two opposing forces is vital and has been since the beginning of time, with the concept taking early forms in ancient Chinese philosophy in the form of Yin and Yang and with the ancient Greek concept of the Golden Mean. From philosophy through to nature, science, economics, art, music and dance – the importance of balance can be shared and personal, spiritual and physical, tiny and enormous. Taking inspiration from this universal idea, InterfaceFLOR’s Balance brings together three distinctive collections that individually and collectively offer a striking combination of contrasts. With a focus on harmony, these three collections speak to something universal within us – balance as direction, inspiration and a vision for peace.
InterfaceFLOR : Products
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“Even God cannot make two mountains without a valley in between� Gaelic Proverb
Yin Yang Based on the ancient Chinese concept celebrating opposing forces, like man and woman, dark and light, high and low, each design in this series has distinct forms that are dependent on the other, creating a perfect blend of sophisticated beauty and sensory comfort. With 16 colour ways and 12 eye-catching patterns, the Yin Yang collection offers an outstanding combination of balance, beauty and endless possibilities.
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InterfaceFLOR : Products
Silhouette Silhouette is inspired by the play of shadows and light, with a bold interplay of style, form and imagery to catch the eye and capture the imagination. Available in four vivid patterns and a single dramatic colour way, the Silhouette collection delivers a unique statement and style.
“Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see� Martin Luther King, Jr
InterfaceFLOR : Products
“Time past and time future, what might have been and what has been, point to one end, which is always present” T. S. Eliot
Echoes Echoes is a reflection of a bygone era – past meets present in timeless textures, given a contemporary twist to create something that signifies a balance of time itself. Bringing together four classic patterns and a single, rich colour way, the collection balances tradition and innovation while effortlessly communicating tales from the past.
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InterfaceFLOR : Practice
The perfect match InterfaceFLOR’s occupation of a 120-year-old heritage building in the centre of Sydney is the first successful conversion of the site since its original use as a social and educational facility for railway employees.
InterfaceFLOR : Practice
It took two years to find the ideal building for InterfaceFLOR’s new Sydney headquarters. The former Railway Institute Building in Surry Hills presented the perfect match, reflecting InterfaceFLOR’s commitment to sustainability through the adaptive re-use of a heritage space. The building provided a unique opportunity to house all InterfaceFLOR operations under one roof including: office, retail, design and showroom. The focus for the design was to maintain the integrity of the building’s original structures and fabrics, with a contemporary insertion providing a contrasting modern aesthetic. These new elements were guided by the concept of “defining spaces within space,” comments Rebecca Yeo, Interior Designer, Rice Daubney. Up for the challenge – the architects and designers were faced with a 120-year-old heritage building packed with restrictions which needed to be transformed into a modern commercial space with a five star green rating. Every decision on the refurbishment was made with sustainability a top priority. The designers took advantage of the building’s preexisting green attributes, including a north facing aspect, large operable windows – supplying natural ventilation and sunlight – with pre-existing fabrics and structures restored and recycled where possible.
The location could also be considered green, because it is so close to public transport. Materials conforming to the highest sustainability factors were specified, focussing on the products’ durability, eco-preferred content, environmental manufacturing and installation, modularity and product stewardship. An integrated approach between Tanner Architects (base building) and Rice Daubney (interior fit-out) capitalised on the building’s pre-existing planning and character to minimise new construction and waste. Further to this, all new interior finishes and structures complement or sit in strong contrast with pre-existing elements, defining old and new. Introduced structures and fabrics lightly touch the building, with the option to be dismantled and removed. The floor treatment was planned under the same concept as the interiors. Using InterfaceFLOR’s own modular carpet ranges in the interiors demonstrates the flexibility of the products where layouts can be changed as required. “Starting from the blank canvas, we created a number of mini art works on the floor to define small spaces within big spaces”, says Rebecca Lloyd, Design and Development Manager, InterfaceFLOR. “The way we designed the flooring layout allows us to easily change rugs, inserts and feature areas to have a continually evolving interior space.” >>
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InterfaceFLOR : Practice
InterfaceFLOR : Practice
Carpets and rugs are set away from the walls, exposing the heritage timber floorboards. InterfaceFLOR products are perfect for this situation, where a minimal effect on existing floor material is desired. The carpets and rugs are installed using TacTiles, a glue-free system that can be used without damaging heritage floorboards. The patterned rugs in shades of reds, maroons, pinks, oranges and blue in the offices, work to define spaces (without the use of additional walls) and inform direction while also adding warmth and colour to the pre-existing neutral palette of whites, timbers, concrete and steel. Natural sunlight in the building further enhances the rainbow of colours. The ground floor houses the offices, lined by large ornate windows and divided by a generous central corridor. The office spaces were designed to fit into the existing interior spaces – providing smaller team working environments. Unexpected and refreshing – the auditorium is home to the showroom, offering a unique dramatic and inspiring showroom. This dynamic space is used to display the modular carpet range, with a stepped stage and movable walls of the meeting room that allow the space to be used for client presentations and functions. Commanding the attention on the second and mezzanine level are two over-sized pods, one sitting centre stage which can be used for temporary installations. The second extrudes out from
InterfaceFLOR Headquarters, Sydney Interior Architect: Rice Daubney Architect/initial refurbishment: Tanner Architects Photography: Tyrone Branigan Flooring: Syncopation, Cubic Collection, Solid Foundation, 1968 Collection
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the mezzanine level, housing the formal boardroom. A third box structure frames the entry, divided in two, containing the kitchenette and meeting room. These insertions flexibly define spaces and further highlight the distinction between old and new. “The fit-out is an important experience of the InterfaceFLOR brand for staff and clients. The adaptive re-use of space reflects InterfaceFLOR’s approach to the built environment and role we all play in furthering sustainability initiatives,” says Yeo. Leaders in design and sustainability – InterfaceFLOR’s arrival at 101 Chalmers Street is a fine example of how a Sydney heritage building can become an exceptionally stylised, practical and sustainable commercial work environment while also presenting their flexible modular carpet range in situ. The adaptive re-use of the interior spaces seamlessly blend all operations of the company, improving the experience and knowledge of the brand and products for both staff and client.
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InterfaceFLOR : Principles
Closing
the loop As part of their sustainability mission, InterfaceFLOR have also influenced companies they work with to take on a green agenda. Here we learn about Italian yarn manufacturer and supplier Aquafil, who are now world leaders in sustainable manufacturing in their sector.
Aquafil is a manufacturer of synthetic fibres and polymers with headquarters in Lake Garda in the Dolomite Mountains in Northern Italy. The company produces plastics, yarn for the fashion industry and yarn for carpet. Last year alone, Aquafil supplied 9000 tonnes of yarn to InterfaceFLOR, who account for 15% of their total sales. As part of InterfaceFLOR’s sustainability revolution which started in the 1990s, they began to question the green credentials of all their partners – what they now call ‘Closing the Loop’ on sustainability. This included influencing suppliers like Aquafil. “We were pushed to think about our sustainability by Interface,” says Elena Scapini, Sales Director at Aquafil, who visited Australia from their headquarters in Italy last year, along with Maria Teresa Tomaselli of Aquafil Asia Pacific. “It was Interface who first suggested we create solutiondyed yarns,” Scapini adds.
InterfaceFLOR : Principles
“As well as avoiding dyEing, solution-dyed yarn has a longer life and the longer it can perform the less it needs to be replaced and the less it impacts on the environment” Solution-dyed yarns were created as a response to the sheer amount of pollution generated by dyeing a yarn – the chemical used for the dye, usually in liquid form, ends up as a potentially major pollutant. With solution-dyed yarns, the double process is reduced to one, with colour granules added before the process of extrusion that makes the yarn. “As well as avoiding dyeing, solution-dyed yarn has a longer life and the longer it can perform, the less it needs to be replaced and the less it impacts on the environment,” says Scapini. Following this first step, Aquafil has undergone a thorough process of environmental auditing, presenting a sustainability report for the future, and is developing new ways to manufacture that are friendly to the environment. “When Interface’s turn towards environmental policy went bigger and bigger, we tried to also advance our research and development more and more,” says Scapini.
The next step was to recycle post-industrial materials left over after the process of manufacturing, followed by a new phase, just starting, of using post-consumer content. “When we received the fluff cut from off the carpet from Interface and put it back through our machines, we created postconsumer recycled yarn for the first time,” says Scapini. It’s also not hard to be concerned for the environment when you look out every day onto the beautiful Dolomite Mountains. “In Italy, we are located in a very nice environment, a tourist resort on the Lake Garda, the biggest lake in Italy, surrounded by very high mountains,” says Scapini. “So environmental consciousness is something that’s come along with our industrial activity there.” In this way, InterfaceFLOR is contributing to the preservation of our future environment, not only within their own company, but also through influencing others to do the same.
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InterfaceFLOR Project : Caroline Springs
As modern libraries seek to re-establish themselves as vibrant community centres, the need for cutting edge interiors is paramount. We visit Caroline Springs Civic Centre and Library and look at how InterfaceFLOR modular carpet tiles have helped transform this space.
Library leads Caroline Springs, on Melbourne’s fringe, isn’t known for contemporary architecture, so when Suters Prior Cheney were asked to re-design the Civic Centre and Library they went back to the foundations of the region to begin the design process. Asked to create a space that would be able to sustain many functions at once, they drew influence from the columnar basalt formations of the nearby Organ Pipes National Park, with their irregular layers of basalt and granite, to guide
the multi-layered design for its usage. “We didn’t see a library as merely a receptacle for books. It’s about delivering community services and activities to a broad range of people, both in terms of ages and cultural background,” says architect Mark van den Enden, Practice Design Manager for Suters Prior Cheney Architects. Not surprisingly, the resultant materials and forms found at the Caroline Springs Civic Centre and Library are both engaged with and
InterfaceFLOR Project : Caroline Springs
“We didn’t see a library as merely a receptacle for books. It’s about delivering community services and activities to a broad range of peoplE”
open to many functions. The library’s façade, for example, made of concrete and two layers of translucent glass, is used as a projection screen at night, with community events projected on LCD screens. The concrete honeycomb panels are also individually customized to allow sunlight to animate both the interior and exterior concrete panels. Even the library’s concertinaed glass windows, a composite of clear and reflective glass, suggest two forces at work. The central spine of the library, which cuts through the building from east to west, also has a number of different functions, with
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InterfaceFLOR carpets used to cleverly section off different areas. Interior Designer, Alex Hotchin says the floor pattern for the library space was also based on the local basalt formation pattern, radiating from the entry and customer service area with bold fractured lines running across the floor. >>
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InterfaceFLOR Project : Caroline Springs
InterfaceFLOR Project : Caroline Springs
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“The directional line pattern of ‘Chenille Time’ modular tiles was used for the linear lines across the floor space, and ‘Dot Com’ was chosen as the base tile because of its simple textural pattern and contrasting yarn colours,” Hotchin says. “The fractured floor patterns are an important design element within the library space and InterfaceFLOR modular carpet was chosen because of the colour, texture and pattern options, which fitted perfectly with the concept of the floor design.” Combining local colour and materials with advanced multifunctional spaces and features, the library and its adjoining leisure centre have certainly created a new benchmark for architecture in the area, and across the sector.
Caroline Springs Civic Centre and Library, Vic Interior Design: Alex Hotchin Photography: Emma Cross (Gollings Photography) Flooring: Solid Foundation (in Fire Engine and Lime Green), Chenille Time, Dot Com
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InterfaceFLOR Project : Lion Nathan
Lion’s den
Project Control Group have designed a social and creative office over five floors for beer and wine giant Lion Nathan in Sydney’s CBD, bringing human resources centre stage, as well as providing a host of dynamic spaces.
InterfaceFLOR Project : Lion Nathan
Taking full advantage of the 11 floors and central atrium of this York Street building in the centre of Sydney, Project Control Group (PCG) allowed for a collaborative approach throughout the entire working environment of alcoholic beverage brand Lion Nathan’s new offices. By introducing open planning, assigned workstations, hot desking, informal and formal meeting rooms and many other individualised spaces, the designers have taken the Lion Nathan motto, “Making our world a more sociable place”, very much to heart. The various workplace zones feature many of the latest technologies, installed to promote the usage and workability of the spaces. Movement sensors switch off lights in unoccupied offices and carefully integrated InterfaceFLOR carpets serve to demarcate the distinctive and integrated purposes of each of the areas.
PCG Project Architect, Regan VanderWert-Walsh says the flexibility of InterfaceFLOR’s modular carpet tiles made it possible to provide a variety of flooring ‘backdrops’ that could complement the ever-changing Lion Nathan fit-out. “Part of the advantage of the modular system means that meeting and open plan spaces can be transformed or defined by different carpet patterns, allowing a more open workplace with less permanent physical boundaries.” Privacy screens for more formal office meeting rooms double as graphic film displays depicting animated characters from three themes: the beach, the bar and the gym. These graphics also appear in other forms, all helping to create a culture of fun and vibrancy. “The varying patterns and styles of the modular carpets also help define the various spaces throughout the Lion Nathan workplace,” says VanderWert-Walsh.
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“The solid blocks of colour, and the organic snakeskin pattern of the Sidewinder black and white collection, all bring a sense of definition, variety, colour and fun to a workplace that is all about sociability.” Also used to create a highly social atmosphere is the staircase which links the five floors and operates as another crossroad or gathering space. Other details include the impressive ‘Antler’ pendant light that relates to both the humour and sophistication of Toohey’s visual identity, the ‘wine glasses light’ in the reception area and the Heineken bottle wall, a stunning enclosure to an anteroom off the lift lobby. As well as bringing branding into the interior design, these touches serve to promote the theatrical nature of this unique fit-out. >>
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InterfaceFLOR Project : Lion Nathan
InterfaceFLOR Project : Lion Nathan
“The varying patterns and styles of the modular carpets also help define the various spaces”
It is obvious that the long-running 15-year client–designer relationship between Lion Nathan and PCG has resulted in an unprecedented consolidation of design desire and client need, producing a stimulating and creative working environment for all. The PCG fit-out is synonymous with Lion Nathan’s ambition to provide the most people-friendly work environment possible, and an exemplar for collaborative design concepts.
Lion Nathan, Sydney Interior design: Project Control Group Photography: Richard Whitbread, Will Horner, Richard Drew Flooring: Black & White (in Sidewinder), Straightforward, Solid Foundation, Syncopation
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InterfaceFLOR Project : Virgin Blue
Since first taking off in Australia eight years ago, Virgin Blue has steadily grown its fleet, so it is not surprising that the company had outgrown its various Brisbane offices. Their vibrant new Brisbane headquarters was designed by Cottee Parker Interiors.
InterfaceFLOR Project : Virgin Blue
With a people-focussed agenda from the start, Virgin Blue have consistently sought to define their space in the market by a mix of enthusiasm, fun and team culture. So when they went in search of a company to design their new workspace, it made sense that they looked for the same values in the project team. Speaking on behalf of the success-ful team at Cottee Parker, Scott Bagnell says that it was definitely their experience and value mix that attracted Virgin to them. “There were a number of very different elements to the design,” he says. “Virgin has been a very scattered group, with all their teams split up across many buildings, so one of the main objectives was to bring all of their groups together in the one main Virgin site.” Bagnell says the main way this was achieved was by focussing internally on the central courtyard that existed between the three buildings. “Their site is a horizontal community with over
12,000 square metres on three levels. Our idea was to really develop the connections between them so that they were grouped more in terms of how they operated, rather than just as business units.” Intent on making the building easy to navigate, bright, distinctive colours were also used on each floor, branding each of them with their own colour scheme. The effect of this is very visually striking – particularly when viewed from the bottom of the building – and reinforces Virgin’s company values. Colour differentiation was mainly achieved through the flooring, with InterfaceFLOR providing a wide-ranging palette to work from. Bagnell says that being able to use bold colours that won’t soil and that will stand the test of time was particularly important on the ground floor high-traffic area. On each of the other floors, a central ‘runway’ has been demarcated with striped modular tiles, giving
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focus to the darker shades seen in the more formal office spaces. “InterfaceFLOR has a similar movement and texture in their carpets to the runway beneath you when you are on a plane. It almost mimics the movement as you are taking off.” The new Virgin headquarters has a striking look and easy navigation thanks to a bold palette of colours – mainly achieved through the use of InterfaceFLOR carpet tiles. And thanks to the size of the space and durability of InterfaceFLOR carpets tiles, it should serve as a lasting headquarters for the growing airline. Virgin Village, Virgin Blue Airlines Head Office Accommodation, Brisbane Interior design: Cottee Parker Interiors Photography: Tyrone Branigan Flooring: Superflor (in Pacific Sunset, Siberian Frost, Tangy, Grey)
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InterfaceFLOR Project : Grasshopper
When tasked with setting a new benchmark for Thai cuisine in Auckland, Architecture Fabian Douglas & Associates relished the opportunity to use InterfaceFLOR carpet tiles to add instant atmosphere to a large restaurant – the Grasshopper.
Grasshopper
fusion Located in the Stamford Plaza, Central Auckland, Grasshopper is the city’s newest contemporary Thai restaurant. Having already completed many projects in the hospitality industry, designers Kent Fabian and Margaret Douglas of Architecture Fabian Douglas & Associates were ready to take on the challenge to design a 200-seat space that would create an intimate dining experience, mixing old with new. “It is a Thai fusion restaurant – a combination of traditional Thai, fused with modern elements,” Douglas says. “The owners had seen some examples of it in Australia and they quite liked the concept, so they decided to try it out over here.” The restaurant certainly presents something new for Auckland, where, despite becoming a more mainstream cuisine, Thai cooking has still been presented in a very traditional way.
Designed to give an authentic dining experience, where food is shared amongst friends and family, communal dining was achieved via a table that reaches through the entire space and provides the perfect setting for socialising or conducting business. “We have put in some long banquet tables and that was definitely something quite new for Auckland, ” Douglas says. Other conference-style rooms are available, with an open kitchen providing diners with a tantalising reminder of what they are about to eat. “It was another one of the details in the design brief, so that you can see the chefs preparing the food.” One function room, a circularshaped room with a lotus shaped light fitting, aptly named the Lotus Room, caters for up to 14 people at a time. “There is a beaded curtain as you enter the room,” Douglas says, “and it is here that the InterfaceFLOR carpet tiles are definitely a design feature, being used to help define each of the spaces.”
Partner Kent Fabian comments that it was the rich design of the carpet tiles and the vibrancy of the colours that helped to create a fun but intimate atmosphere. “They were fun and added a funky element with their bright colours,” Fabian says. “In the other Elephant [function] Room, we have used a more junglelike pattern, but we also really liked the carpet tiles because of their 1m by 1m size and the fact that they are so hard-wearing and durable,” he says. “If one gets ruined, it can easily be replaced.” So, whether it’s Lotus fun or Elephant safari, Grasshopper’s bold fusion of colour and style has set a new standard for Auckland restaurants and Thai cuisine.
InterfaceFLOR Project : Grasshopper
“It is a Thai fusion restaurant – a combination of traditional Thai, fused with modern elements”
Grasshopper Restaurant, Stamford Plaza, Auckland Interior Design: Architecture Fabian Douglas & Associates Photography: Fiona Tomlinson Flooring: AX Tile (in MO406 Amethyst, M0352 Salsa, MO405 Salsa)
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InterfaceFLOR Project : Broad Construction
Building with Simplicity Designing the office space of a wellknown construction company is no small task, but an honest value system and an uncomplicated outlook helped Hassell to pave the way with the new Broad Construction offices in Perth.
InterfaceFLOR Project : Broad Construction
Having had experience with Broad Construction as builders, it was nevertheless a completely new challenge for interior design firm Hassell when briefed to provide them with their new Perth offices. Leaning heavily on the core values of their business – safety and wellbeing, professionalism, respect, perseverance and environment – Broad Construction gave Hassell a simple brief. “It was actually very short, mostly just specifications for rooms and space,” says Hassell Senior Interior Designer, Martin Dutry. “It was a very functional brief, but in dialogue with them, they said they wanted to be seen as progressive, that this new office was a fresh start for them.” Combining the strong corporate identity of the company, and their aspiration to have an honest and professional image, Durty
says that the design was very much about creating an integrated feel throughout. “They didn’t want to be seen as funky, rather very pragmatic and professional. They are a building company, and they want be taken seriously,” he says. Creating two wings joined by a large central core, Durty says they had to work hard to create a strong element to connect the two sides together. This was achieved by use of an internal staff break-out area, and an external space to entertain and meet with clients. Using strong colours in this central zone created an obvious contrast to the surrounding pared back, open-plan office layout, and Hassell chose to do this through the floor. “We needed something to link it together and reinforce the look,” says Durty. “And with the colour range
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and the sustainability principles that govern InterfaceFLOR’s modular carpet tiles, we felt very comfortable using them.” “Their colour range is so strong and bright and fun to work with,” he adds. From the combined strength of the flooring design and the exposed joinery of the plywood furniture, it is clear that both parties are equally committed to quality. “We wanted to express the fact that they are builders and very honest – expressing the details and materials in a way that is legible was a small reference to Broad Construction’s company vision,” Durty concludes. Broad Construction, Perth Interior Design: Hassell Perth Photography: Adrian Lambert (Acorn Photo Agency) Flooring: Solid Foundation
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InterfaceFLOR Project : Babies Galore
Baby Chic When established baby retail chain Babies Galore wanted to modernise their brand, they called on design and brand experts Landini Associates to help re-invigorate their image.
InterfaceFLOR Project : Babies Galore
“Once you have the different tiles, you have the possibility of creating many different designs”
Already recognised as a leading supplier of baby goods, Babies Galore was keen to bring a contemporary, fresh feel to their company, starting with its new Camperdown store in Sydney’s Inner West. Initial discussions with designers revealed that the brand’s tagline – ‘More than just your ordinary baby store’ – was key to the transformations ahead. Drawing on their long-standing relationship with Landini Associates, Babies Galore were confident they could transform their stores, giving them a more boutique feel, without losing their warm and friendly approach. By choosing to keep the design simple, interior designer Anna Carin says they were able to highlight the many products on display, and focus more on the functionality of the space. “Babies Galore is like no other store in their field,” Carin says. “They focus a lot on information and service. It is such a new experience having a baby, so Babies Galore really see their role as informing new parents in the best way possible.” Taking a very untraditional approach to colour, bold, strong graphic panels and images of animals were used throughout the space to break it up and add a little bit of fun.
This approach was successfully complemented by the use of InterfaceFLOR’s modular carpet tiles, which, Carin says, stood out against all others for their interchangeability, durability and colour choice. “Once you have the different tiles, you have the possibility of creating many different designs, of playing around with it in a costeffective way,” says Carin. “We didn’t want the modules to be of so much significance, rather we wanted them to be a great backdrop, which worked really well.” Already showcased in their Camperdown store, the new design concept will be rolled out across Babies Galore’s 19 other store locations.
Babies Galore, Sydney Interior design: Landini Associates Photography: Tyrone Branigan Flooring : Superflor (in Buffalo, Irish Coffee, Primrose)
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“This company’s very survival is largely attributable to its sustainability initiative, looking to nature’s renewable, cyclical, waste-free, resource-efficient processes for its inspiration.” Ray Anderson Australia 1800 008 101 | New zealand 0800 800 656 | www.interfaceflor.com.au