09

design­space
www.interfaceflor.com.au

Modular
ideology
InterfaceFLOR’s
new Sydney
headquarters

Issue 09/stories:
Mission sustainable – ‘Balance’ in all things –
Aquafil manufactures green the new range
Modular becomes mosaic Lion’s den – dynamic
with artist Marion Shapiro spaces at Lion Nathan
Defining spaces at InterfaceFLOR green
Caroline Springs scholarship winners
Designed to inspire – Contents
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 01 News
a theme for their design, others may be inspired by location,
by materials, by a colour palette – or by history, art, music,
All the latest news for
dance – the options are endless. design, sustainability
and InterfaceFLOR.
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.
04 Products
The qualities of equilibrium
InterfaceFLOR’s commitment to the environment, embodied inspired the creation of ‘Balance’,
in the Mission Zero statement, “to eliminate any negative impact
our company may have on the environment by the year 2020”, InterfaceFLOR’s latest collection.
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. 08 Practice
Step inside InterfaceFLOR’s
We also take a tour through a selection of new and cutting-edge
interiors in this issue – each demonstrating the design flexibility
new Sydney headquarters –
that InterfaceFLOR modular carpet tiles offers to the interior a heritage building
designer. Though each project presents a different space and transformed into a stylish
situation, modular has the ability to suit every one, inspiring
interiors that make the most of flooring as a tool for creativity. multi-functional facility.
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
12 Principles
issue of designspace and let the creativity flow! Learn how InterfaceFLOR
influenced Italian yarn supplier
Aquafil to adopt sustainable
manufacturing processes.

14 Projects
We ask interior designers
InterfaceFLOR and the publisher hereby disclaims, to the full extent permitted by law, all liability, why they used InterfaceFLOR
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 in the Grasshopper
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
Restaurant in New Zealand,
are not necessarily endorsed by InterfaceFLOR or the publisher. The terms ‘InterfaceFLOR’ and
‘Mission Zero’ are registered trade marks.
Lion Nathan offices
Published by the Indesign Group
in Sydney’s CBD, Virgin Blue
(61 2) 9368 0150, info@indesign.com.au headquarters, Brisbane,
© InterfaceFLOR
Caroline Springs Library
Publisher: Raj Nandan, Indesign
Design: Sylvia Weimer, Spacelab Design in association with Indesign Publishing in Victoria, Babies
Editors: Penny Craswell, Indesign, Anna Marsh, Indesign, Collette Swindells, Indesign
Production: Adele Troeger, Indesign Galore stores and Broad
Production Designers: Bronwyn Aalders, Indesign, Eunice Ku, Indesign, Sarah Djemal, Indesign
InterfaceFLOR: Sally Orme Construction in WA.
Printed with soy based ink on 100% recycled paper. No virgin fibre used.
Manufactured with 75% post consumer and 25% pre-consumer waste.
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
InterfaceFLOR : News 01
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
02 InterfaceFLOR : News

Modular mosaic
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.

Studio style InterfaceFLOR

www.interfaceflor.com.au
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
Sourcing a solution
www.lazerianstudio.uk
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
 03

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 Green Design
levels of bricks to only 8 per cent.
The poultice is trowelled onto Scholarship awarded
surfaces in a 10 millimetre-thick
layer and works by slowly releasing InterfaceFLOR’s Green Designer Scholarship attracted a
water into the masonry, taking the multitude of eager entrants following its launch in 2008.
place of the built-up salts which Shortlisted scholarship candidates were asked to
are drawn out when it dries. discuss their personal design philosophy for creating
But Cooper says the real secret sustainable and green interior spaces.
to its mix comes from the company’s Of these candidates, three winners were awarded
underlying philosophy, centred around scholarships after clearly expressing how they would integrate
a belief that heritage buildings and sustainable and environmental design principles into future
structures should be restored in an interior projects.
authentic way to ensure preservation University of New South Wales students, Saul Garcia
for future generations. and Lucinda Dryden, and University of South Australia
His company Westox manufactures student Joshua Billington, will spend a day learning
over 70 other innovative heritage valuable product knowledge at InterfaceFLOR.
restoration products and is Australia’s The skills they learn will combine with their
leading supplier, working closely with GBCA Green Star-accredited Professional course and
heritage consultants and architects Advanced Office Interiors course, helping to pave their
to preserve buildings in Australia and way into successful interior design careers.
around the world.
InterfaceFLOR
www.interfaceflor.com.au
Westox
Image: Joshua Billington
www.westox.com
04 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 05

“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.
06 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 07

“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.
08 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.

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 pre-
existing 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.
InterfaceFLOR : Practice 09
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.” >>
10 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
InterfaceFLOR : Practice 11
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.
12 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 solution-
dyed yarns,” Scapini adds.

“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 gene-
rated 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.
InterfaceFLOR : Principles 13
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 post-
consumer 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.
14 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

“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”
InterfaceFLOR Project : Caroline Springs 15
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 InterfaceFLOR carpets used
and exterior concrete panels. to cleverly section off different
Even the library’s concertinaed areas. Interior Designer, Alex
glass windows, a composite of clear Hotchin says the floor pattern for
and reflective glass, suggest two the library space was also based
forces at work. on the local basalt formation
The central spine of the library, pattern, radiating from the entry
which cuts through the building and customer service area with
from east to west, also has a bold fractured lines running
number of different functions, with across the floor. >>
16 InterfaceFLOR Project : Caroline Springs
 InterfaceFLOR Project : Caroline Springs 17

“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 multi-
functional 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
18 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.

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.
InterfaceFLOR Project : Lion Nathan 19
“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. >>
20 InterfaceFLOR Project : Lion Nathan
 InterfaceFLOR Project : Lion Nathan 21

“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
22 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.

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
InterfaceFLOR Project : Virgin Blue 23
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)
24 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.

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.
Grasshopper
fusion
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 circular-
shaped 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 jungle-
like 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 25

“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)
26 InterfaceFLOR Project : Broad Construction

Building with
Simplicity

Designing the office space of a well-

known 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.

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
InterfaceFLOR Project : Broad Construction
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
27
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
28 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.

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.
InterfaceFLOR Project : Babies Galore 29
“Once you have the different
tiles, you have the
possibility of creating
many different designs”
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 cost-
effective 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)
“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