2013 has been a busy few months so far for Axolotl, with the launch of Axolotl Timber and brand new Website, we have still managed to complete a range of exciting projects that we have added to our eclectic portfolio. 

Tiffanys have recently completed the Bondi Junction Westfield - our third Tiffany project where Axolotl have played an integral part. Working with the Tiffany design team, we produced a range of glass blades incorporating the Tiffany wheat leaf design that was executed in silver leaf and then laminated between two sheets of starphire glass. The blades majestically surround the centrepiece diamond cabinet.

The Lindt café in Sydney's CBD, designed by Rolf Ockert was another project featuring Axolotl Glass. This time using Miro curved glass, laminated with a chocolate and gold mirrored banding as seen in the image below.

The head office of Melbourne's John Holland  underwent a new fitout, with design by ‪Fu‪turespace. It boasts another great use of Axolotl concrete on the Fluted blade walls, surrounding the elevators. The space emphasises a great use of texture, soft furnishings and colour.

Bronze Verdegris Garden Features

We were very impressed with the final result of these huge planters and water features, coated in Bronze then aged with a Florentine and Verdegris Patina. Our coatings have really transform the aesthetic of the raw GFC, to create a unique and authentic finish that seamlessly blends into the environment. 

Warburton Art Project

Since 1993 Kiln formed glass has been an important medium of expression for Ngaanyatjarra People involved in the‪ Warburton Artist Program in the Warburton Ranges, Western Australia.

Recognising the importance of this venture, which encourages creativity in the region, we are pleased to announce that artist Warren Langley has donated one of the large glass forming kilns used by Axolotl. The Ngaanyatjarra community share a similar passion for expression in glass, and we are pleased to be a part of encouraging further development of their glass making.

An Anomaly + Axolotl House

In line with our commitment to not just meet needs - but to create them, we will soon be launching our next venture in design - a new undertaking under a different banner, bringing a blend of contemporary and traditional materials which will really shake up the market. In parallel, we are also working on a new Axolotl retreat in the Hunter Valley which will be available as a private guesthouse. More information in upcoming e-cards.

After a short break we are back to work refreshed and ready to tackle all of your exciting new projects. By the end of 2012 we were able to look back on a broad range of creative projects, from multi-story corporate fit outs to hand crafted sculptures. One of the later projects was this custom feature wall for the Ministry of Sound Headquarters in Sydney’s Darlinghurst. Andrew Cliffe from The World is Round adopted our popular Doric entry door, to be used as a concrete feature wall at the reception. The surface creates a beautiful shadow play as the varied light in the room plays with the corrugated surface.

A different, but also unique project, was the featured custom glass privacy screen for a clients guest ensuite. The Axolotl design team worked very closely with the client to achieve something new for the company and offer the client their perfect fade position from translucent to clear. The finished result enables the client to enjoy an outside view while showering, yet retaining privacy.

The latest innovation from Axolotl, Flyash, creatively up-cycles waste product produced by industrial furnaces to add an environmentally advantageous and premium looking surface to our concrete collection. The diversity of Axolotl concrete is shown in the images here: from large scale feature walls and façades to bespoke concrete benchtops and furniture. The aesthetic of concrete can be achieved with Axolotl's award winning concrete surface without the weight and logistical struggles many clients endure with solid concrete.

Introducing Doric.

We would also like to announce the winner or Concrete Signature Door naming competition. Congratulations to Sarah Walls for her name 'Doric'. Sarah has won a fantastic iPhone case coated in Axolotl Bronze and Graphite 'Viper' snakeskin. A special thanks to everyone who entered.

Introducing the latest addition to Axolotl’s signature door range, this architecturally detailed door in Axolotl Concrete is a world first. Clad in a fluted profiled substrate and coated in our award winning 'shale' concrete, the door appears as though cast from solid concrete, however due to Axolotl’s patented (pending) technology carries none of the associated risks or restrictions of solid concrete which can include weight, need for structural reinforcement, and brittleness causing chipping.

A similar profile on a larger scale looks great in metal also, as illustrated in the recent fit-out at the Ray White head office. Coated in Bronze Florentine, the ridges area of the three dimensional panels are polished to reveal the bronze through the areas of aged florentine.

Axolotl are extremely fortunate to work with some of Australia’s most talented designers and architects. It goes without saying then that we are delighted when their efforts are recognised by both their peers and industry bodies. So far this year several teams have received various awards and nominations commending their efforts across various projects involving Axolotl, with just a few featured here. Philip Chia aimed to redefine the traditional food court dining experience at The Galeries Victoria by creating a highly unique and intriguing environment by delving into experimentation with juxtaposing materials. Axolotl provided several unique surfaces such as concrete coated panels with custom carved design, for the bulkhead and ceiling trim. Bronze Viper panels for the kiosk stations, and Treasury Bronze Pearl feature walls.

Commendation Retail Design - The Uncarved Block For The Galeries Victoria The design concept for the lower ground food court at Sydney's TGV aimed to set this unique environment apart from its counterparts in the CBD and stray from the “a-typical” food court approach. Inspired by the existing mix of avant-garde fashion retailers, the current clientele and location, the food court design draws a link between these key influences and the art of consumption conveyed through unique bespoke design elements, materials palette, texture, lighting and furniture.

Melbourne Central was recognised for it’s creative eclecticism and environmental stance, which also offers a unique retail experience. Given the large size of the space, it was important to create a variety of smaller dining areas for different groups of people. Axolotl was called on to produce a divider wall using screens coated in Treasury Bronze Pearl.

Planning wise, the layout defies the number one rule of food courts where sight lines to all tenancies from anywhere are a pre-requisite. At Melbourne Central, deliberately massed visual obstructions breaks up dining zones and changes the overall visual typography. It relies on people’s innate sense of interest and intrigue to explore this environment.

The conversion of the seating pagoda in Dixon Street to an information kiosk to service Chinatown called for a sympathetic and contextual design. The curved glass feature wall, created by Axolotl, is coated in Graphite which has been applied in a bespoke pattern designed by paper-cut artist Pamela Mei-Leng See.

In honour of the late, great Harry Seidler, this park was created for the residents of North Sydney. A large glass blade, supplied by Axolotl, installed at the centre of the space, details the dedication of the park to Harry and his lifetime contribution to architecture.

Designed in conjunction with Phillip Chia from The Uncarved Block, the Axolotl ‘Pod’ is a bespoke construction based on the blueprint of a shipping container, which we tweaked to our exacting requirements. With sustainability in mind, the reusable structure will be recycled for future exhibitions, reconfigured and transformed into an all new stand unrecognisable from the last. This year we featured several amazing world-first products including Timber LINK, Concrete Lace, Chroma and LINK glass along with many other beautiful finishes.

The “Reptilian Chaise” was designed specifically for Axolotl Concrete Bunker, to demonstrate the versatility of our new concrete coating system. The bespoke fabric, imported from Timorous Beasties, played a pivotal role in the design of the chaise - the pattern of the fabric flowing seamlessly into the concrete, creates a juxtaposition of soft and hard surfaces, whilst illustrating the unique properties of the concrete process.

The annual awards, widely regarded as the most prestigious hospitality design prizes in the business, attracted 620 entries from 60 countries. The awards will be judged by the who's-who of the international design and hospitality industries, including Alberto Alessi from Alessi, Joe Ferry from Intercontinental Hotels Group, and editors from Casa Vogue Brazil, Elle Décor India, Frame China and the UK's Sunday Times Style. The winners will be announced at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London on September 6.

Axolotl would like to extend our congratulations to the winners and look forward to partnering on more award winning projects in the future.

DesignEx 2012 was another inspiring and successful event with more than 2000 people visiting our stand over three days. It was really exciting to see it all come together and we loved hearing such a positive response from everyone who visited the stand. This year we featured several amazing world-first products including Axolotl Timber, Concrete Lace, Chroma and LINK glass along with many other beautiful finishes. The stand was colourful, innovative and unique, created using the many materials that make up Axolotl. The pictures really do say it all.

A special thank you to Philip Chia and The Uncarved Block team, for once again partnering with us to create the stand, and to all of our suppliers, who have made this years success possible. Thank you to all those who managed to attend, we hope to work with you soon.

Axolotl Showcase: Concrete Blonde

Designed by Michael McCann of the multi-award-winning Dreamtime Australia, Concrete Blonde is the latest hot spot for contemporary Australian dining.

Axolotl was commissioned to create a multitude of custom features in Axolotl Metal and Axolotl Glass as well as premiering one of our first commissions for Axolotl Concrete. Included in the fit out were concrete tiles, concrete flooring and concrete graffiti text inlaid into glass - a world first! In addition to the concrete, the space features an Axolotl metal lace fire surround and Miro glass bathroom panels. Check out the grand concrete entrance with the name of the restaurant stamped into the surface. An impressive entrance to launch two great new 'hot' names on the Sydney scene: Concrete Blonde and Axolotl Concrete.

In a category loaded with some of the real superstars of international design such as Herman Miller, Dyson and Phillips, we are very pleased to announce Axolotl Concrete has won a coveted Australian International Design Award for Architectural and Interior Product. Axolotl Concrete also received an official selection award from the Powerhouse Museum with a permanent exhibit displayed for the next 12 months.

The Australian International Design Awards uniquely allows Australian design to be benchmarked against the best in the world. It is one of the oldest and most respected design councils and recognition is a highly coveted symbol of good design on an international scale. The award is a fantastic accolade for Axolotl and a satisfying reward for the effort we have continually put into new product development over the past 15 years.

Since releasing the range last month we have had an overwhelmingly positive response, as architects and designers across the country now have access to a completely new and different spectrum of design opportunity.

Be sure to check out Axolotl Concrete in the Powerhouse Museum 'Success and Innovation' gallery as part of the awards, which will be showcased from Saturday, 30 July.