The Staron Design Awards 2016 has come to a close and the winners have been selected in three segments – Commercial, Residential and Concept. Open to any designer, architect, developer, kitchen/bathroom designer, or student, the Staron Design Awards seek to recognise outstanding applications of Staron® Solid Surfaces in projects.
Commercial Winner
Maria + Al Tsudon, THETSU
Quench juice bar in Brisbane, Queensland
Quench owners Mitch Love + Darren Frame, are particularly passionate about their product and wanted their attention to detail and high quality focus to be reflected in the new design. As the conceptual direction started to evolve, the ‘Lime Slice’ became a symbolic representation of all the business values which are focussed around offering a slightly more daring, fresh, organic and vibrant experience for the consumer. The ‘lime pith’ pattern was translated visually by overlaying 6mm Staron® in ‘Bright White’ onto a striking green glass facade that encloses a predominantly black, timber and steel tenancy. With a strong focus on sustainability, THETSU sought to ensure optimal material use and minimal waste, deciding to divide the entire pattern into a Staron® skeletal structure, tiled and cut, then mounted directly onto to the front face of the glass. The back of the glass showcases an identical pattern cut from white vinyl and mounted on the tenancy interior.
Connective spines of Staron® are featured through the food/product pass to maintain the pattern integrity around the entire space. Maria + Al had previously worked with Staron® with brilliant success and knew that the quality, flexibility and smooth finish was exactly what was needed to bring the design vision to life. Staron® was used to create the skeletal structure of the lime theme perfectly, while also being resilient to wear and easy to clean. Additionally, the simple maintenance of Staron® was a key deciding factor in THETSU’s material choice as juice bar tenancies emit a significant amount of acidity into the air, so a product with high resilience and easy maintenance was imperative. Since re-opening, the refreshed Quench juice bar has captivated crowds and re-established the tenancy’s place as a local favourite in the urban feasting scene. The project’s success was also made possible by Lamberts Design and Construction who took care of fitout and Select Shopfitters Australia who CNC milled the Staron® Design.
Residential Winner
Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects
Residential kitchen in Perth, Western Australia
When this design project was in its early stages, the designer created a concept that explores the suspended weight of a large object within a field of dynamic surfaces. With this concept in mind, they created a long island bench featuring Staron® Solid Surfaces colour Pearl. The surface continues in one monolithic piece over the entire length of the island, and also cascades down the sides, and on one end also extends to the front to create an integrated book storage space.
The beautiful warmth of the timber flooring continues up the front of the island unit to reach and contrast against the crispness of the Staron®. It becomes a focal part of this beautiful home and creates an ‘inhabitable’ island, allowing the family to gather, to sit at or on and to place objects and books within the storage space.
Staron® has also been extended to the study space adjacent to the living area, a particular pocket that allows connection and disconnection to others. Such spaces allow the family to remain together in one space but to find their own particular place of preference. Staron® is also featured on the stair capping that creates a special fluid surface that reflects the surrounding space. The smooth joining capabilities, means that the material could be used in different parts of the home with no open joins. By using Staron® in different areas it creates a consistent look throughout each space using a material that is beautiful to look at and easy to live with.
Concept Winner
Anna Lines, student
Billy Blue College of Design
Anna designed a concept of an organically shaped bathtub made entirely of Staron® Solid Surfaces in colour Pearl. The elegant bath gently curves into different angles to create s shell-like shape.
Anna designed the bath as both a functional and artistic piece. The water spout has also been thoughtfully incorporated inside curved Staron®. “I chose Staron® as the material due to its extraordinary capabilities to be manipulated into complex shapes and artistic forms”, says Anna.
Congratulations to all the winners and a special thanks to the Staron® Design Award judges for their continued support Stephen Varady [Stephen Varady Associates], Sophie Watson [Indesign Magazine] and Amanda Stanaway [Woods Bagot].
For more about the Staron Design Awards visit staron.com.au
Commercial winner photography: We Are The Tsudons
Residential winner photography: Peter Bennetts
