Yellowtrace Spotlight // April 2013.

Once again it’s Yellowtrace Spotlight time! In our April edition I’d like to share a whole bunch of design news including two new projects in Melbourne by Zwei Interior Architecture and Davidov Partners; exciting Dulux collaboration with L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival; new design exhibition by Broached Commissions amongst other things.

Recent Projects.

G-Lux Showroom, Melbourne by Davidov Partners.

Davidov Partners, in collaboration with Studio Equator, recently completed a new showroom and gallery space for G-Lux in Melbourne’s Richmond. The design involved transforming an 1970s brick warehouse to a multifunctional venue that showcases the ever-changing range of stone, porcelain and timber imported from all over the world.

Timber crates used to ship the stone slabs, and the beautiful product itself used as furniture and art inspired the concept. The use of timber as a main design element to counter the perceived hardness of the stone and tiles was key to the design. The pine crates are lime washed in order to not compete with product while maintaining the beauty of the natural material.

The large warehouse allowed the designers to allocate multiple spaces for work-areas, and permanent and temporary art installations. The oversized central table poses as the ‘kitchen table’ for visiting designers and clients. In addition to the product range on display, the porcelain butterfly installation and custom bench furniture cut from solid onyx and stone are an impressive testament to the versatility of G-Lux’s offer and their passion for innovation.

The project also involved Davidov Partners first dedicated office space which occupies the front room.

Davidov Partners

Recent Projects.

Code Black Coffee, Melbourne by Zwei.

Set in an inner-city double fronted warehouse shell, Code Black is the new roastery and headquarters of the Melbourne based Cafenatics operations. With the roasting process on full display and a strong use of raw black steel, stained OSB board and concrete, the space communicates a language of rawness and simplicity as a stripped back, masculine, almost reverential ode to the coffee bean.

Seeking to accommodate both a new roasting operation and the HQ for the current administration of the existing business, alongside a public coffee outlet, Code Black Coffee comprises two mirror image warehouse shells.

Using dark, warm tones to mute the volume, lighting and form create drama within the building’s shell. Yellow highlights punctuate the ceiling of the kitchen and office areas and fabric seating is a Josef Frank coffee bean illustration imported from Sweden. Materials throughout reflect the Code Black branding as the hue of the black colour base, and a strong use of raw black steel uses a language of masculinity, rawness and simplicity.

Interior Design by Zwei Interior Architecture / Photography by Michael Kai / Lighting Design by Volker Haug / Logo & Branding by Salmon Design.

Code Black Coffee // 15-17 Weston St Brunswick, VIC, Australia.

Zwei Interior Architecture

Design Exhibition.

Broached Commissions launches Broached East.

Broached East, the latest collection from Broached Commissions, has recently launched in Melbourne, and is set to tour to Sydney and Canberra. Following on from the success of the inaugural Commission, Broached East responds to Australia’s relationship to Asia in the mid to late nineteenth century.

Broached Commissions initiates bespoke made and limited edition design collections, each collection based on a different event in Australian history.

Founding Designers // Trent Jansen (AUS), Charles Wilson (AUS), Adam Goodrum (AUS)
Guest Designers // Azuma Makoto (JAPAN), Keiji Ashizawa (JAPAN), Naihn Li (CHINA)

Melbourne // 7 March – 20 April 2013, Broached Gallery Lv.7 / 388 Bourke Street, Melbourne.
Sydney // 8 May – 15 June, The Former Paramount Pictures Building 80 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills.

Broached East | Broached Commissions
Broached Blog

Design Collaboration.

Dulux Designer Collaborations for the 2013 L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival.

Australia’s leading paint specialist – Dulux recently collaborated with icons of Australian Fashion in celebration of their L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival sponsorship. This collaboration showcases the influence trend forecasting has on both fashion and interior design. 

Following a successful partnership with Kirrily Johnston for more than three seasons, Dulux collaborated with the designer once again this year, along with renowned print designer Camilla Franks.

Above images are of the two rooms inspired by Johnston’s AW13 collection as styled by Bree Leech. Dramatic photography by Mike Baker.

Dulux
L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival

New Product Initiatives.

Dream Car by huzi.

Dream car is a series of collectible toys made from natural wood, patented magnetic system and finished with chalkboard paint. Handcrafted from natural walnut, beech and poplar wood, these iconic car bodies are individually handcrafted with utmost care. 

Designed by Mike Mak from Hong Kong, Dream Car is huzi’s first design that is ready to go into production. Huzi are hoping to fund the production of the toy car via a Kickstarter. If you’re so inclined, you can support this project via the link below.

Dream Car by huzi on Kickstarter