The video showcases the stunning end result of the collaboration, highlighting the unique and personalised touches that make this home truly one-of-a-kind. Viewers can see the intricate details and craftsmanship that went into each piece, from the delicate etchings on the glass panels to the subtle play of light and shadow in the lit interiors.
IN CONVERSATION WITH JADE OAKLEY
We are thrilled to share this video of the collaborative journey between featured artist Jade Oakley and Axolotl where Jade tells of her experience working alongside Axolotl. Throughout our decade-long partnership, Jade has created multiple public artworks incorporating a broad selection of Axolotl’s materials and processes.
In this short video, Jade details the capabilities of Axolotl Art Projects, including not only fabrication services but also extensive design assistance, engineering expertise, project management and detailed documentation to ensure the flawless execution of every project.
Jade lists the benefits of working with Axolotl’s team of experts, combining our creative vision and technical knowledge to bring Jade's breathtaking works of art to reality. She also discusses our successful collaborations, including large-scale public art installations and intricate architectural details.
We hope you enjoy watching this video.
REFLECTIONS
Axolotl is pleased to announce the completion of the latest Level Cross Removal project in Victoria, an integrated art commission by artist Catherine Woo.
The artwork was commissioned for the City of Casey by the South Eastern Program Alliance, composed of project partners Laing O’Rourke, Jacobs, and architects BKK, and delivered together with T Projects.
The artwork utilises the highly visible soffit on both station platforms, to reflect a layer of the area’s ecological history, and create a visually dynamic addition to the building, that will in turn reflect the current life around it. Responding to the theme of geology, the intention is to echo the wetland that characterised the area before European settlement: a layer of its ecological past reflected onto the ceiling of the new building.
The design is based on the rippling patterns that occur on still water and that would have been a constant feature of the marshland: patterns created by water droplets, or the undulations created around moving reeds or trees that once flourished in the wetland.
In this way, the columns of the soffit become central to the arrangement of the design – the concentric circles emanating from where they meet the ceiling – merging the columns’ architectural reference to local vegetation with the intent of the artwork.
Reflection is key to the concept: the planar nature of the canopy accentuating the geological strata underneath, and the rippling design reflects the waterscape that was once integral to the area. The sheen of the anodised aluminium recalls the surface of the former wetland, reflected on the soffit. The concept is also designed to reflect the present day, with the material responding to the movement and changing viewpoint of the pedestrians and commuters that use this civic space, creating a sense of welcome and interest for those that pass through, as visitors or commuters.
The success of Reflections is seen in the artwork's seemingly effortless ability to navigate around the complex layout of the architectural soffit with all the necessary station services integrated within.
The final design and layout of the artwork was aided by 3D surveys of the platforms and involved a comprehensive design development phase working with the artist and client to achieve the desired concept.
A complex artwork to execute, Reflections is created from 486 unique panels all designed, engineered, and fabricated with the highest quality materials and technologies in order to achieve a long standing artwork for the local patrons to enjoy.
YEAR IN REVIEW 2022
With the end of the year fast approaching, we’d like to take a moment to reflect.
We wish to extend a thank you to everyone at Axolotl and to all the designers, architects, artists, builders, and renovators who we’ve been privileged to work alongside.
2022 has seen the completion of some memorable projects from architecture to art.
A standout would have to be this one of a kind Axolotl Terracotta garage door on a stunning new build in Bronte. ‘AES’ is another striking result from the creative minds at Bijl working with artist Marcus Piper. The multi-panel bronze artwork is integrated around the main stairwell of the residence and features a graphic made from a combination of custom machining and 3D printing.
We’re also excited to have worked on three unique projects by Foster and Partners. Two were for the prestigious new Circular Quay Towers, where we have completed all the lift interiors in custom Lustre Spectrum glass, as well as multiple shopfronts in custom-designed Halo glass, Timber Link, sheet metal and Axolotl applied semi-precious metals and concrete. Once complete it will be a stunning showcase of Axolotl ingenuity in the centre of Sydney!
The third Foster project takes Axolotl to the Big Apple and the prestigious new Hudson Yards where we created 200m2 of custom 3D printed Champagne Bronze feature wall cladding for the lobby, cafe bar and washrooms.
It has been another exciting and productive year for AAP. Two glass art projects bookend the year, with the suspended ‘Petal Sworl’ artwork by Adam Goodrum, with creative direction by Broached Commissions, installed at the Continental Hotel Sorrento at the start of 2022, and the ‘To see or not to see’ work by Karla Dickens, installed at the entry of the Art Gallery of New South Wales last month.
In between, our team have delivered a range of other art projects, including a mammoth 1200m2 artwork, ‘Reflections’ by Catherine Woo, to the soffit of Merinda Park Station, and the multi-wall ‘Centella’ artwork by Broached Commissions for The Continental Hotel, Sorrento which features over 560 handcrafted copper leaves.
Axolotl also expanded internationally, opening two new 10,000 sqm factories - one in Thailand and the other in North America, both with state-of-the-art equipment and machinery. This gives Axolotl the capacity to service the world as well as creating opportunities for our Australian clients to specify Axolotl surfaces on larger-scale projects.
We hope you enjoy this video showcasing the new possibilities of working with Axolotl surfaces.
As we farewell 2022, we wish you all the best for a healthy, happy and successful 2023.
Axolotl will be closed for our annual shutdown from midday Friday, December 23 and reopen Monday, January 9, 2023.
Kick off your shoes, grab a drink, and groove to our songs with our summer playlist.
WHERE ART MEETS ARCHITECTURE
Coined after the bronze currency of the ancient Romans, the AES artwork is a modern treasure.
The custom Marcus Piper artwork was commissioned by Bijl Architecture for a private residence in Sydney’s Neutral Bay.
A self-described digital craftsperson – Piper creates finely detailed digital masterpieces which are physically built with unique and often modern fabrication processes. The site-specific AES artwork is a prime example, created with several modern and exacting technologies.
Axolotl has had the pleasure of collaborating with Piper on a series of art projects over the years. Each concept provides the opportunity for a new material combination or fabrication technique to be explored. In true form, AES was crafted with an innovative combination of techniques including a hand-polished and patinated Axolotl Bronze surface, precision machining and ultra-fine 3D printing.
The large-scale artwork is formed from multiple carved and embossed bronze panels. The geometry of the work was informed by the unique position along the stairwell and the brief to integrate the architectural handrail within.
Accentuating moments and highlights have been specifically placed throughout the work to play with the natural and artificial light, casting and creating shadows that present a different experience with each interaction. The concept and palette of the work mean that you will never see the artwork the same way twice, with factors such as the time of day, speed, and position of viewing all resulting in a unique viewing experience. Light and reflection combine to create an optical phenomenon with details that highlight and shift as you walk by.
AES is a true collaboration between the architect, artist, Axolotl, Stuart Wilson Constructions and Pittwater Joinery who all enthusiastically supported Piper’s vision, helping to develop, create and deliver the artwork.
TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE
Wiradjuri artist Karla Dickens’ mixed-media artwork depicting hooded figures is a powerful exploration of the continuing legacies of colonialism and patriarchy. The materially rich work – with sea-green glass referencing Sydney Harbour and a patina that reflects the bronze panels on the iconic sandstone facade of the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ existing building – has been installed above the entranceway of the building. Located in the niche above the front door, Dickens’ work fills the space left empty by the contentious cancellation of a 1913 commission by the Australian sculptor Dora Ohlfsen.
Axolotl worked with Dickens and the AGNSW Curatorial team to develop and fabricate To see or not to see.
The location provided the challenge of installing a semi-permanent artwork onto the heritage façade with no additional holes or fixings into the sandstone. This challenge was overcome with an engineered compression frame system that was designed, built, and tested to suit the artwork.
The artwork is composed of three glass panels made with a combination of Axolotl’s proprietary glass and metal techniques.
Each panel was first kiln formed in Jade lustre glass. The kiln slumped technique enabled the silhouette of the hooded figures to sit pronounced and was selected in homage to the Bas-relief style of Ohlfsen’s original commission.
The lustre glass has a uniquely reflective quality that activates the artwork with haunting, glowing figures visible even from the footpath across the road from the gallery. No additional lighting or backlighting has been incorporated into the work.
The glass panels were then each treated with Axolotl’s semi-precious metal Link process to inlay Copper and Iron metals onto the surface. Dickens’ intricate hooded figures use a combination of Brown Rust, Black Rust and textured Majestic Rust to highlight the design, while the Copper background received a complementary sea green Verdigris patina which was polished with guidance by Dickens at the Axolotl workshop.
Axolotl is honoured to have worked with Karla Dickens and the Art Gallery of New South Wales on such a prominent and powerful artwork. We thank and congratulate all involved for creating such an important piece and after more than a century, completing the grand entry of the building.
For further information on this project please visit the project page on our AAP website here.
THE EVOLUTION OF POSSIBLE
Axolotl is the most awarded aesthetic surface company in the world. For the past 27 years, Axolotl has both pioneered and mastered the technique of bonding inflexible materials such as semi-precious metals, concrete and terracotta to almost any substrate, as well as producing parity-breaking decorative glass.
The unbridled nature of our product offering provides for a unique expression of design that arguably has no bounds for architects, designers and artists who seek out new paradigms of creativity and functionality.
To consolidate our successful growth and build our offer outside Australia, Axolotl have opened two new 10,000sqm factories - one in Thailand, and the other in North America, both with state-of-the-art equipment and machinery. This gives Axolotl not only the ability to service the world, but to offer our Australian clientele the opportunity to specify Axolotl surfaces on larger scale projects.
In the short term we will be operating two websites - the one you will already be familiar with, axolotl.com.au, which has been completely updated. A second website has been launched recently to represent the international business for our global clients at axolotlglobal.com. Both websites will continue to evolve over the next few months with new work, including in-depth video narratives of some of our most spectacular projects
In addition, our Art Projects website has been completely rebuilt - axolotlartprojects.com which we are delighted to share with you.
Please get in touch to discuss the exploration of rarity in the world of design, and how the design community re-think the very notion of surfaces.
North American Factory
Thai Factory