Designed by Michael McCann from Dreamtime Australia Design, the new Grain bar at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney, is the perfect debut for our latest innovation, Axolotl Timber. By applying semi precious metals onto timbers or timber veneers and manipulating the raw materials, a unique surface element is created. The organic warmth of the timber grain contrasts the industrial lustre of the metal to stunning effect, as demonstrated here on the Axolotl Timber feature wall. Michael McCann hand selected a beautiful American Cherrywood for Axolotl Gold Bronze, which has been applied in a custom geometric pattern.

Axolotl Timber offers an unlimited design canvas through being able to combine any metal design onto a vast range of timbers.

Says Michael, "Grain has been designed as a unique “artisan” bar, blending a variety of commissioned artist finishes and features in timber and other medium. The name “Grain” was selected to reflect this – i.e. “Grains used in alcohol distillation" & “Woodgrain”. Grain features a blend of highly creative features bordering on the theatrical – yet at the same time elegant, warm and comfortable with a creativity-focused interior. Axolotl Timber plays a pivotal role in helping us realise this concept ".

Another great use of Axolotl Timber was recently illustrated at our DesignEx 2012 Exhibition. Below is a video of the stand, created by Steve Brown.

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/51658062 w=640&h=360]

Axolotl at DesignEx 2012 from Axolotl on Vimeo.

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.

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've 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 Axolotl will be showcasing a range of new products including the Australian International Design Award winning Concrete, our brand new Timber Link range and 'Concrete Jungle' bench seat, another collaboration with the talented team at The Uncarved Block. Alongside we'll be showing a selection of bespoke Axolotl glass and metal classics reworked in inventive and surprising new ways.

You can register for DesignEX free here. Axolotl are at stand number 1240 in Hall 2, not far from the Ebony Bar, make sure you drop by and say hello. We look forward to seeing you there.

Collaboration is something we value highly in all our projects, and for our stand this year we partnered with an incredible team of people. We would like to thank Philip Chia and The Uncarved Block team, Laser and Press, Australian Panel Products, Mott McDonald Engineers, Lasermade, More than Kitchens, EvoStyle, Display by Design and DSK Kitchens.

To refresh your memory, here are some images of Axolotl stands from previous years, designed by Philip Chia, Dale Jones-Evans and Iain Halliday.

Axolotl Lucent was shortlisted for Best New Product at DesignEX this year. We of course, are thrilled but not surprised. This unique and innovative product, takes glass to a new level of possibilities. Panels are deep carved to a standard or custom design, and injected with transparent dyes creating a colour feature that can represent understated simplicity or a dramatic kaleidoscope of colour.

Lucent naturally features on our stand, injecting a green hue into the angled glass blades forming one wall of the stand. The facing wall of double lasercut screens in Axolotl Treasury Bronze mirrors the three dimensional design of the Lucent panels.

Our new timber inspired range, Ingrain, forms the wall paneling in Pewter, and in Bronze Florentine for the flooring, demonstrating both its versatility as well as durability. A floating bench, bonded with Axolotl Cayman contrasts beautifully with a splash of lawn.

Illuminated Miro glass laminated panels displaying vibrant images of butterflies line the interior walls and a section of the floor features Axolotl Lunar flooring in Pewter. The entire structure is wrapped in Axolotl Viper in Bronze from our Skin collection.

Special to thanks to our partners: Philip Chia, JSB Lighting, Bang & Olufsen, Sydney Glass, Linea Interiors and De De Ce.

 Winner: LINK

Company: AXOLOTL

Judges Comments: “The judges were uniformly blown away by the design potential of LINK. We could have spent hours guessing the technology: from designer to inventor to materials scientist: every judge was enthralled.”

We are blown away by the accolades and interest in LINK, but not surprised. ‘Link’ is the perfect integration of science and beauty that can only be delivered by the integration of Axolotl Metal and Axolotl Glass.

This unique product contrasts a traditionally course material with the delicate nature of glass so the rust appears to float in the air. Link can be used for screens, feature walls, doors, signage and balustrades. In fact anywhere you require beauty and durability as the product can be used in and outdoors. As with all our products, the final design can also be custom made to your specifications.

As well as ‘Best New Product’ award at Designex, Axolotl won two awards for ‘Best Stand 30-70m’ and ‘Best Dressed Stand’. Rusted screens formed the walls and ceiling and Axolotl's ‘Miro’ glass laminated floor featured an enlarged clover leaf design. Link was of course included, as columns and external glass panels. The PVC poles were coated in ‘Skin’ by Axolotl Metal. This beautiful stand was created by Philip Chia.

DesignEx was the venue to formally launch the much anticipated ‘Signature Series’ of doors. It proved a great start to a new era and The ‘Signature Series’ was so well received it won the coveted Product Design Award for Furniture.

We were especially fortunate this year to have architect Dale Jones-Evans to design the stand. Both he and  Aspa Sagiotis were tireless in their creativity and their ‘manpower’ in creating a true work of art.

Our 40 square metre ‘Lustre’ wall also proved a huge hit and was no doubt an integral part of the decision to make an Honourable Mention of Axolotl Group in the award for Best Dressed Stand.

Titled ‘Artwall No. 2’, the wall is a perfect example of what can be achieved using Lustre glass and demonstrates the flexibility of being able to create a simple or complex design using this medium. The wall was manufactured using Lustre Pearl, and was deep carved, mirrored and backlit.