From the creative minds of the talented team at JPDC, comes the latest venue to hit the Sydney bar scene, 'The Bar' at one of the most prestigious Hotels in Sydney's CBD. Axolotl were engaged by Joseph Pang, principle at JPDC, to design and create the feature walls and signage for the moody interior inspired by a vintage timepiece motif.The luminous backdrop for the bar was fabricated by Axolotl employing a combination of processes and techniques to produce a unique and entirely bespoke feature. Laminated MIRO glass with translucent printed interlayer is inlayed with Axolotl LINK in Rust, demonstrating to great effect Axolotl's ability to combine multiple processes and products across our glass and metal ranges to create something truly original. 

Entry to the bar is flanked with a lasercut feature signage wall in Rust which echoes the timepiece concept and materiality running throughout.

Metal LINK

The entry to this Northern Beaches residence is another stunning example of Axolotl LINK combined with laminated MIRO glass. Here we have inlaid Treasury Bronze into both faces of the glass in a custom screen like design to create depth and a multi-dimensional quality. Laminated with a soft white interlayer, the translucent panel retains sufficient privacy whilst still allowing movement and the transmission of light into the space beyond.

Concrete LINK

The latest addition to the LINK range is our new Concrete surface applied onto or inlaid in to glass. With this particular example we have first applied the concrete entirely to the glass surface, then etched through the concrete, simultaneously articulating the design and creating translucent areas through the glass.

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 projects: Feature glass in Chinatown 

Those visiting the bustling inner Sydney district of Chinatown recently will have been treated to the dazzling glow of red light from a new information kiosk.

This concept was designed by Frost* Design and Lacoste + Stevenson Architects, with feature glass supplied by Axolotl.

The feature walls were created using toughened and curved glass, with a textured Graphite design adding dimension and tactile interest. Daytime throws sun onto graphite creating shine, whilst at night the kiosk comes alive with the area being backlit to contrast the red with solid graphite.

David Stevenson explains the concept, "The conversion of the seating pagoda in Dixon Street to an information kiosk to service Chinatown called for a sympathetic and contextual design. The design approach is to treat the new enclosure as a patterned red lantern by day which is illuminated by night. The lantern is inserted inside the existing pagoda structure and is clearly understood as a new volume. It consists of 2 semi-circular volumes that are clad with patterned, curved glass; the pattern was created by paper-cut artist Pamela Mei-Leng See with cultural reference to the Chinese community including flowers, fish and birds. The sliding semi-circle of glass screens open to reveal a hot red interior that houses a wall of shelving for brochures, pamphlets and tourist information."

This project was made possible thanks to: City of Sydney, Frost* Design, Lacoste + Stevenson Architects, Lighting, Art & Science, Simpson Design Associates, Philip Chun, Morris Goding, Pamela Mei-Leng See, Growthbuilt, AGP Group (Architectural Glass Projects), Bent & Curved, DDK Electrical Services Pty Limited, Top Class Joinery Pty Limited and Axolotl.

Axolotl projects: LINK entry facade, Delhi. From a recent collaboration between Axolotl and Michael McCann from Dreamtime Australia Design comes this stunning entry door and facade for Aman Hotel in New Delhi, India.

Utilising the award winning Axolotl LINK, the pattern spans 4 separate panels at the full height of the entrance, bringing an air of grandeur that befits the calibre of the Aman brand. LINK is a totally unique process where iron is inlaid into glass and rusted to create virtually any design at all.

McCann explained to Axolotl that when designing he set out to blend the modern and contemporary with the cultural traditions of the area. The result is a pattern inspired by local textiles and mosaics found in New Delhi.

The final result is a great example of the international capabilities of Axolotl and proves good design combined with bespoke materials is unrestricted by time or distance.

Axolotl Showcase: Entry Doors

Axolotl is at the forefront of contemporary surfaces and our range of doors exemplify our unique product. An Axolotl door sets the tone of a home from the outset, establishing character and bespoke quality.

All of the doors we create are custom designed by our design team in ongoing consultation with our clients, allowing our clients complete control and ownership over the process. This inclusive collaboration produces stunning results, some examples of which are shown here.

Axolotl Showcase: Studio Becker

Axolotl continue to be at the forefront of commercial contemporary design in Australia. Proof of this is our recent collaboration with Dale Jones Evans Architects in conjunction with one of the most exciting, international kitchen manufacturers - Studio Becker. The Studio Becker showroom located in Redfern, officially opened on the 20th of August, bringing their uniquely beautiful, yet remarkably functional, kitchens and wardrobes to the most stylish Australian homes.

Axolotl was entrusted by Studio Becker to provide a range of bespoke glass pieces for the Sydney showroom, including Veil, Miro, Lustre and Mirror. It's showroom entrances from start to finish and is the perfect testimony to Axolotl's capabilities when it comes to contemporary glass design and innovation. Axolotl would like to officially welcome Studio Becker to Australia and offer our congratulations to Fiona Lochtenberg on her new venture.

Axolotl Showcase: Tiffany & Co

All that glitters is not gold... It's stunning Tiffany glass features by Axolotl.

We were excited to be commissioned by the Tiffany's design team to create an eclectic range of jewel-like glass feature pieces for their new flagship store in Melbourne.

Five of Axolotl's bespoke glass processes were specified for the project including a stunning entry facade featuring a double laminated starphire glass with a signature carved wheat-leaf pattern, an internal frit formed glass feature wall over two levels, and mirrored balustrading.

Synonymous with elegance and exceptional quality, Tiffany's is a prestigious showcase for Axolotl Glass and its Melbourne store is testament to Axolotl's commitment to high quality, cutting edge design and processes.

Axolotl Showcase: Sculpture

At Axolotl it’s our privilege to work with some of Australia's best artists to produce awe inspiring and bespoke artworks for both local and international projects.

Look up when you next visit Brisbane Airport, to see the amazing outcome of our recent collaboration with HASSELL and artist Louise Pearson – 100 one metre wide laser cut butterflies fill the ceiling void, coated in a range of Axolotl surfaces including bronze viper, copper and rust verdigris.

Another recent project, titled 'True Forms' designed by Camie Lyons, takes pride of place in a private residence in Phuket, Thailand. The site specific works are cast in aluminium and coated in Axolotl Bronze Rust and Verdigris patina. Over four metres in height, the artist describes the sculptures as two dynamic marks in space, a loose portrait to the couple who commissioned them, ghostly at night reflecting the shimmering light and tall silent figures during the day. You can see further works by Camie Lyons at her solo show at Tim Olsen Gallery from 23rd November.

The graffiti installation above, designed by Peter Day from Environmental Art and Design, demonstrates the diversity of Axolotl products. The design came out of extensive community engagement with various youth groups - from kids interviewed on the street to young writers and youth council. Overwhelmingly, their response was a desire for greater respect from the community and for their culture, especially visual, to be taken seriously. The kids wrote the stories displayed on the glass panels, and directed & edited the illustrations.

Preference for the materiality of the installation, as indicated by the young artists involved, was for glass, stainless steel and rust, the perfect Axolotl combination. Manufactured from Miro glass cut to complex shapes, rust and mild steel the installation is pin fixed in place at the new Hurstville Bus Exchange.

Our unique metal, concrete and glass elements are a crucial asset to the modern artist's palette, enabling the creation of magnificent sculptures, delicate architectural pieces and monumental works of art.

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.