2013 was a great year for Axolotl and full of firsts and finals.  

Highlights of firsts were the launch of our furniture brand Anomaly, as well as working with Grand Designs on the amazing Forest Lodge Eco House. Naturally, this is alongside all the creative and exciting projects by architects and designers which never cease to inspire. We sincerely look forward to working with you all again this year.

As for finals, we were shortlisted as one of three contenders from an international line-up to create two feature walls for Hong Kong airport. At this point in time, everything is crossed for success which will be an accolade not just for Axolotl and the many partner companies who have become part of this project, but also for Australian design and manufacturing.

The images here are of two recent projects completed late last year. This beautiful garage door has been carved with our Cortex pattern which has been coated in Bronze and naturally aged to a florentine patina, giving an authentic and commanding entry for this client.

Axolotl are the leaders in metal surface technology and offer several varied options in Rust alone, this second beautiful garage door features a naturally aged Marine Rust.

Finally, we have started the year creating profiles on Pinterest and Instagram (Axolotl & Anomaly), enabling you to save images for design inspiration and to stay in tune with what we are up to. We have also set up a new Anomaly Facebook page, and make sure to keep updated with recent Axolotl projects by liking our Axolotl Facebook page.

Whilst we are unable to disclose our design for the Hong Kong airport due to confidentiality agreements, we can let you know that it is an exciting cutting edge technology, made specifically for this project.

Every now and then a project comes along that resonates deeper into the human mind and heart. That delves into the grey area between art and design, and becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

Earlier this year, Chris Knierim and Belinda Mason, approached Axolotl to help create an entry for their home, a small terrace in Sydney's inner west. Belinda, a well know photographer, had captured an aerial shot of their home and surrounding suburbs in a helicopter, with the idea to recreate the image using Axolotl's processes.

Axolotl then carved the image into the door, replicating the fine detail of the houses, cars and trees. Finally, the door and panel was coated in an aged aluminium. The overall effect is as if the door was carved from a solid aluminium block.

What was realised is a totally unique, and personal design that celebrates the owners love of their home and family from the outside in.

It is also a wonderful example of the endless possibilities when using Axolotl processes.

The home was recently featured on the latest season of Grand Designs Australia and Axolotl was privileged to be featured on the episode. We're also excited that Axolotl House will be featured in Grand Designs magazine, in February next year.

INSIDE: IDEA Awards

The IDEA awards for 2013 was held in Melbourne recently. Axolotl, for the third year in a row, was again called on to make the awards for this prestigious event. The team devised a trophy hewn from Tasmanian Oak, coupled with an aged Bronze TimberLINK, applied in a geometric pattern. Axolotl would like to extend our congratulations to the IDEA Awards team and to all the winners this year.

Each quarter Axolotl will put a series of questions to an industry 'luminary' to get an insight into both their talent and their feel for the future. This issue we introduce Iain Halliday from Burley Katon Halliday. This Sydney based design firm needs no introduction with its work credited with redefining Sydney’s inner city landscape.

What keeps you inspired?

Travel, magazines, books, movies and good clients. 

What project do you consider to be your greatest achievement so far?

It is hard to pick the 'greatest'. Favourites include:

• Republic
• Darley Street Thai
• Bartlett Pennington House
• Xavier Salon 1
• Reynolds Apartment
• Benny Yacht 

Have you ever refused to comply with a client request or design? If so, why? 

Yes but the reasons would be too complex to explain in this piece of writing, leaving us looking inflexible - a clichéd criticism that people level at architects and designers.

Are there any architects whose work encapsulates your own ideals?

There are many and their work is diverse like ours. Some architects we are particularly inspired by are:

• Mies van der Rohe
• Josef Hoffmann
• Richard Neutra
• Eero Saarinen

Did/do you have a mentor? 

Yes, George Freedman and David Katon.

Which Australian building excites you the most?

The Opera House; it is truly extraordinary still.

What do you see as key trends over the next couple of years in domestic or commercial design?

• Increased use of moulded forms in materials such as acrylics and upholstery.
• Increased use of strong and 'off beat' colours and finishes, and mixes of old + new furniture.
• A greater cross-over between 'home' and 'work' environments as more people work from home and look for comfort in their work interiors combined with precision in their working interiors.

Which trend in architecture or design are you totally over?

'Chicken coop' architecture where many corrugated roof pavilions collide like a train accident.

Do you see a lot of development in Sydney over the next year or so?

Yes, I hope more and more and better and better.

A humble garage door and entry to a home located on Sydney Harbour have just been given a huge makeover thanks to the talents of Peter Campbell of Campbell Barnett, Graham Day Garage Doors and Axolotl. The adventurous clients wanted to capitalise on the stunning harbour views beyond the garage property, as well as deviate from the traditional idea of a garage. 

In response, Peter devised a contemporary and multi-layered bushland image taken from trees on the property. The concept was enabled by the availability of Axolotl's unique processes and materials. First, the panels were precision cut to the design that allowed maximum visibility through, whilst concealing the customised frame. They were then applied with several layers of Axolotl Bronze in smooth, light and cast textures, to illustrate the layers of the contemporary bushland graphic.

As possible as it was, it wouldn't be true to say it was a simple project as it spanned over a year and involved in depth design discussions and meticulous planning. The efforts of the team did not go unrewarded however, as the result is an awe inspiring, captivating entry for this stunning home.

Grand Designs
Axolotl are very excited to be showcased on the next episode of Grand Designs Australia. The film crew came through earlier on this year to shoot the development of an outstanding entrance, that drove innovation in manufacturing as well as design. Grand Designs Australia episode 6 - "Forest Lodge Eco House", premiering tonight on Foxtel's Lifestyle Channel at 8.30PM.

Axolotl House + Anomaly
We have had a huge response so far for Anomaly, the pop up showroom is still open on the corner of Oxford and Palmer streets but won't be for long so be sure to head along to check out the range. We have also just updated the photo gallery's for Axolotl House thanks to the talents of Mark Donaldson of MDP, with more great shots still to come.

Axolotl, and Evostyle bring you Anomaly, a new era in furniture design. Anomaly represents only the most innovative Australian design through a showcase of unique furniture, homewares and lighting.

Select Australian architects and designers have rendered raw materials of concrete, timber and metal into an exciting, original design aesthetic not previously available in the local market. What they have created has only been made possible through the unique technologies offered by both Axolotl and Evostyle, who are already regarded as pioneers in surfaces and manufacturing.

Each product is carefully finished to the meticulous standards that reflect the craftsmanship and quality that will come to be synonymous with the brand. Each piece a conceptual anomaly in its intended surprise, whilst the irregularity and unique design markings in many of the pieces intended to give each object character that is so often missing in the mass manufactured. All pieces are intentionally, and proudly, Australian designed and manufactured.

The designers selected to launch the brand include David Caon, Matthew Sheargold, Philip Chia, Adam Cornish, David Knott, Facet Studio and Ben Wahrlich. New designs by emerging and established designers in a range of design fields will follow throughout the next 12 months and beyond. 

The inaugural launch held in Darlinghurst was embraced by the local design community.  "I was very impressed with the high standard, quality, design, and manufacture. It certainly sets a tone for the international scene." said Darren Palmer."The market has been in need of this type of innovation for some time." 

To see the Anomaly range please visit the Anomaly pop up showroom – 104 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst (cnr Palmer St) until 15 November, open Monday to Friday 10-5pm. For further information on Anomaly please visit the Anomaly website at anomaly.com.au

Hard lines and soft texture are the defining point for this new kitchen for a client in Sydney's North. Created using a combination of our innovative Axolotl concrete surfaces on the benchtop and splashback it's easy to see how much potential is realised when shrugging off the constraints of traditional concrete construction. 

The end result is original and simple in its execution, but exudes contemporary design in one of the most important rooms in the home. The splashback has been created by taking a single CFC sheet and bonding it with Concrete Slate in a lunar texture. The same process is used to create the bench, with the vertical surface featuring an abstract design carved directly into the MDF before the Concrete Shale is bonded. 

The simple execution of these finishes truly portray the versatility of the Axolotl Concrete range whilst retaining the beauty and integrity of solid concrete. 

Axolotl Solid is a new extension of the Axolotl offer. Sheet metals are now able to be patinated in a variety of different colours, from verdi gris, florentine and pearl. Axolotl Solid metals, such as copper, brass, aluminium, mild steel and stainless steel are available in a variety of thicknesses and can be used where sheet metal is required in lieu of our decorative metal coatings. This range offers architects and designers the ability to specify pre-aged panels on a new build or renovation, avoiding bright and inconsistent 'fresh' metal, while ensuring the characteristics of the solid metal are retained.

The recently completed, Fender Katsalidis designed 4NC building in Canberra (pictured here), was a great opportunity to launch Axolotl's latest benchmark in aged metals. Axolotl was sought out to provide an aged finish on copper sheeting that was applied to the 8 metre high blades, which became the feature piece in the centre of the building. The copper theme was carried throughout the building, also being applied to several walls and ceilings. Axolotl worked alongside Lend Lease, CBS and Micos in creating a lasting impression on the Canberra landscape. 

The pre-aged copper finish works so well as it gives an established patina to new projects.  The organic nature of the ageing process enables an intended inconsistency in the panels, just as the material would do naturally if left for several years. It also works well in high traffic areas as it prevents marks such as fingerprints and offers the ability to topcoat the copper for further protection.

 A full set of samples will be shown in our next e-card, alongside our other exciting developments in glass, concrete, metal and timber.

This hand selected range of entrance doors and garage doors complement our metal coatings both in style and execution. The door above utilises our signature Doric design, which beautifully displays a graphite finish both in smooth and cast textures. Complementing this is a graphite garage door - using the same material in a pitted texture, juxtaposed by the stark white render surrounds.

Axolotl's processes make it simple to achieve a highly personalised statement entry piece by simply adding a strong aging technique or custom etched design. Or, as illustrated in the sixth image a custom made handle, coated in bronze pearl, is all that is required to set this entry feature apart.

To keep you inspired our brand new glass and concrete brochures are now available to be downloaded from our products page.

In other exciting news, Axolotl are very pleased to announce that we are setting up a factory in Dubai to service the GCC region, and will be operational from August. Please contact Dubai Metal Axolotl JV for any enquiries axolotl@dubaimetal.net.

We are excited to introduce our next venture into the world of stylish living with the launch of Axolotl House in the Hunter Valley.
Corymbia is a private guesthouse set high on the hill surrounded by ancient Angophoras and Corymbias with views through Eucalypts and over the vineyards. Located only 160 kilometres or 2 hours drive north of Sydney near the township of Broke.

The homestead was hand-built over five years by one of the founding brothers of Axolotl, Kim Torma. Nestled into rocks at the high end of the 100-acre property, it is private and serene. Every adobe (mud-brick) was sourced from the property and made by hand. The mud-brick construction and meticulous carpentry are perfectly complemented by eclectic artwork, creating an ambiance which attracts many return visitors. Of course, the design is enhanced throughout with work by Axolotl.

From the moment you are welcomed with farm fresh eggs and wine, to the last glance back as you leave the property you will be under Corymbia's spell.

For more information on Corymbia please visit the Axolotl House website.

2013 has been a busy few months so far for Axolotl, with the launch of Axolotl Timber and brand new Website, we have still managed to complete a range of exciting projects that we have added to our eclectic portfolio. 

Tiffanys have recently completed the Bondi Junction Westfield - our third Tiffany project where Axolotl have played an integral part. Working with the Tiffany design team, we produced a range of glass blades incorporating the Tiffany wheat leaf design that was executed in silver leaf and then laminated between two sheets of starphire glass. The blades majestically surround the centrepiece diamond cabinet.

The Lindt café in Sydney's CBD, designed by Rolf Ockert was another project featuring Axolotl Glass. This time using Miro curved glass, laminated with a chocolate and gold mirrored banding as seen in the image below.

The head office of Melbourne's John Holland  underwent a new fitout, with design by ‪Fu‪turespace. It boasts another great use of Axolotl concrete on the Fluted blade walls, surrounding the elevators. The space emphasises a great use of texture, soft furnishings and colour.

Bronze Verdegris Garden Features

We were very impressed with the final result of these huge planters and water features, coated in Bronze then aged with a Florentine and Verdegris Patina. Our coatings have really transform the aesthetic of the raw GFC, to create a unique and authentic finish that seamlessly blends into the environment. 

Warburton Art Project

Since 1993 Kiln formed glass has been an important medium of expression for Ngaanyatjarra People involved in the‪ Warburton Artist Program in the Warburton Ranges, Western Australia.

Recognising the importance of this venture, which encourages creativity in the region, we are pleased to announce that artist Warren Langley has donated one of the large glass forming kilns used by Axolotl. The Ngaanyatjarra community share a similar passion for expression in glass, and we are pleased to be a part of encouraging further development of their glass making.

An Anomaly + Axolotl House

In line with our commitment to not just meet needs - but to create them, we will soon be launching our next venture in design - a new undertaking under a different banner, bringing a blend of contemporary and traditional materials which will really shake up the market. In parallel, we are also working on a new Axolotl retreat in the Hunter Valley which will be available as a private guesthouse. More information in upcoming e-cards.