NEWSWORTHY
NEW INTERFACE SKINNY PLANKS PAY HOMAGE TO CENTURIES-OLD TEXTILES
Inspired by the world’ s most beloved textiles, the latest range of sustainable carpet tiles from Interface, the world’ s largest modular flooring producer, has been launched in South Africa by KBAC Flooring, the sole southern African distributor for Interface.
Interface’ s new World Woven Collection brings a distinctive, handcrafted feel to a broad array of interior projects and pays homage to centuries-old woollen textiles, from Scottish tweed to Saori hand-weaving. World Woven comprises six Skinny Planks and three coordinating square tiles, each with eight colours and made with recycled nylon. World Woven colours recall undyed wools- with just a bit of contrast. As in nature, each colour is made of many hues mingled together to create a vivid, hand-made effect. Whether used as a simple, neutral background or combined to create diversity and movement, World Woven provides designers with exciting new creative options.
Developed by Interface’ s exclusive product designer, David Oakey of David Oakey Designs, the collection recalls memories of some of the most enduring textiles of the past, including the tweeds and bespoke woven textiles of Oakey’ s upbringing in the UK. The beauty of hand-weaving is that it’ s closer to nature than the synthetic uniformity of‘ modern’ machined production. In a traditional Scottish tweed, for example, what looks like solid green actually has at least 10 to 15 colours, which is similar to the way nature works with colour. Other artisanal fabrics, like the freeform weaves known as Saori, are similarly diverse. www. kbac. co. za
ECOPHON INTRODUCES AKUSTO ONE
As a complement to acoustic ceilings, Ecophon Akusto wall panels solve acoustic challenges whilst also providing opportunities to create feature design installations. An array of sizes, colours and different textured finishes ensure that Akusto is suitable for a range of applications. Ecophon has introduced Akusto One in the wall panel range. It is a series of circular, square and rectangular absorbers in smaller dimensions, all 40mm in depth. Innovative designs and patterns can be created while also providing high performing sound absorption. To top it off, they’ re as easy to install as it is hanging a painting on the wall.
To increase the sound absorption in the room this system gives you the possibility to install Ecophon Akusto One SQ on the wall. The systems give design possibilities, working with different formats and colours to create various patterns.
Akusto One SQ is available in various sizes with a weight of 2,0-4,5kg. The panel is manufactured from high density glass wool. The visible surface has a glass fibre fabric Texona in colours and is also available with a painted surface( Akutex™ FT). The back of the panel is covered with glass tissue. The edges are straight cut and painted in white or grey. www. ecophon. com
TRANFORMING CONCRETE FLOORS
Concrete floors are a popular floor covering due to the trend in interior design for a minimalist, industrial look. It includes bare concrete and screed finishes, as well as seamless floors with homogenous colours. The TAL range includes floor finishes from cement-based to epoxy, resin and urethane floors. It offers polished, decorative and seamless finishes for a range of applications, from industrial flooring required in warehouses, industrial workshops, retail spaces, hotels, showrooms, commercial kitchens and restaurants to seamless floor finishes in the home. Some of the floors available are best suited for larger developments that can allow access for grinding and polishing machines. They are ideal for applications with exposure to heavy traffic and are available in varying combinations of base colours and aggregate finishes. In order to ensure a successful installation, all substrates must be integrally sound, with no crumbling or cracking and of a quality and consistency suitable for a topping. All damaged, defective or hollow-sounding areas must be removed and the floor made good before proceeding. Overlayment and decorative screeding should be undertaken using rapid-setting, shrinkagecompensated screeding compounds. Furthermore, any large variations in floor levels should also be rectified. www. tal. co. za
Interior Watch 89