INTERIORWATCH
THE LATEST NEWS AND PRODUCTS FROM THE COMMERCIAL INTERIOR INDUSTRY
NEWSWORTHY
NEW SUSTAINABLE FLOORING INNOVATION
Interface , major global modular flooring producer and a world leader in sustainable flooring , has developed a new carpet tile backing with the lowest carbon footprint ever . The new CQuestBio backing contains no petrochemicals and features the highest level of bio-based content at the start of its lifecycle , coupled with 100 % end recyclability . Ton van Kerken , Senior Vice President of the Interface Supply Chain said the process to create the CQuestBio backing involved adding new non-bitumen , biobased materials and more recycled fillers to carpet tile production . “ The new material content – measured on a standalone basis – is net carbon negative and reduces the total product ’ s carbon footprint . This revolutionary backing is another important step towards helping customers achieve their own sustainability goals . Interface is already planning a more advanced backing – with even more carbonnegative materials – for 2021 as we work towards becoming a carbon negative enterprise by 2040 .” Interface has sold more than 379 million square metres of carbon neutral flooring globally . Interface products are distributed and installed in SA by KBAC Flooring . www . kbacflooring . co . za
PARAGON INTERFACE COMPLETES FIT-OUT AT 1 PARK LANE
If designing the interior fit-out for an iconic building is not enough of a demanding challenge , imagine the complexities that arise when such a building contains a number of different clients , each with their own requirements , branding and aesthetics .
This was the challenge that faced interior architecture company Paragon Interface , part of the Paragon Group , at 1 Park Lane in Sandton . “ Essentially what you end up with then is a number of smaller , self-contained projects contained within the whole ,” comments Paragon Interface Associate Kirsty Schoombie .
Located within the new Katherine Street mixed-use precinct , 1 Park Lane is a P-grade development . It has seven levels of parking and a ground floor , with Bidvest Financial Services occupying the building from reception to L4 .
There is an impressive double-volume space on L5 that forms the shared reception area for both Peregrine and Citadel . This is an elegant , high-end space containing various-sized meeting rooms . It came up with the unique concept of naming each meeting room after a prominent Johannesburg street or location , including specific photographs and locallycommissioned artwork to differentiate and individualise each space .
The southern wing contains a client entertainment area , in addition to an auditorium that is glazed on two sides to allow for breathtaking views over Johannesburg . The auditorium posed a particular technical challenge in terms of its acoustics and unique positioning .
Peregrine and Citadel occupy L6 to L10 , consisting of Peregrine Capital , Citadel Wealth Management , A2X and Peresec . The latter is a newly-listed company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange that takes up L9 and part of L10 , which is a hi-tech trading space that includes a bar and entertainment area , with panoramic views over northern Sandton .
“ A main feature of our design approach was to give each and every one of our clients a distinctive look and feel , especially as each one has their own corporate identity ,” notes Schoombie . This was achieved by means of specific furnishings , colour palettes , fabrics and fixtures , while also accommodating the specific technical requirements of such financial services companies .
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