Architect and Builder September 2020 | Page 56

INTERIORWATCH THE LATEST NEWS AND PRODUCTS FROM THE COMMERCIAL INTERIOR INDUSTRY NEWSWORTHY WILLOWLAMP’S RANGE FOR NANDO’S Nando’s interiors feature local designs that are sourced via the Nando’s Design Programme, Clout, and its Portal to Africa. Lighting company willowlamp has its sights set on joining the Clout designers whose work comprises Nando’s iconic décor, and has designed a range of chandeliers that has been included on the purchasing portal. Adam Hoets, founder and creative director of willowlamp, calls the range ‘Audrey2’, after the carnivorous flower in the classic film Little Shop of Horrors. These colourful, zany chandeliers, which come in combinations of red, black and white and blue, purple and green, are intended to add to Nando’s local-is-lekker ambience. “The design is a bit of a departure from willowlamp’s core brand, since the laser-cut metal frames are powder-coated mild steel, not brushed stainless steel, and the design uses very little chain,” reveals Hoets. “The lights will be available in various sizes and colour choices as the powder-coated frames allow for differentiation.” www.willowlamp.com 24 CENTRAL REVAMPED BY HEAD INTERIORS Head Interiors recently carried out a revamp of the atrium and common circulation spaces at 24 Central, a well known building on the corner of Friedman Drive and Gwen Lane in Sandton. This multi-tenant building with a multi-level central atrium offers a mixture of commercial & retail spaces as well as several well known restaurants. Due to the fact that building has been operational for several years, the client realised the need to address the internal appearances and façades of the atrium and common circulations spaces in line with more contemporary developments and designs and to further enhance the spaces. The multi-level atrium and common lobbies called for an extensive revamp in order to upgrade the space. First, the layout was re-assessed and aligned to better suit the flow of visitor through the atrium space. The main reception counter was repositioned opposite the lift lobby on the ground floor with better visibility and access control. The turnstile configuration was also increased, and the layout improved to handle better entry and exit flows. The upgrade of materials was an important consideration to uplift and refresh the appearance of the space. For instance, the granite tiles on the ground floor were removed and replaced with a lighter and larger format porcelain floor tile. Selected walls on the ground floor were also retiled to give the space a more robust finish. The existing mahogany cladding around the core walls and the perimeter of the atrium on every level was replaced with more durable and lighter coloured timber panelling. Distinctive geometric patterns in the panelling creates a decorative, textured finish which constrasts with the slick black glass cladding that surrounds the lift elevations. The main feature of the atrium is the 13.5m high multi-faceted feature cladding that covers the core structure of the atrium. Finished in metallic silver Alucobond panels, the surface of the cladding is furthermore articulated with half tone images of people, emphasising the movement and the energy of humans through the space. www.headinteriors.com 56 Interior Watch