F2 Architecture took out the Laminex Australia Project of the Year title for their work on the Marais fitout in Melbourne. The company won the honour for innovative use of product and stunning design. F2 Architecture also took home the $10,000 business grant.
Home to luxury fashion brands including Celine, Givenchy, Balenciaga and Rick Owens, the Marais fitout reflects the quality with a luxurious interior themed on a dark fairy tale. F2 used the flexibility and lightweight nature of Laminex Innovations in Mirror Smoke to provide a beautiful and crystalline mirrored ceiling.
In its inaugural year, Project of the Year received 136 entries from Australian fabrication, design and specification businesses with all projects featuring Formica, Laminex or essastone products in residential or commercial applications. Thirty six projects were shortlisted by an internal judging panel against three key criteria of innovation, function and design, and then evaluated by a panel of talented industry professionals and Laminex Australia representatives.
The panel included Ken Cato of Cato Designs, Matt Gibson and Martyn Weaver of Matt Gibson Architecture + Design, Catherine Valente from Porter Davis, and Laminex Australia’s Group Design Director, Neil Sookee and General Manager Marketing, George Bej.
The judges were impressed with the range of high quality commercial and residential projects; however, the inspiring, innovative and design forward fitout by F2 Architecture was a clear standout, according to Laminex Australia’s General Manager Marketing, George Bej, who said that the use of Laminex Innovations in the mirrored finish was a remarkable, yet surprising element to the design as laminate is not usually used on the ceiling, especially as a decorative reflective surface. The overall high-end design of the Marais fitout was stylish from every angle and deserved the Project of the Year accolade.
Founding Director of Melbourne based firm F2 Architecture, Frank Marioli said it was a great honour to win the title, especially for the Marais project, considering Laminex Innovations helped them achieve their vision. Frank added that F2 Architecture will use the $10,000 business grant to continue their research and development into the unique and innovative use of materials in future projects.
The judges also unanimously agreed on naming a project in an apartment in Darlinghurst, NSW by Scott Weston as highly commended for its beautiful joinery work.
