St Martin’s Courtyard, Covent Garden
St Martin’s Courtyard was created as a mixed-use retail, dining and lifestyle destination in the heart of London’s Covent Garden district. Every year, millions of people enjoy its many attractions, including shopping, theatres, restaurants, bars, history and culture. St Martin’s Courtyard is one of the several pedestrianized areas of the popular neighbourhood.
After a competition, Brimelow McSweeney Architects was commissioned to further develop the concept of the courtyard with a complete refurbishment. The architects’ proposal sought to create a large attractive terrace to the restaurants, unique entrance features and facades to entice passers-by into the courtyard.
A major contribution to the revamping of the pedestrianised area comes from the use of Corian® Exteriors, a solution based on Corian® Solid Surface which is widely used around the world for innovative and eye-catching architectural projects.
Three different pathways lead into St Martin’s Courtyard with its open-air restaurant dining, bars and shops. Brimelow McSweeney Architects used a range of different materials, patterns and lighting solutions for each entrance feature, fitting out a full immersion into a visually entertaining experience while leaving all city noises behind.
The approach to the courtyard design sought to enhance the outdoor living creating an inner city garden atmosphere for people to sit and relax while attracting other visitors as the installations are visible from the street.
The terrace was designed as a feature reminiscing of Mediterranean architecture, a series of classical arches supported by columns create an elegant arcade in the centre of the courtyard. The entire arcade was clad with Corian® Exteriors in a marble-like textured colour. The unique thermoforming properties of the material allowed for the curved shapes of arches and vault, with seamless joints between the glued panels. Corian® Exteriors was also used for the façade of the terrace over the ground and first floor with a pattern mirroring the arches, giving the entire facade visual continuity. LED lighting fixtures were integrated into the Corian® cladding, providing an attractive and unusual illumination to St Martin’s Courtyard especially at night.
The cube above the terrace has also been clad with Corian® Exteriors. Brimelow McSweeney Architects created a decorative façade with a small geometric pattern cut into the material, displaying a stunning effect of light and shadows, further emphasized when backlit.
“We were able to achieve the monolithic look we wanted for our large-scale design thanks to the versatility of Corian® Exteriors. Its thermoforming properties and the inconspicuous seams allowed us to create the arches, the columns and the decorative wall cladding exactly as we had designed them. The support of Corian® Exteriors specialists in the UK and the great skills and know-how of Dolphin company in the fabrication of Corian® Solid Surface were extremely helpful for the completion of our project.” explained Sheila Eilenberg, Director of Brimelow McSweeney Architects.
The fabrication of Corian® Solid Surface for the exterior cladding panels used in the project has been done by Dolphin Solutions Ltd company (www.dolphinsolutions.co.uk).
For the design of facades, Corian® Exteriors is a reliable solution that offers limitless creative possibilities to architects and designers. Besides its renowned aesthetical properties that last for years, it withstands wear, UV rays and freeze-thaw cycles while being also very easy to clean or repair in case of damage.
Corian® Solid Surface is the first and only solid surface in the world to be CE-marked for Exterior Cladding. The Corian® Design business has completed in early 2020 a European Technical Assessment (ETA) certification process concerning Corian® Solid Surface in collaboration with Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik (DIBT). This certification means that customers can count on a durable exterior cladding system that will maintain the original high performance for many years.
Other Projects
Watsons Bay House
This residence, nestled in the Watsons Bay Heritage Conservation Area, embodies a harmonious blend of traditional aesthetics and contemporary design principles. Its structure, a three-level house, pays homage to the architectural heritage of the area’s original fishing village cottages. Yet, it diverges into modernity with its innovative use of space, materials, and integration with its […]
Ahead of the Curve – La Casa Curvilínea
La Casa Curvilínea is truly ahead of the curve with its minimal, modern interpretation of Mediterranean design by the visionary duo, Tyson and Teegan Doherty of Doherty Building Group. This beautiful four-bedroom family home is a symphony of gentle curves, warm hues, and innovative materials. At the heart of this serene abode lies its kitchen […]
Robina Town Centre Amenities
The i2C Interiors Team was engaged by QIC to re-imagine the amenities with a particular focus on the parent’s room at Robina Town Centre. Understanding the importance of amenities as a key customer touch point, QIC’s brief to i2C was to create a design that was better representative of the Robina Brand and more focused […]
The Avenue
When it comes to home renovations, it’s not just about the visual appeal but also about functionality, durability, and most importantly, the lifestyle it supports. Situated on the south coast, “The Avenue” is a prime example of how a full home renovation can be seamlessly blended with design and practicality. Taking inspiration from its coastal […]
Central Park Tower, Perth
The new Central Park Cafe, Hemingway, was designed in conjunction with the Central Park Lobby upgrade. The curved monolithic forms of the main lobby extended to the new cafe counter, with a large boulder-esque sculpted appearance, gently resting in place. The design team designed a cafe counter to look like a large boulder and were […]
Ora Apartments
Nestled along the beachfront of Sorrento WA, Ora Apartments stands as a testament to the pinnacle of coastal living. This exquisite residential haven, crafted by the esteemed architects and visionary interior design teams of MJA Studio, introduces you to the epitome of “barefoot luxury.” Among the many highlights is the Corian® Rain Cloud kitchen island, […]
Waterman Eastland
Waterman Eastland launches an innovative post-pandemic co-working model: a vibrant community within a retail, hospitality and services hub. Inspired by neighbouring Mullum Mullum Creek, it addresses WFH isolation and long commutes and connects diverse tenants via flexible offices, communal habitats and spectacular natural light and volumes from the adjacent atrium. Seamlessly woven into an existing […]
Chic Centrefold
New Zealand designer Annika Rowson has just unveiled this elegant beauty – a third kitchen in her Rowson Kitchens showroom. Having a showroom that changes every couple of years enables Annika not only to showcase leading edge materials, concepts and functional features in kitchen design, but also to personally challenge herself to apply materials in […]
The Aesthetic Mastery of TAEGA Cosmetic Clinic
Designed by the talented duo Yew Hann Loo (Hann) and Elly Yang of Axe Architects, TAEGA Cosmetic Clinic has successfully redefined the conventional cosmetic clinic experience, blending aesthetics and functionality seamlessly. The interior design, a meticulous creation by Hann and Elly, revolves around subtle colours, lighting, and textures, with a predominant light beige hue symbolising […]
Toorak House: Blending Mid-Century Charm with Contemporary Elegance
Nestled in the scenic lanes of Toorak, stands a mid-century gem that has witnessed the laughter and memories of two family generations. As times change and aesthetics evolve, homes too require a touch of modernity, and that’s exactly what Melanie Beynon Architecture and Design set out to do with the Toorak House. Melanie and the […]
Microsoft, North Sydney
Located within 1 Denison Street in North Sydney, the new Microsoft Australia Head Office breaks the mould of a traditional workplace and is a fully immersive experience. Thanks to the collective expertise of the GroupGSA team. Microsoft’s hybrid office experience features intelligent lighting, robotics and advanced workplace occupancy sensors linked to Microsoft platforms. The 10,000sqm […]
Beach View Residence: A Luxurious Day Spa Retreat Transformed
Birdblack Design, led by designer Stuart Gibson, has successfully transformed a standard bathroom into a breathtaking day spa retreat in the Beach View Residence. The project, which aimed to create a beautiful haven for the empty-nester clients, involved combining the main bathroom and WC to create one large, seamless space. Birdblack Design drew inspiration from […]
McDonald’s Sydney International Airport
Floating above the departing passengers, and announcing itself from afar, is a glowing yellow glass box; a new McDonald’s at Sydney Airport’s Terminal 1, designed by Landini Associates in collaboration with McDonald’s Australia. The brief for the restaurant was simple: create an iconic, memorable customer experience, like nothing seen before in restaurant design. For Landini, […]
Seamless Precision | Footscray Apartment
The owners of the apartment pictured desired a more ambiguous kitchen than usual. The functional facilities were conceived by Boardgrove Architects, as sculptural art-like objects rather than utilitarian pieces of equipment. Corian® was the natural choice for this project, as it is less stereotypical a material for kitchen benchtops in comparison the standard materials such as […]
Geoff Handbury Science and Technology Hub
The new Geoff Handbury Science and Technology Hub at Melbourne Grammar School, is a simple, singular sculptural structure. It produces compelling imagery that alludes to the scientific and technological investigations taking place within. The building is sympathetic to the campus heritage and identity, contributing to the ‘Bluestone Campus’ character in both form and colour. It […]
Mossman Court
The brief from the client was to design, build and install custom Joinery for a prestigious home in one of the most sought-after addresses in Noosa, Mossman Court. Corian® was used throughout the project, including Kitchen benchtops with moulded sinks, BBQ benchtop, Powder Room vanity with moulded basin, and various bathrooms and ensuites throughout the home, […]
Rhodes House, West Perth
The team at Cameron Chisholm Nicol worked closely with the client to design a personalised office space on Level 3, a café, additional office tenancies, amenities, and a basement EOT facility. The design of the Interior is bold in colour but minimalistic in form with sculptural Corian® elements that anchor the meeting/social spaces. The client […]
Ethereal Marine: A Modern Design Fusion
Designing a living space that perfectly encapsulates a client’s passions and preferences can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavour. In this case, Georgia Langridge from Modi Design took on the task of creating a kitchen and living space for a client who had two distinct loves: marine biology and rimu timber. Instead of shying away […]
FY Smile
Anna Trefely and the team at Esoteriko sought to interpret a landscape within a clinical context for this dental practice. Sanctuary-like, and ‘minty fresh’, deeply influenced by a Japanese-flavoured aesthetic where human experience, nature and technology are combined. It hints at a natural world which has undergone a process of distillation and reinterpretation. Multiple opportunities […]
Black Rock House
This site is perched on one of the highest topographical locations along Beach Road. The brief was to design a house with strong connections to the bay in order to remind the owners of their passion for boating and enjoyment of cruise ship holidays. The building form is an island surrounded by open ‘green’ space. […]
Lovey Patisserie
The brief was unique, a palette dominated by white and pink that gives off a sleek & modern vibe. What made this an interesting project was to incorporate retail sections that features collectable items such as Bear Bricks, Takashi Murakami’s pop art, KAWS figurative vinyl toys and many more. The intention was to create an […]
Swanbourne Beach Residence
This beachside residence boasts uninterrupted coastal views from the kitchen. With this in mind, Humphrey Homes wanted to create beautiful natural hues throughout the kitchen and house to complement the natural environment on the home’s doorstep. Corian® Witch Hazel gave these lovely sandy, earthy hues to the kitchen. It worked with the natural textural palette […]
Wantirna Residential Aged Care
The Wantirna Aged Care Facility is a 120-bed development designed to improve resident privacy, dignity and independence whilst delivering best-practice care in a home-like environment. The facility supports a range of resident care needs and contemporary models of care to provide a dementia-friendly environment. The design aims to optimise physical and mental wellbeing through access […]
Coledale
Based in the Illawarra, Rachael Miklas Design and Detail is a trusted local interior design studio specialising in new construction and renovations in the local area. Rachael was entrusted with the design for Coledale, a new build right on the waterfront. The home lends itself to light and breezy atmosphere, where simplicity and cleverly thought […]
Seamless Style and Functionality: The Influence of Corian in Fostering Collaboration at Datacom’s Canberra Office
Nestled in the heart of Canberra, the Datacom office showcases a thoughtful approach to workplace design. Crafted by the creative minds at Leffler Simes Architects, this office space is geared towards promoting seamless communication and collaboration among colleagues. One key element in bringing this vision to life is the use of Corian, a versatile and […]
High School Laboratory Benches
Traditional materials for school laboratory surfaces seem to be taking a back seat as Corian®, comes to the forefront. Originally known for kitchen and bathroom applications, Corian® holds a robust appeal in the demanding environment of school laboratories. Three key attributes define Corian® as an ideal choice: durability, a non-porous nature, and simple maintenance. Not […]
The H2 Home Project Blends Contemporary Design with Seamless Curves and Tranquil Aesthetics
Rust Architecture Design, a leading design firm, has unveiled their latest masterpiece, the H2 Home project, situated on the stunning waterfront of Southeast Queensland. This contemporary two-level residence was meticulously crafted to embrace the region’s climate, capturing abundant daylight, refreshing breezes, and creating a serene sanctuary for its inhabitants. With a focus on livability and […]
Blending Nostalgia and Nutrition: Meet the Whimsical World of RAMBUTAN
The RAMBUTAN fruit studio, designed by the innovative Yaroslav Galant, is more than just a place to buy fresh produce; it’s an experience that marries the nostalgia of yesteryear with the contemporary love for wellness. The vintage style of RAMBUTAN sets the stage for a captivating club atmosphere, creating a haven for those who appreciate […]
Island Retreat
This island getaway renovation project blends practical high-end materials with sophisticated organic design techniques and the latest technologies to create an elegantly timeless and serene weekend escape for the client. The overall design brief for the project was to creatively transform the existing beach house into a very open and subdued glamorous island retreat that […]