We recently hosted an unforgettable trip to Brussels and Paris, bringing together designers, fabricators, and industry professionals from across Australia. The program offered a unique opportunity to network with peers in the solid surface industry while engaging directly with global Corian® experts at the Technology and Training Centre in Genk, Belgium.

Inside the Corian® Technology & Training Centre – Genk

Participants were welcomed into the centre, where the DuPont team generously opened their factory for a full day program. Attendees gained valuable insights into both established techniques and new innovations.

The sessions included:

• Thermoforming demonstrations – showcasing the creative potential of Corian® when shaped into organic curves and bold designs.
• Training Manual Workshops – focusing on practical topics such as repairs and base sinks, providing fabricators with direct skills to take back to their own workshops.

Shaping the Future

The visit also featured exclusive demonstrations of advanced machinery and processes already being implemented in overseas markets. These innovations are shaping the future of fabrication and design, sparking inspiration for how Corian® can continue to evolve and push creative boundaries sustainably.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW

Hospitality and Collaboration

To accommodate the large group, participants were divided into two groups, allowing for an interactive experience. A shared lunch at the facility gave everyone the chance to connect and reflect on the day’s learning.

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the DuPont team in Genk for their warm hospitality and commitment to sharing their knowledge. This experience highlighted the strength of being part of a global network that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and support across regions.

CASF proudly participated in the illumin-Arc Event held at the Heritage Wharf, Jones Bay. This event brought together designers, architects, and industry professionals to explore the latest innovations in architectural and interior solutions, with a focus on functional design, aesthetics, and material possibilities.

At the event, the CASF team showcased our latest products for public bathrooms and accessible facilities, demonstrating both design flexibility and practical solutions with solid surface.

Our two display stands highlighted CASF innovations:

Curva Washplane: Featuring thermoformed corners, the Curva Washplane display was designed to emulate a real public bathroom installation. The left side of the washplane was intentionally left open, allowing visitors to see how the waste and drainage system functions. The display was complemented with an illuminated Dolphin mirror and tap, offering a glimpse of how elegance and functionality can coexist in a public bathroom space.

VIEW PRODUCT

Care Wall Basin with Nook: Adapted from our PWD 800 design for aged care facilities, this vanity solution prioritises accessibility without compromising style. Wall-mounted to create open space beneath for wheelchair users, the basin’s hidden pipework within the shroud maintains a streamlined, clean appearance. The display featured a custom wooden cabinet and mirror, demonstrating how Corian® can be integrated into functional and visually appealing designs for people with disabilities or mobility challenges.

VIEW PRODUCT

A lightbox at the back of the CASF stand tied the display together, showcasing project images that highlighted the versatility and possibilities of Corian® in both public and accessible bathroom solutions.

ARC-Event Sydney Lucky Door Prize Winner

To add a touch of fun to the event, CASF hosted a lucky door prize: a personalised Toblerone bar containing a mixed variety of flavours; featuring Corian® branding. The winner was Amanda Oats, Health Sector Lead at Mode, who was presented with her chocolates by CASF representative Nicolle Murray.

Visit us at the Arc-Events VIC and QLD

CASF looks forward to connecting with more designers and industry professionals at upcoming Arc Events. If you’re in Victoria or Queensland, we would love to welcome you to our booth to explore these innovative design solutions in person.

The Arc-Event VIC 

Thursday, 9th October 2025
1 Hotel
9 Maritime Place, Docklands VIC 3008
6:00pm – 8:00pm

RSVP HERE

The Arc-Event QLD

Thursday, 30th October 2025
The Star
33 William Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
6:00pm – 8:00pm

RSVP HERE

The CASF Conference, held in Belgium and France from 1–6 September 2025, brought together up to 100 guests from across Australia, including designers, fabricators, and joinery companies. The week kicked off with our Welcome Event on September 1, set against the stunning backdrop of Grand Place, Brussels, where the 2024 Corian® Design Awards were officially presented by Ryan Clarke, CASF Australia’s National Sales Manager alongside the CASF directors, Luciano Corso and Craig Smith.

Residential Winner — La Casa Curvilínea

Image L-R: Luciano Corso, Teegan Doherty, Tyson Doherty, Justin Blood, Sean Blood, Ryan Clarke and Craig Smith.

The Residential Design Award was awarded to Teegan and Tyson Doherty of Doherty Building Group for their striking project La Casa Curvilínea. This Mediterranean-inspired family home makes bold use of flowing forms and seamless surfaces, brought to life through Corian®.

View Project here

In his acceptance speech, Tyson Doherty said:

“We’re very grateful to be here, thanks to Sean and his team at Newgrove for all the help that they did to bring the project to life. Obviously, Corian® was the material we chose because of the flexibility and the beauty that it brought to the project so we’re very lucky to be able to use it.”

Fabrication was completed by Newgrove Benchtops, a trusted Corian® partner since 2008. Owner Sean Blood highlighted the skills of their lead fabricator, Justin:

“I do take the glory sometimes but this is the guy that does all the fabrication at Newgrove. He is very talented when it comes to thermoforming.”

Justin Blood in turn thanked Teegan and Tyson for trusting him with their vision.

Commercial Winner — T2 Heinemann Project, Sydney Airport

Image L-R: Luciano Corso, Christopher Smith, Ryan Clarke, Craig Smith, Rudi Tan and Shane Simpson.

The Commercial Design Award went to Christopher Smith of Greater Group for the T2 Heinemann Project at Sydney Airport Terminals 2 and 3. The project transformed the airport’s retail spaces into an immersive shopping experience, with thermoformed Corian® at the heart of its elegant curves and sculptural displays.

View Project here

Christopher described the importance of Corian® to the project:

“As a designer you get to dream a lot of magical shapes and fantastic things and often they can’t be built. Corian® is one of the few products that you can create exciting shapes with — and you need a great fabricator [to execute the design].”

He acknowledged S&A Simpson, the project fabricator, for their craftsmanship. S&A Simpson have been a trusted Corian® partner since 2011. While they were unable to attend the event in Brussels, CASF representative Rudi Tan presented the trophy to Shane Simpson of S&A Simpson earlier in Australia.

The Trophy

The designers and fabricators each received custom-made trophies designed by Mark Gacsea and crafted from Corian® Solid Surface, featuring a fluted texture to echo the elegance and versatility of the material. The trophies symbolise not just design achievement but the tactile beauty and creative possibilities of Corian®, making them a perfect memento for the projects’ innovation and craftsmanship.

The Prize & the Journey

Design winners received flights, accommodation in Brussels and Paris, and participation in all conference experiences, making the prize both a celebration and an unforgettable journey.

Beyond the awards night, the conference offered guests cultural exploration, design inspiration, product education, and the chance to connect with peers who share a passion for Corian® Solid Surface. These trips are designed not only to celebrate design excellence but also to foster collaboration, spark new ideas, and strengthen our community.

Looking Ahead

The Corian® Design Awards celebrate the power of collaboration between designers, builders, joiners, and fabricators, showcasing what can be achieved when vision meets the versatility of Corian®.

Congratulations again to our winners — Doherty Building Group and Greater Group — and to their fabricators, Newgrove Benchtops and S&A Simpson.

Entries are still open for Edition 2 of the 2025 Corian® Design Awards, which closes on 31 October 2025. We encourage designers, fabricators, and builders to submit their projects and join us in celebrating the next wave of innovation.

ENTER THE CORIAN® DESIGN AWARDS

We are delighted to introduce the judging panel for the 2025 Corian® Design Awards. With Edition 2 open for submissions until October 31st, it’s the perfect time to highlight the outstanding industry leaders who will be reviewing and recognising this year’s most innovative designs.

Bringing together a wealth of expertise and creative vision, our judges represent a diverse cross-section of the design industry—each united by a commitment to excellence and a passion for pushing the boundaries of design.

The 2025 panel proudly features Lisa Hunt, Shirley Cooper, Nathan Wundersitz, Jessica Hersh, and Ingrid Kelly.

	Lisa Hunt DIRECTOR SPH ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS
Lisa is an accomplished interior designer with over 20 years of experience, particularly within the specialised fields of health, mental health, and aged care. A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), she combines her extensive design expertise with proven leadership skills, reflecting her commitment to both creative excellence and strategic direction. Her career is defined by an ability to navigate complex projects while delivering outcomes that balance aesthetics, functionality, and care-focused environments. What distinguishes Lisa is her dedication to contemporary design principles and her collaborative ethos, built on a “listen first, then respond” approach. This mindset fosters strong partnerships between SPH’s design team, clients, and stakeholders, resulting in innovative, highly functional spaces. By blending creativity with precision and leadership, Lisa has established herself as both a respected designer and an influential voice in her industry.
“If you’re a designer aiming to enter the design awards, focus less on chasing the win and more on creating great design. Awards should be a byproduct of meaningful design, not the goal.”  – Lisa Hunt
	Shirley Cooper PRINCIPAL BALDASSO CORTESE
With more than 20 years of experience, Shirley has built her career as a dedicated interior designer across a wide range of project typologies. She is known for developing strong and purposeful interior solutions that align closely with each project brief, while ensuring that every space feels inviting and well-coordinated. Her ability to balance creativity with functionality allows her to deliver interiors that are not only visually striking but also deeply considered in their use. Shirley thrives in collaborative environments, working closely with clients, consultants, and architectural teams to bring concepts to life. Her strengths lie in her keen attention to detail, thoughtful material and finish selections, and hands-on involvement in all project phases. From concept development and presentations to user group sessions, meetings, and site visits, Shirley’s role ensures that design integrity is maintained at every stage, resulting in interiors that are both distinctive and enduring.
“My advice for designers wanting to enter is go for it! Remember, it can be bold, it can be beautiful, it can be understated, it can be creative, it can be restrained, it just has to capture your vision”. -Shirley Cooper
	Nathan Wundersitz FOUNDER SPACECRAFT JOINERY
Nathan’s design journey began in 1994 when he first stepped into a workshop as an apprentice. Those early years on the tools, mastering the intricacies of form and function, ignited a lifelong passion for design. In 2008, he founded SpaceCraft, creating a studio dedicated to delivering unique, one-of-a-kind interiors. His career is underpinned by a commitment to craftsmanship and personalisation, resulting in spaces that are as meaningful as they are beautiful. Over the years, Nathan has honed his expertise with a Certificate IV in Kitchen, Bathroom, and Interior Design, specialising in kitchen design. His ability to interpret each client’s lifestyle and aspirations sets him apart, ensuring every brief is brought to life with balance, proportion, scale, and colour. With more than 40 industry awards across KBDi, ACFA, and HIA programs, Nathan is widely recognised for his innovation and excellence. For him, design is not just about creating interiors—it’s about crafting spaces that feel uniquely personal. “If you’re thinking about entering design awards, sharing your work is one of the easiest ways to get your name out there —whether that’s with peers, the industry, or future clients. It’s also a great chance to see how your designs sit alongside others, giving you a bit of reassurance and some valuable self-reflection. Plus, the marketing upside can be huge—sometimes it’s the best kind of exposure you don’t have to chase.” – Nathan Wundersitz
	Jessica Hersch PRINCIPAL LIIFE ARCHITECTURE
Jessica Hersch is the Director of Liife Architecture, a Brisbane-based studio recognised for its work across hospitality, commercial, and residential projects. With more than 15 years of experience, she approaches design with a balance of creativity, strategy, and collaboration. Her portfolio includes clubs, hotels, bars, and boutique residences, each shaped by her commitment to placemaking, sustainability, and future-focused solutions. As both a designer and leader, Jessica brings warmth and clarity to the design process, ensuring every project is both visionary and practical. Her ability to navigate materiality and detail allows her to deliver spaces that are not only visually engaging but also enduring and functional. In her role as a judge, she draws on her industry expertise and passion for meaningful design to recognise projects that elevate both everyday life and business.
“If your project made a space feel more welcoming, more meaningful, more joyful — it’s worth sharing. Your work adds value, even if it doesn’t shout.” – Jessica Hersch
	Ingrid Kelly ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR COX ARCHITECTURE
Ingrid Kelly leads the Interior Team at COX Architecture and brings more than 25 years of experience as a highly accomplished interior designer. Her portfolio spans a diverse range of sectors including workplace, education, hospitality, retail, and public spaces. This breadth of experience allows her to draw on a rich cross-pollination of design strategies, applying insights from one sector to strengthen and inspire solutions in another. Passionate about design in all its forms, Ingrid is dedicated to ensuring every project meets client needs both functionally and aesthetically. She places strong value on the design process itself, recognising that each stage plays a critical role in achieving successful outcomes. Her leadership is defined by a commitment to collaboration, creativity, and precision, resulting in interiors that are thoughtful, engaging, and enduring. “Great interiors don’t just look good – they tell a story. Don’t be afraid to submit a space that challenges norms, evokes emotion, or reflects bold individuality, not just a trend” – Ingrid Kelly

ENTER THE CORIAN® DESIGN AWARDS