Ukrainian agent Fakura UA recently sponsored ID. Interior Design magazine’s Great Gatsby Style Party at Villa Verde in Kiev. The event marked the annual Architect’s Day in the country and attracted over 300 designers and architects.
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Great Gatsby Style Party
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Ductal for the New Generation - part II
Ductal® Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) was specified for use as external cladding panels at the TNG (The New Generation) new-build youth centre in the London borough of Lewisham. 175m2 of custom-made Ductal® corrugated panels were created to match the Plexiglas rainscreen cladding. The centre was opened last month by Lewisham mayor Sir Steve Bullock.
Developed by Lafarge, Ductal® UHPC possesses a unique combination of superior properties including strength, ductility, durability and enhanced aesthetics. This enables designers to develop and realize new sculptural approaches to concrete forms. Armourcoat hold the first sublicense to manufacture Ductal® precast elements in the UK.
Architecture: RCKa Architects
Contractor: Mansell
Photographer: Ioana Marinescu
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Developed by Lafarge, Ductal® UHPC possesses a unique combination of superior properties including strength, ductility, durability and enhanced aesthetics. This enables designers to develop and realize new sculptural approaches to concrete forms. Armourcoat hold the first sublicense to manufacture Ductal® precast elements in the UK.
Architecture: RCKa Architects
Contractor: Mansell
Photographer: Ioana Marinescu
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DDi advert, September
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Greenbuild 2013
Armourcoat will be exhibiting at Greenbuild 2013 in Philadelphia - the world's largest conference and expo dedicated to green building – in conjunction with the UK Trade & Investment (20-21 November, booth #2713). UKTI is the Government department that helps UK companies succeed in the global economy, enabling them to be competitive on the world stage.
Greenbuild brings together industry leaders, experts and frontline professionals dedicated to sustainable building. Greenbuild features three days of networking opportunities, industry showcases, LEED workshops and inspiring speakers. Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will kick off Greenbuild 2013 as Opening Plenary Keynote Speaker.
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Greenbuild brings together industry leaders, experts and frontline professionals dedicated to sustainable building. Greenbuild features three days of networking opportunities, industry showcases, LEED workshops and inspiring speakers. Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will kick off Greenbuild 2013 as Opening Plenary Keynote Speaker.
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Corinthia Nevskij Palace Hotel, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Armourcoat stone-cast panels in an Art Deco style have been specified for the five-star Corinthia Nevskij Palace Hotel, in Saint-Petersburg, Russia.
Part of an impressive new mixed development project by architect Aukett Fitzroy Robinson, the Corinthia Nevskij Palace Hotel is the result of the renovation of two historic 19th century buildings in the heart of Saint-Petersburg. Retaining its classic facade, the hotel interior has been completely rebuilt offering a fine blend of Art Deco style and modern facilities. The property includes the 400 room hotel, together with 17,000m² of retail and office space.
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Timber and Tyres
With effects ranging from natural wooden planks with an exposed grain detail to urban tyre treads, ArmourFX® cast panels are designed for decorative wall cladding – ideal for interior theming and branding.
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Available in four standard colours and either textured or a smooth finish, cast panels can also be custom colour and finish matched. The panels are tough and durable, cast from a polymer modified gypsum mix with post-consumer recycled material. When ready, the panels are delivered direct from a single source workshop in custom-made packaging to ensure safe arrival on site. The panels are then simply applied directly to the wall using high-grade gypsum adhesive, and can be cut on-site as required.
Custom designs - such as 'tyre-tread' panels (pictured below), can be created for a particular client or project. Visit www.armourfx.com for more information.
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Available in four standard colours and either textured or a smooth finish, cast panels can also be custom colour and finish matched. The panels are tough and durable, cast from a polymer modified gypsum mix with post-consumer recycled material. When ready, the panels are delivered direct from a single source workshop in custom-made packaging to ensure safe arrival on site. The panels are then simply applied directly to the wall using high-grade gypsum adhesive, and can be cut on-site as required.
Custom designs - such as 'tyre-tread' panels (pictured below), can be created for a particular client or project. Visit www.armourfx.com for more information.
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Big 5 Construct India
Armourcoat and Globecoat exhibited at The Big 5 Construct India expo in Mumbai last week. The showcase stand attracted huge numbers of interested architects and designers – together with potential partners working with the brands in India. Armourcoat CEO Guy Whitehead commented "We exhibited at the Big 5 Construct India event this year, having worked with dmg events at Index Dubai for ten years. The new event in Mumbai coincided with a relaunch of the Armourcoat brand in India, as we are working with our regional partner Globecoat to develop the Indian market. This was a great opportunity to present our high-end decorative surface products to a very receptive market - the timing couldn't have been better".
As part of Armourcoat's global expansion programme, we are now seeking agents across India. Call Globecoat on +971 4 2858603 or email info@globecoat.ae for further information.
Pictured: Tina Ambani, wife of Anil Ambani - chairman of Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group and member of India's wealthiest family, pictured on the Armourcoat stand at Big 5 Construct India with CEO Guy Whitehead.
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Armourcoat at new Brunner showroom
Armourcoat decorative plaster finishes feature within the new Brunner showroom in Clerkenwell, London.
Brunner UK Ltd, UK subsidiary of the leading German contract office furniture manufacturer, relocated from nearby Old Street to the more spacious former Victorian warehouse on Rosebery Avenue. Designated as a ‘light industrial heritage’ building within the local council’s conservation area, the warehouse retains many of its original features including Critall iron window frames, brick façade, loading bays and wall cranes.
The Armourcoat 'KonCrete' finish has been used extensively on the first floor of the showroom. A hand-applied plaster wall finish, 'KonCrete' offers a wealth of surface options to achieve a distinctive industrial look. In addition a large selection of both standard and custom plaster finishes are included with Brunner’s ‘designer’s resource’ – a custom-designed feature area – to explore the full potential of Armourcoat surface finishes.
David Shirley, Managing Director of Brunner UK Ltd, commented “We’re delighted to work with Armourcoat to bring modern decorative elements to our new showroom. Retaining traditional artisan application skills, Armourcoat plaster finishes are a great complement to our high-end products.”
The new Brunner showroom - which opens next month - is conveniently located close to Farringdon and Angel underground stations. For further information please visit www.brunner-group.com.
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Ductal Concrete Innovation
Join us at the Building Centre in London on October 23rd at 6.00pm for a ‘Concrete Innovations’ Seminar. Guest speakers include RCKa architect Dieter Kleiner – responsible for the stunning Ductal®-clad TNG Youth Centre, and Romain Delpont product manager at Lafarge. The project was recently shortlisted for the 2013 New London Awards for best public building, and was a finalist for the inaugural prize for the concept design in 2011.
Developed by Lafarge, Ductal® UHPC possesses a unique combination of superior properties including strength, ductility, durability and enhanced aesthetics. This enables designers to develop and realize new sculptural approaches to concrete forms. Armourcoat hold the first sublicense to manufacture Ductal® precast elements in the UK.
The seminar is free to attend. For more information, visit www.buildingcentre.co.uk/events or call the Building Centre directly on 0207 692 6234.
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Developed by Lafarge, Ductal® UHPC possesses a unique combination of superior properties including strength, ductility, durability and enhanced aesthetics. This enables designers to develop and realize new sculptural approaches to concrete forms. Armourcoat hold the first sublicense to manufacture Ductal® precast elements in the UK.
The seminar is free to attend. For more information, visit www.buildingcentre.co.uk/events or call the Building Centre directly on 0207 692 6234.
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Armourcoat in Kenya
Armourcoat launched in Kenya last week - Crown Paints Kenya have been appointed agent for Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Rwanda and Burundi.
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Armourcoat Creative Director Duncan MacKellar visited Nairobi to meet with the application and sales teams and visited the new showroom at Muthithi Place in Westlands. The showroom features the latest innovations in paints and interior finishes. Pictured here with Crown Paints Kenya CEO Rakesh Rao.
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Armourcoat Creative Director Duncan MacKellar visited Nairobi to meet with the application and sales teams and visited the new showroom at Muthithi Place in Westlands. The showroom features the latest innovations in paints and interior finishes. Pictured here with Crown Paints Kenya CEO Rakesh Rao.
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High-end finishes key in Kenya
Crown Paints Kenya CEO Rakesh Rao speaking last week at the company’s launch party for Armourcoat commented “We are seeing in the market an increasing shift to high-end finishes to lend a superior feel to interior living spaces. Consumers especially in the middle and upper income segments are also looking beyond traditional coating solutions like paint to achieve a strong aesthetic appeal in their homes and offices”.
Crown Paints Kenya Ltd have been appointed agent for Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Rwanda and Burundi. “Our customers can now enjoy stunning interior finishes thanks to our association with Armourcoat.” concluded Rao.
Crown Paints Kenya CEO Rakesh Rao and team pictured with Armourcoat Creative Director Duncan MacKellar
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Crown Paints Kenya Ltd have been appointed agent for Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Rwanda and Burundi. “Our customers can now enjoy stunning interior finishes thanks to our association with Armourcoat.” concluded Rao.
Crown Paints Kenya CEO Rakesh Rao and team pictured with Armourcoat Creative Director Duncan MacKellar
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Brunner Showroom
Armourcoat decorative plaster finishes feature within the new Brunner showroom in Clerkenwell, London. Brunner UK Ltd, UK subsidiary of the leading German contract office furniture manufacturer, relocated from nearby Old Street to the more spacious former Victorian warehouse on Rosebery Avenue in October.
The Armourcoat 'KonCrete' finish has been used extensively on the first floor of the showroom. A hand-applied plaster wall finish, 'KonCrete' offers a wealth of surface options to achieve a distinctive industrial look. In addition a large selection of both standard and custom plaster finishes are included with Brunner’s ‘designer’s resource’ – a custom-designed feature area – to explore the full potential of Armourcoat surface finishes.
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David Shirley, Managing Director of Brunner UK Ltd, commented “We’re delighted to work with Armourcoat to bring modern decorative elements to our new showroom. Retaining traditional artisan application skills, Armourcoat plaster finishes are a great complement to our high-end products.”
The new Brunner showroom is conveniently located close to Farringdon and Angel underground stations. For further information please visit www.brunner-group.com.
The Armourcoat 'KonCrete' finish has been used extensively on the first floor of the showroom. A hand-applied plaster wall finish, 'KonCrete' offers a wealth of surface options to achieve a distinctive industrial look. In addition a large selection of both standard and custom plaster finishes are included with Brunner’s ‘designer’s resource’ – a custom-designed feature area – to explore the full potential of Armourcoat surface finishes.
David Shirley, Managing Director of Brunner UK Ltd, commented “We’re delighted to work with Armourcoat to bring modern decorative elements to our new showroom. Retaining traditional artisan application skills, Armourcoat plaster finishes are a great complement to our high-end products.”
The new Brunner showroom is conveniently located close to Farringdon and Angel underground stations. For further information please visit www.brunner-group.com.
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Super Brands London (SBL) 2014
I'm pleased to announce our participation at Super Brands London (SBL) 2014, one of the most prominent design trade shows taking place during the London Design Festival each September. Now in its eighth year at the Old Truman Brewery, SBL is regarded as the most progressive trade exhibition internationally and a must attend event for those who need to stay ahead in the world of design.
Cutting edge design is central to development at Armourcoat, and with some ground-breaking new products to be launched exclusively at SBL in 2014, we're really excited to be joining the show at such an important time. Visit Armourcoat at stand 35, 18-21 September 2014 (Old Truman Brewery, Hanbury Street, London E1 6QR).
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Cutting edge design is central to development at Armourcoat, and with some ground-breaking new products to be launched exclusively at SBL in 2014, we're really excited to be joining the show at such an important time. Visit Armourcoat at stand 35, 18-21 September 2014 (Old Truman Brewery, Hanbury Street, London E1 6QR).
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GreenBuild 2013 Philadelphia
I joined a UK Trade & Investment-led delegation to the annual Greenbuild Conference and Expo in Philadelphia last week. The delegate companies represented the UK’s diverse set of capabilities and services in sustainable building practices ranging from innovative products and building materials to energy efficiency and overall consumption and waste reduction services.
In addition to Armourcoat, the UK delegation included IOBAC, BMPR Offsite Consultancy Services, Conport Structures, Ergohome, MagmaTech, Origin Frames, Riva Global, and Unic International.
The event was very well attended, and expertly managed by USGBC - with a closing celebration with Hilary Clinton and Jon Bon Jovi!
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ArmourFX ad campaign 2014
Sneak peek of our new ArmourFX ad campaign for the New Year.
The image is from the recently completed '50 Post Office Square' development in Boston by Elkus Manfredi Architects, with a really cool white Spatulata finish. Designed, Detailed, Delivered!
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The image is from the recently completed '50 Post Office Square' development in Boston by Elkus Manfredi Architects, with a really cool white Spatulata finish. Designed, Detailed, Delivered!
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Armourcoat at 30
Armourcoat celebrates 30 years in 2014! It's been a great journey so far and we've made a lot of friends along the way. Next year sees the launch of more ground-breaking decorative products, watch this space!
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Decorex London 2004 - left to right: Spencer Drake, blogger, Guy Whitehead, Duncan MacKellar, Shawn Tweedy
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Mosbuild Russia 2009 - left to right: blogger, Guy Whitehead, Shawn Tweedy
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That's a wrap!
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Design Shanghai
Billed as Shanghai's first truly international design event, Media 10's inaugural Design Shanghai attracted over 40,000 visitors last week. Held at the city's historic exhibition centre, close to fashionable Nanjing Road, Armourcoat's booth received an enthusiastic reception. The company's Creative Director Duncan MacKellar and Marketing Director Daniel Nevitt were joined by Lilian Leung and Eddie Lui of Hong Kong based agent Lezard Surface Finishes.
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Polished Plaster Jargon-Buster
Our first blog entry this month for Sarah Beeny At Home website;
"If you’re looking for an original decorative option for your home, beyond the obvious choices of wallpaper, vinyl wall coverings, traditional paint or even tiles, consider Italian plaster wall finishes.
More commonly called ‘polished plaster’, other terminology used also points to the origins of some of the finishes, such as ‘Venetian plaster’ or ‘Stucco Veneziano’. The term also – confusingly – describes matt textured plaster finishes which recreate natural stone. In truth, these plaster finishes can be used to create a wide range of decorative effects, either standard or custom, to suit your contemporary or traditional interior style.
Whilst advanced manufacturing and application techniques have modernized the process, polished plaster has been used as a decorative finish for thousands of years. First used by the ancient Egyptians, then improved by the Romans, it was later rediscovered by architects in seventeenth century Venice. More recently, Italian architect Carlo Scarpa created a second revival in the fifties. Today the finish has gained popularity as an environmentally friendly product – with the use of recycled marble and its long life span.
Modern polished plaster recipes usually consist of slaked or hydrated lime and marble powder. Larger marble chips are then added to create textured finishes. The powdered or paste material is tinted on site and applied by specialists with a spatula or trowel in thin layers typically to walls and ceilings. Techniques have also been developed to apply seamlessly to columns, corbels and curved walls.
Polished plaster finishes are ideal for all rooms in the home, providing a natural, hard-wearing and original design statement."
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Duncan MacKellar Signature Collection
I'm delighted to announce the launch of the Duncan MacKellar Signature Collection of exclusive polished plaster wall finishes. Devised by Armourcoat founder Duncan MacKellar, the Signature finishes reflect his unique creativity and passion, with an expert understanding of decorative plaster techniques. The launch also commemorates the pinnacle of the Armourcoat business at its 30 year anniversary.
The Signature Collection comprises of four new polished plaster finishes; Biellese, Calabresi, Nebrodi, Volsini – inspired by an Italian heritage and Duncan’s artistic interpretation of natural forms and surface effects. These artisan finishes represent the highest level of product mastery, redefining the technique and underlining Armourcoat’s lead role in the industry. Creating rich, opulent and luxurious interiors, each Signature polished plaster finish is presented in a unique colour hand selected by Duncan to complement the design.
Commenting on the launch, Duncan MacKellar remarked; “It’s an honour to celebrate the company’s longevity with a signature range, these finishes capture the essence of the Armourcoat brand; quality finishes, artisan application. I’m proud to put my name to the collection.”
“I felt it fitting to commemorate our 30 years in the business in some way – reflecting on our past, but with a real vision of the future through contemporary interior design. The launch also responds to design trends we’ve witnessed internationally through our agent network and global clients. Ultra luxury finishes are a growing interest and we’re showcasing the capability of the material and our workmanship.”
The Duncan MacKellar Signature Collection will be officially launched in the UK at DX (Design Excellence), part of the May Design Series, ExCeL, London (stand K30, 18-20 May). The finishes can also be viewed at the new Brunner showroom at 62-68 Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell. To book an appointment, further information and samples, please visit www.signature.armourcoat.com or email signature@armourcoat.co.uk.
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