Ahead of The Curve – Exploring The Potential of Laminex Laminate
When it comes to creating organic forms and tactile curves, Laminex is a material that is increasingly being embraced by architects and interior designers – as seen in recent work by Kennedy Nolan and CJH Studio. Combining the freedom to create an array of beautiful curves with a host of other benefits, Laminex laminate is a tried-and-tested product that nevertheless continues to surprise with its versatility.
It was the material qualities of Laminex laminate and the ease with which it can be formed and cut into curves that Kennedy Nolan drew upon when designing the concept for the Expansive Kitchen, a beguiling space that is at once soothing and daring. These are characteristics that the studio has explored in the past, most notably in the kitchen of the Oak Tree House project, where Laminex laminate in Olympia Blue was cut into geometric shapes and inset into cupboard doors. The Expansive Kitchen took the architects’ interest in the material to another level, however, exploring not only cutting but the potential of cold-forming Laminex to create generous, unexpected curves.
Suitable for curves of a minimum 150mm radius, cold-forming sees a curved substrate fabricated and the laminate adhered directly to the surface. This is the technique that was used to create the convex base of the island bench, the cylindrical range hoods and gently curved splashback in the Expansive Kitchen. Where curves were used two-dimensionally, as in the distinctive scalloped edge of the cupboard doors and the hourglass graphic pattern in the surface of the island benchtop, the potential for creating shapes by cutting laminate was fulfilled. In the case of the benchtop, two shades (Laminex French Cream and Paperbark) were carefully cut and inset to create one ‘supergraphic’, while the Paperbark cupboard doors were simply cut and edged with matching high-pressure laminate.
CJH Studio’s Penthouse M is another project that is takes inspiration from the curved forms made possible by Laminex laminate. Curved joinery in the kitchen, living space and bathrooms is key to the understated luxury that Penthouse M exudes, which is heightened by the natural tone of the Laminex Raw Cotton that creates a soft and subtly tactile effect. The natural palette and organic forms used throughout the project harmonise to elevate the understated coastal aesthetic of the interiors to create spaces that are timeless and nurturing.
Both projects see Kennedy Nolan and CJH Studio explore the potential of Laminex laminate to create curves, draw on the natural tones of the Laminex Colour Collection and benefit from the other advantages of durability, stain and fade resistance, and cost-effectiveness that Laminex offers. Each design, however, is utterly distinctive – indicative of the adaptability of Laminex and the material’s ability to respond to an architect or designer’s unique vision.
To learn more about designing curves with Laminex laminate, click here.
It was the material qualities of Laminex laminate and the ease with which it can be formed and cut into curves that Kennedy Nolan drew upon when designing the concept for the Expansive Kitchen.
