Cutting Edge Design Brought To The Table

Cutting Edge Design Brought To The Table With The Laminex Group

Formica laminates and Corian are brought to life in innovative table designs from Rigel Sorzano in a new exhibition at Auckland's Eon Design Centre. The curved "Glider" table and telephone table from contemporary furniture designer Sorzano, are part of a group show featuring the work of three Unitec School of Design graduates.

The show, called Alter Egos and starting August 27, also features work from jeweller Anna Whitley and furniture designer Andrew Babe. Babe last year was one of eight Unitec students commissioned by The Laminex Group to design installation artworks using both traditional and metallic finish laminates.

Rigel Sorzano says her table forms are designed to be configured in a number of different ways. The forms may be reversed, for example, with different laminates on each surface. "I wanted to highlight the importance of interaction between objects and people, by providing opportunities to alter the appearance of these pieces," Sorzano says. "The forms are simple, with a 1950s influence, and the use of the Formica designs The Laminex Group is now producing, reference that influence while also reflecting a contemporary approach to surfaces."

Sorzano has also designed a sleek telephone table using Corian, a solid surfacing material from Scott's. Sorzano chose Corian for its visual and surface qualities, and its ability to be thermo-formed into different shapes. "I was looking for a very smooth, continuous surface, and Corian provides this, while visually emphasising the simplicity of the form," she says.

Lianne Ning, Marketing Communications manager for The Laminex Group, says the company is committed to innovation and pushing the boundaries of design. "We have an extensive range of surfaces that really lend themselves to thinking outside the square," she says.

The Laminex Group manufactures, markets and distributes New Zealand's leading laminate brands including Formica, Laminex, Innovations, Fusion and DecoMetals. Other art and design projects it has been involved with include the commissioning of fashion jewellery for a silent charity auction at the NKBA (National Kitchen and Bathroom Association) conference in May, and the Unitec installation artworks project last year.

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