The winners of the 2012 Staron^® Design Awards, Edition 2 have been announced across the three categories of Commercial, Residential and Concept. The competition was judged by former Indesign magazine editor Mandi Keighran, Stephen Varady of Kann Finch Group, and Amanda Stanaway of Woods Bagot.

Open to any designer, architect, developer, kitchen/bathroom designer, or student, the competition seeks to award outstanding applications of Staron^® Solid Surfaces in design projects.

Created by Samsung from bauxite and acrylic resin, Staron^® needs no finishing polishes or sealers. Its non-porous nature makes it the perfect material for benchtops, and even after years of use, it can be restored back to its original condition by sanding.

It has the remarkable property of being able to be thermoformed into any shape imaginable, lending itself naturally to flowing curves and geometric edges. Selected colours are also translucent, and can be backlit for beautiful luminescence.

Staron® Reception Desk by GMD Architectural Joinery / Holly Rickard for Watson Young Architects

The winner of the Commercial Category is GMD Architectural Joinery / Holly Rickard for Watson Young Architects. They used Staron®’s ability to form geometric edges to great effect, creating a multifaceted reception desk made entirely from Staron^® in the colour Sanded Icicle, with integrated Staron® shelving for document storage.

The front surface of the desk is angled so that the entire piece looks like it has been carved from rock – one smooth white boulder, as the Staron^® surface continues seamlessly and unbroken across the entire piece.

Staron® iCONICal Kitchen Bar by Eliza Rudkin of Lane Walker Rudkin

The winner of the Residential Category is Eliza Rudkin of Lane Walker Rudkin. She used Staron^® to create the iCONICal Kitchen Bar, which served as the centerpiece of her new kitchen design.

Staron® iCONICal Kitchen Bar by Eliza Rudkin of Lane Walker Rudkin

Staron^® is used to form a conical bar in the colour Mosaic Dalmatian. Its circular top is offset by the Wesley Harrop light fighting above, mirroring its shape.

Staron® iCONICal Kitchen Bar by Eliza Rudkin of Lane Walker Rudkin

Again, being constructed from thermoformed Staron^®, the iCONICal Kitchen Bar presents no open joins and so looks as though it has been hewn from one large smooth stone.

The winner of the final category, Concept, is Jaimie Klum, student of commercial interior design at the Billy Blue College of Design.

Staron® Kitchenette Unit by Jaimie Klum, student at Billy Blue College of Design

Her concept submission was for a kitchenette unit that, through the most minimal of designs, maximises a small space by serving all at once as benchtop, sink, shelf space, cupboard space and sink area.

Backlit Staron® Kitchenette Unit by Jaimie Klum, student at Billy Blue College of Design

Drawing on themes of purity and futurism, her work forms a single unbroken curved line, which, backlit with luminescent blue, is evocative of flowing water.

Backlit Staron® Kitchenette Unit by Jaimie Klum, student at Billy Blue College of Design

Congratulations to the winners. If you’re feeling inspired, the Staron^® Design Awards 2013 are now open for entries. Keep track at their Facebook page, and check IndesignLive for 2013 announcements.

Staron^® Solid Surfaces

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