Fly Forbo 2010 winner announced

The winning project, Le Fringe hair dressing salon.

A brightly coloured, rainbow cocoon of Forbo Marmoleum has attracted the Fly Forbo Award 2010 for Giant Design Consultants of Crows Nest, New South Wales.

Their winning project, Le Fringe hair dressing salon, was designed as a bold statement to the start of the kids precinct at Westfield, Bondi Junction. It features exoskeleton ribs in spectrum shades of Marmoleum interspersed with dark bands, which bring out the colours and allow views to the interior. Every surface of interior and exterior walls, floor and ceiling is faced in Marmoleum and continues to integrate with a fully covered rear bench seat to the rear of the store. The mirrored rear wall plays with the perspective of the room and the banding of colours.

“The Fly Forbo Award competition is about recognising outstanding use of Forbo products in design innovation, and we couldn’t go past Giant Design for its unique wrap-around, almost tunnel effect created with vibrant shades of Marmoleum,” said Wayne Donovan, managing director of Forbo Flooring Systems, Australia/New Zealand.

Judging panel member Cameron Bruhn added “We were impressed with the way in which the material, Marmoleum, has been used to achieve a bold, graphic identity for the salon within the very visually busy retail environment. It really stands out and reinforces the vibrant, creative atmosphere within.”

Principal, Ed Kenny, said the sustainability aspect of Marmoleum was an added bonus. "We had an open brief and wanted to use as much of the available height as possible. Ideally we'd use just one product that would be really durable and could be used on walls, floors, shop front and ceiling.”

“Marmoleum is a finished product that you don’t need to do anything else with. There’s a huge spectrum of colours which allowed us to play with graduations of colour. It’s great for designers!”

Children’s Ward Five of St Margaret’s Children’s Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, attracted the runner up prize for Bollig Design Group, which used Effect, Marmoleum and Step in a particularly clever manner.

Bright, simplistic icons for easy recollection have been Aquajet-cut and set into the floor. The full set appears as a legend at the reception area, then individual icons are repeated at the entry to the relevant treatment room or other destination.

Giant Design wins a trip for two to Europe plus $1500 spending money, a visit to 100% design in London and a stop at Forbo’s Design Studios in Holland to meet the Forbo design team, leading consultants who have attracted many accolades including two prestigious Red Dot awards for product design and innovation.