CREA Diffusion Takes “Best in Show

The winners of the International Surface Fabricators Association’s 2011 Innovations in Design Contest are in, and the projects really show just what is possible in the world of surfaces.      
 
The breadth and depth of creativity and craftsmanship demonstrated by the projects in this year’s contest was quite impressive. Fabricators got the opportunity to show their creativity, artisanship and engineering skill using any of a number of products.

The categories for 2011 were:

• Commercial /Institutional
• Green Applications
• Residential Bath
• Residential Kitchen
• Freestyle/Art
• On-Site Fabrication

Criteria for selecting winners were based on the overall impression of the project, aesthetic appeal, attention to detail and inventive use of materials.
 

Winner Commercial/Institutional
(and Best in Show)

Project Name: Art Gallery

Artist Name: Noé Duchaufour

Company/Sponsor: Neonata/Crea Diffusion

Project Description: The art gallery that hosts this installation is located in the famous and historical Le Marais district in Paris, long the aristocratic district that is home to many outstanding architectural buildings. It was commissioned by Beatrice St. Laurent and designed by Noé Duchaufour Lawrence.

The art gallery layout was fabricated in DuPont Corian Glacier white and inspired by the idea of a big wave arriving by the floor, splashing on the wall and going up to the ceiling

The layout was fabricated in DuPont Corian Glacier white and inspired by the idea of a big wave arriving by the floor, splashing on the wall and going up to the ceiling.

The frame was difficult to make, because the designer didn’t want any space between the new and the old ceiling. The front step was also very difficult to do too, because the designer wanted a finished angle, which required CREA Diffusion to work with a massive thermoforming process.

This project was also awarded ‘Best in Show.

 

Winner Green Applications

Project Name: Tampa Bay Crystal Top Kitchen

Artist Name: Gene McDonald

Company/Sponsor: Refresh Interiors

Project Description: The high bar is made of a mix of polyester resin with ultra-violet inhibitor. This top was designed to make use of the customer’s tile, and is also backlit. The lower work counter is Vetrazzo Cubist Clear (made from recycled windshields). The high bar is chiseled to give it an ice-like look. The high bar is made from Tampa Bay Crystal Top.

This intricate countertop was designed to make use of the customer’s tile and resourcefully uses recycled windshields      It is made of a mix of polyester resin with ultraviolet inhibitor

The countertop is also backlit

 

Winner Residential Bath

Project Name: Moss Basin

Artist Name: Marike Andeweg

Company/Sponsor: Not Only White

Submitted by: Rosskopf & Partner AG

Project Description: The Moss design basin is inspired by the iconic chesterfield sofa. The inverted curves contrasting with the surrounding straight lines make the Moss basin a truly unique and intriguing design. The basin is made of solid surface material and was created in wall-mounted and top-mounted versions.

The Moss design basin is inspired by the iconic chesterfield sofa

 

Winner Residential Kitchen

Project Name: Black & Gold

Artist Name: Intoto, Exeter

Company/Sponsor: Interfab Ltd.

Project Description: “Black & Gold” is a stunning residential kitchen designed by Intoto Kitchens, Exeter, U.K. The client’s demanding color criteria resulted in these striking split color worktops fabricated by Interfab Ltd., using DuPont Lava Rock and Aztec Gold Corian, perfectly complemented with a Lava Rock Mixa sink.

The striking split color worktops fabricated by Interfab Ltd., using DuPont Lava Rock and Aztec Gold Corian     The striking split color worktops fabricated by Interfab Ltd., using DuPont Lava Rock and Aztec Gold Corian

 

Winner Freestyle/Art

Project Name: World Globe

Artist Name: Bertron Schwarz Frey GMBH in cooperation with a-ll-r-a

Company/Sponsor: World Heritage Visitor Center

Submitted by: Rosskopf & Partner AG

Project Description: The globe is virtually self-supporting, just a prop in the middle serves to stabilize. Lighting is provided by LEDs. Rosskopf & Partner AG achieved the darker area by taping off the landscapes with a special film. The challenge of the world globe lay in the outlines of the countries in both the graphical work and in the field of milling. The globe was composed of several segments, glued and sanded. The contours were milled only after forming with a 5-axis CNC machine.

The globe is virtually self-supporting, with just a prop in the middle serves to stabilize and is composed of several segments, glued and sanded     The globe is virtually self-supporting, with just a prop in the middle serves to stabilize and is composed of several segments, glued and sanded

 

Winner On-Site Vanity Fabrication

Artist Name: Kirk Olsen

Company/Sponsor: Envision Concrete

Project Description: Unlike the other winners in the competition, the On-site Vanity Award was for a product created in front of an audience over two days at the International Countertop Expo (ICE). Kirk Olsen and his team from Envision Concrete put in hours at the show to create this one-of-a-kind concrete vanity.

Kirk Olsen and his team from Envision Concrete put in several hours (over two days) at the show to create this one-of-a-kind concrete vanity right in front of an audience, at the International Countertop Expo (ICE)

 

About ISFA

The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to helping its members become more profitable through education, fostering professionalism and promoting the countertop industry.