Korda Mentha’s refurbished Brisbane head office has welcomed an addition to their listed heritage building, Wenley House.

Built in 1864, the Market St property is one of the few original developments remaining in Brisbane’s riverside precinct. It now showcases one of the most contemporary break-out spaces in the CBD.

Constructed using steel framing, timber decking and alucabond cladding, the rear deck is a stunning and modern extension. Spanning over the rear laneway, the semi-enclosed pod provides a strong architectural contrast with the heritage stonework of the original building. Abstract ottomans in bright orange provide seating for staff and clients in this outdoor break-out area.

Architect Paul Lynch’s vision was constructed and fitted by Quadric, while Blok Furniture provided design consultation and manufactured the angular seating benches using outdoor ply, reticulated foam and vinyl upholstery (Instyle Buzz).

Designer Richard Park has developed a reputation for crafting affordable, high quality Australian made products, available on reliable lead times nationwide. With a solid client base, an expanding range and a growing portfolio of custom projects for interiors designers and architects, Blok continues to provide innovative solutions for both commercial and residential environments.

Blok installed dynamic custom furniture for the 6th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT6) 5 December 2009 – 5 April 2010, Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art

APT6 includes the work of more than 100 artists from 25 countries which reflect the diversity of practices across Asia, the Pacific and Australia, and occupies the entire GoMA space as well as the Watermall and neighboring galleries at Queensland Art Gallery (QAG).

Blok was called on to manufacture and install a variety of pieces for Kids’ APT, including special art work tables to help young visitors engage with the works on display.

You can view, sit on and work at Blok furniture at the following exhibitions:

Thukral & Tagra
Hi! I am India 2009
Indian artists Jiten Thukral and Sumir Tagra have designed a Do It Yourself (DIY) activity project which is set in a spectacular environment in the Children’s Art Centre. The artists invite children to select from an array of custom-made stickers, designed to introduce children and their families to contemporary and traditional Indian visual culture. The sticker designs feature people, street scenes, vehicles and architecture. Using framed backgrounds designed by the artists, participants can create collages of daily life in India today for display.

Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan
In-flight (Project: Another Country) 2009
Brisbane-based artists Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan’s project for Kids’ APT, In-flight (Project: Another Country) 2009 asks everyone to make aeroplanes out of found materials. Using the recycled objects supplied, as well as off-cuts and twine, participants are able to construct aircraft within a dynamic activity space. Touching on themes of migration, family and memory, the recycled planes form a giant flock suspended from the ceiling of Gallery 3 in the Queensland Art Gallery.

Find out more here: http://qag.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/current/apt6/kids_apt

Blok was also approached to make the curved tables displaying
the stunning ceramic work of Bui Cong Khanh.
Find out more from the QAG website here.

cottee parker architects have recently delivered a $100m office/retail building using state of the art technology and innovative design. the ‘synergy’ office building is only 1.5 kilometres from the brisbane cbd in the thriving commercial-creative precinct of kelvin grove urban village, and has recently been awarded 5 star green star rating by the green building council of australia.

the team at cottee parker selected items from blok furniture’s range to add a splash of colour to the crisp, neutral fitout of synergy’s main foyer. using duo sofas and ottomans in kvadrat divina and halo side and coffee tables in beech veneer, this vibrant and contemporary arrangement pulls focus and provides public seating in the large space.

thank you cottee parker for inviting blok to contribute to this project.

read more about the duo here | read more about the halo here.

telstra’s multi-million dollar queensland headquarters were opened recently to great fanfare in brisbane. through this project a number of local businesses were engaged, including architects, landscape designers and furniture manufacturers like blok furniture.

the building features open plan seating, fewer offices, multiple meeting and breakout areas and open stairwells connecting floors. a key feature is the shared breakout facilities on level 4 which includes outdoor dining areas and a deck, bbq and kitchen facilities, landscaping and a comfortable lounge area for employees to gather informally.

blok furniture were contracted by pdt architects to supply a range of items for level 4 breakout areas. our blokout range, including sunni outdoor benches, tables and stools crafted in rosewood and the popular sola tables specified in brushed stainless steel and compact laminate, are featured prominently in both outdoor and indoor spaces. these australian designed and manufactured products were perfectly suited to the relaxed vision for level 4, and are complimented by intricate custom joinery and an inventive use of materials and finishes.

many thanks to pdt architects for the opportunity to work with you on this landmark project.

read more about the sunni here | read more about the sola here.

In preparation for the world-exclusive exhibition ‘American Impressionism and Realism: A Landmark Exhibition from the Met’ (weblink), which opened at the end of May, Qld Art Gallery staff have been flat-out refurbishing gallery spaces and public use areas, including the iconic Watermall Café.

Blok has designed, manufactured and installed a 5.3m banquette, upholstered in Elmo soft leather to complement existing furnishings.

Many thanks to Carolyne Jackson, Michael O’Sullivan and the interiors team for the opportunity to work with you again. We hope the Met show is huge success for QAG, and the banquette gets lots of use now and in the future.

In the past few months, Blok has been delighted to install a number of products at University of Qld and Griffith University.

Students and staff at UQ’s St Lucia campus are enjoying our mobis, bollos and lulus, while Griffith Uni’s Mt Gravatt and Qld Conservatorium of Music campuses are host to duo sofas, mimosa chairs and more lulu ottomans. In fact, Con students find the duo sofa so comfy it seems to be a favourite place for a nap between those Monday morning lectures… making it a bit difficult for Marni to take installation photos.

Thanks to Jan Achurch at Griffith, Elizabeth Reynolds and Kate McIlvride at UQ, Paul Jones at Design Nest and Cocoon for the orders, and we look forward to working with you again in the near future.

The team at Smith Madden and the guys at Quadric have recently finished the 250m2 Singapore Airlines Silver Kris lounge at Brisbane International Airport, where the $340 million terminal upgrade is now complete.

Richard designed a new armchair for the lounge, featuring solid American walnut and upholstered in Quad Dapple from Kvadrat Maharam.

We received so much positive feedback on the chair, we’ve decided to include it in our range. Welcome Bellini, and thank you to Smith Madden for the opportunity to contribute to the project.

Details on the Bellini can be found here.

Russell Armstrong’s new Brisbane CBD Restaurant has been refurbed with a taste of Blok. StudioPlus provided the interior design solutions and contracted Quadric to refit the dining area, previously named ‘Felix on Felix’. Blok manufactured a smart six metre banquette which provides seating for a series of tables along the back wall of the premises. Positive reviews for the Italian inspired cuisine and prompt, pleasant service have been posted online, and we look forward to sampling Barolo’s menu in the near future. Bon Appetit!

The King is long gone, but our popular Elvi range lives on, this time at Brisbane’s new and much improved Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Cox Rayner had the huge task of designing and specifying the exterior and interior, and Blok was called upon to provide quite a few pieces of public seating for various locations, including the food court and some relaxed breakout areas. Over 20 metres of freestanding Elvi banquettes were constructed and installed in custom-length sections, along with 22 custom bar stools and a collection of Kubric ottomans, upholstered in Laine Belllabode and Woven Images Knoll Alignment.

Congratulations to the team at Cox, and thank you to the PA Hospital – we look forward to working with you again.

International management consultancy firm Evans & Peck engaged Smith Madden Brisbane to provide a contemporary office design, and were inspired by the industrial feel of a cityscape.

Blok worked in conjunction with Smith Madden to provide functional pieces for the colourful and highly textured staff breakout area.

Extended sections of curved and straight banquette seating (upholstered in Maharam Repeat Classic Stripe) provided a challenge for Blok’s upholsterer, while curved galvanised steel planter boxes with stainless steel trim were designed and constructed to fit neatly behind the banquettes.

Also installed was a custom table whose organic form extended off a kitchen island bench, plus a series of two-pack drums. The fit-out was recently featured in Trends Commercial magazine.

Nice work, Smith Madden, and we trust Evans and Peck are enjoying their new space.

Photography courtesy of Porfyri Photography.