Dupont Corian surfaces make up conceptual 'lounge'

Dupont has announced that 'Corian super-surfaces', a striking installation by Amanda Levete_Architects (AL_A) first shown in Milan, will be on display at the Londonewcastle Project Space in London.

The event will run from 19 September to 4 October 2009.

Via the form of a conceptual 'lounge' environment designed with advanced digital technologies, created with fabrication techniques and combined with visual effects, AL_A reveals the nature of Dupont Corian, a non-porous solid-surface material.

Amanda Levete said: 'The lounge is a loosely defined architectural concept about a space that is animated by the movement of people in transit.

'A drop of water creating a series of ripples became our metaphor for transforming space through movement.

'Just as the ripple causes intricate moire patterns in water, the lounge installation created from Dupont Corian is about revealing the moment of change through visual complexity.

'With the repetition of identical elements that have been physically transformed, a frozen moment is captured through a sequence of dynamic surfaces creating kinetic visual effects,' she added.

The surface transformations conceived by AL_A are claimed to push beyond the technical possibilities of Dupont Corian by exploiting its pliability and using the twisted geometry of the sheets to bring structural integrity.

Advanced digital technology was used as part of the process for generating the design as well as for fabricating the installation.

The lighting is designed to emphasise the voids and the visual movement of the piece.

The installation is a walk-through environment and is characterised by individually thermoformed strips of Dupont Corian that rise from the floor to take unique sculptural shapes.

The key features - all made with Dupont Corian - include an undulating 'dividing' wall with articulated seating, bathroom and kitchen environments and display shelving.

While each structure is self supporting and aesthetically complete, with or without illumination, the effects created by integrated light-emitting-diode (LED) backlighting are key to the altered perceptions offered when moving around the space.

Integrated and localised audio effects are claimed to enable Dupont Corian to act like a speaker and subtly change as a progression through the space is made.

Working closely with the technical and fabrication teams for Dupont Corian, AL_A has developed advanced and efficient solutions for producing the sequential curving formations of the material, opening up further possibilities for designing with this high-performance material.

Londonewcastle is a contemporary property company whose specialisation is developing and creating living environments and apartments for London's creative communities.

The Londonewcastle Project Space sits on the existing site of the Huntingdon Estate in Shoreditch.

The former warehouse has been transformed by Londonewcastle into a useable project space.

Dupont Corian is used in a range of applications in hospitality, healthcare, catering, public spaces, retail, home furnishing, furniture, lighting and decorative objects.

It is a non-porous solid-surface material that is stain resistant, easy to clean, durable, renewable and repairable.

Available in about 100 standard colours, Dupont Corian solid surfaces can be shaped into virtually any conceivable design.

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