The University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) has taken another step to cementing its place in the annals of Australian design history with the unveiling of its dramatic new Great Hall.

An institution famed more for its brutalist and maligned 27 storey tower, UTS has of late embraced a forward thinking approach to campus expansion and facility development – arguably serving penance for its four decades unchanged behind imposing concrete slabs at number one Broadway.

With the Great Hall wanting a much needed refurbishment, the Sydney design firm DRAW (De Manincor Russell Architecture Workshop) proposed that beyond the Great Hall brief, a vast lobby be incorporated into the scope of works.

a soaring reception space annexed to the Hall that capitalises on a commanding view across the future Alumni Green. The Balcony Room adapts a previously underused terrace, enclosing it to provide a link between the main building foyer and the rich, warm interior.

The project, now completed, is part of a broader, ongoing multi-million dollar redevelopment of the UTS City campus.  Additional faculty buildings and facilities are being designed by PTW, Denton Corker Marshall and Durbach Block Jaggers.  Perhaps as controversial as the original UTS Tower proposal, the big unveiling will be Frank Gehry’s new business faculty building… a development that when finally complete we’re sure will initiate much debate and heated discussion.

[Photography © Brett Boardman, all rights reserved]

In the interview above Renzo Piano reflects on the role of architecture in a city as a public building and cultural magnet referencing his time spent working on The Pompidou in Paris and “The Shard” in London.

Privacy and a sense of luxury often go hand-in-hand, so it stands to reason that with the prevalence of open-plan homes, wall-free workplaces and vast hospitality venues, we instintively seek to demarcate our own domain.

Designers are heeding the call and rising to the challenge by putting some back into it – literally.

Endeavouring to create miniature retreats within our homes, hotels and workplaces: designers are affording us greater variety in lounging options through the use of high backs and wrapped or winged arms.

Each of the collections pictured here is steeped with the afore mentioned sense of luxury – the pieces take on coccoon-like characteristics that are once is comfortable, sophisticated and intimate.

Oxygen Royal is a recently opened men’s health club offering health and well-being facilities in an upmarket precinct in Tehran.

Interior designer Amir Masoud Ghane, furnished the 1300 square meter site with a number of VONDOM’s collections including Faz, Moma, Vertex and Fiesta – most of which were specified with internal LED illumination

Being able to customise the hue and intensity of the feature pieces has afforded the club-owners versatilty and for the guests: a relaxing, ever-changing landscape within the relaxation and pool areas.

Ramon Esteve’s Faz Collection for Vondom is as diverse as it is versatile.

Taking in lighting, planters, lounging, tables and modular sofas – this short film showcases the outdoor range as a sleek, contemporary study in functionality.

Spain’s National Design Prize, the most prestigious design award handed down in Spain, has gone to Sellex.

The Government Minister for Industry and Innovation says the company won

because of more than 30 years of consistent quality and constant search for excellence’.

Jury members felt Sellex has been able to combine timeless elegance with affordability and usability.

KE-ZU has enjoyed an illustrious relationship with Sellex supplying products from the likes of Lievore, Altherr & Molina, Gemma Bernal and Burkhard Vogtherr.

To date Sellex furniture has been used in The Australian Family Courts, NSW Police Stations, The Scottish Parliament, London City Hall and many more high profile projects.

Introducing the Cabaret Collection from Kenneth Cobonpue: coming very soon.  Contemporary woven furniture for the indoors or the greates indulgence for lounging outdoors.

Click here to register your interest!

2012 is upon us and Sydney rang the new year in with a powerhouse creative display directed by Sydney born designer Marc Newson.

Click here to watch the midnight finale (the second of two displays in one evening)  - mind blowing!

Famed for his works for Ford, QANTAS, Nike, Alessi and many-many more, 2011/2012 NYE in Sydney saw his experience across interiors, spacecraft, products and furniture broadened to ignite a party atmosphere for over 1 million Sydneysiders on the Harbour foreshore as well as being televised to a global audience of 1.1 billion.

As creative director for the evenings firework and entertainment display, Newson drew on the theme of  ”Time To Dream”, harnessing the firepower of over $6million in pyrotechnics and a catalogue of australian music as a backing track – the results were phenomenal.

Australia was built upon dreams. From the dreamings of past millennia to the dreams of recent settlers. Whether day or night-time, dreams are our minds in free-flow, uninhibited and reflecting what we truly aspire to. From little babies to old people, we all dream. New Year’s Eve is when fantasy and aspirations flow. A vision for the coming year, with designs on a better life. The moonstruck and lovestruck may dream of fulfilment. The stargazers dream of the worlds beyond ours.

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For more information on any of the new products we launched this year (not all of which we could include!) please don’t hesitate to contact us.

KE-ZU will be closing the doors from Friday the 23rd of December, returning on January 9th 2012.

Our online Clearance Sale is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the holiday period.

We wish you all a very safe and happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year and thank you for your continued support and interest in KE-ZU.