Hospitality Design

We’re really excited to be at HD, in its new home at Mandalay Bay Convention Center.   We'll be presenting our new custom-made decorative wall panel system, evolved from our renowned range of applied seamless wall finishes – ArmourFX.

Our team of specialist designers and artisan plasterers based in Las Vegas can work with clients to create integrated custom wall panel systems or design statement single artwork pieces.  We can even include corporate logos or themed colours and finish techniques.    Once finished, the panels are delivered direct from our single source workshop in custom-made foam packaging to ensure safe arrival on site.  As all modular systems, the panels can be hung and removed as required, with no specialist installation necessary.

We invite clients to visit us at the show at booth #5066, where we are demonstrating the use and application of ArmourFX in a hospitality setting. 

Register to the expo for FREE - click here;

 http://registration3.experientevent.com/showHDE131/default.aspx?Flowcode=ATT&SOURCE=HDGUEST 

Brazil Success

Our recent event in Sao Paulo was a tremendous success, and provided a wonderful opportunity to launch the Armourcoat brand and products into South America.  The Armourcoat/ Vitruvio Revestimentos booth #3050 even attracted the attention of local TV ‘TVunisantos channel 4’, with an interview by Claudio Martins with Marcia Barboza, owner of Vitruvio Revestimentos.

Creative use of stencils

Creative use of stencils can add a whole new dimension to Armourcoat surface finishes. Intricate, ornate designs or more geometric repeat patterns can be overlaid to create seamless wall effects, decorative borders or motifs with stunning effect. Background textured plaster finishes can form the background to highly polished Venetian plaster, providing a sophisticated and dramatic wall finish. ArmourColor architectural coatings can also be used in combination for a tough and durable finish option.

Vinyl stencils can also be used to create eye-catching company logos and more free-form wall branding. This can have the effect of intricately chiselled or carved stone for a permanent and enduring corporate look.

Creative Design Options
Whilst there are no fixed rules regarding which finishes should be used to create logo and stencil effects, certain combinations of finish give the best results, both in terms of the practicality of installation, and aesthetic merit.  In general we would recommend that the background layer is created in a textured plaster finish (Pitted, Travertine, Dragged) and the designs are finished in a finer and more polished finish such as Venetian plaster (Spatulata). Textured finishes contain larger marble granules and are therefore unsuitable for forming the raised part of a design. Spatulata, with micro-fine marble powder, provides a very clean and precise edge detail.

Colours and Lighting
The best looking stencil designs are often lit at an angle of incidence less than 15° so that a small drop shadow is created. The level of relief is determined by the choice of finish, but will generally be between 0.03”-0.10”.  To create a recessed stencil design set into the surface we can cut a ‘positive’ stencil. When the stencil is removed from the polished surface, the logo is recessed into the surface. A raised stencil design is also possible – using the reverse technique with a ‘negative’ stencil.  Choice of finish and color is important.  We can match most colors, using Pantone® swatches or similar, however we find the best results are achieved where the same tone is used but in slightly different shades.

Hawksmoor Air Street restaurant

Armourcoat polished plaster has been specified for the Hawksmoor Air Street restaurant in London.  Located on the first floor of Regent Street’s grand crescent, the restaurant and cocktail bar are inspired by the Piccadilly location - the heart of Art Deco London.

Nottingham-based interior architecture and design studio Macaulay Sinclair worked with owner Huw Gott, to create a glamorous interior paying homage to the classic Art Deco era.  As with all Hawksmoor locations, reclaimed materials have been used throughout to create a comfortable lived-in feel.

Entering the ground floor foyer the space is dominated by a sumptuous sweeping, elliptical marble staircase with black Armourcoat ‘SMG’ polished plaster walls, illuminated overhead by bespoke handcrafted chandeliers.  ‘SMG’ is a super luxury hand-applied wall finish with the appearance of a seamless high-gloss 'lacquer' effect, with no surface movement visible.

That's a wrap!

The new Armourcoat van presents ArmourFX with new wrap graphics to the back doors. The van delivers material to our UK contract projects, mainly in London and the South East, so will hopefully generate a lot of interest.  Look out London!

VW Headquarters, Milton Keynes

Armourcoat polished plaster has been specified at the Volkswagen Group Headquarters in Blakelands, Milton Keynes.  Volkswagen Group United Kingdom Ltd, part of Volkswagen AG, is one of the country's largest importers of vehicles from Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen Commercial vehicles.

The custom concrete-look wall surface, specified by Oxfordshire-based RPA Architects, has been used to stunning effect within the reception space on a central drum wall and large curved back wall.  The ‘Armuralia’ polished plaster finish incorporates dramatic recessed line details, and even a raised company logo and wall clock.

‘Armuralia’ is an exquisite silky smooth plaster finish with subtle tonal variations.  It is an entirely natural product made from aged lime putty and crushed Bianco Carrara marble and contains almost no VOCs.  As a ready mixed marble stucco paste, the material is trowel applied to create smooth or textured finishes which resemble polished stone in their appearance, hardness and feel to the touch.   ‘Armuralia’ is available in a range of 24 colours, custom colours and special effects can also be developed for bespoke applications.

Vote for us!

Armourcoat Sculptural has been short-listed in the 'wall covering' category of the International Product Design Awards 2012 - part of The International Design & Architecture Awards.

Hosted by leading interior design magazine design et al, The International Product Design Awards reward the best in design from across the globe.  The Awards raise awareness of the components of an interior, not just the overall scheme.

Please vote for us!  The International Design & Architecture Awards Ceremony 2012 will be held at the Dorchester Hotel, London, on Friday 28th September.;

 http://thedesignawards.co.uk/products/voting-2012.html

100% Design London - ArmourFX

Here's a sneak peek at our ArmourFX presentation at 100% Design.  The custom stencil design for the show is finished in an urban concrete effect.  The stand (E151 Eco Design & Build) will be stunning.

Retail Focus at Globalshop

We're delighted to be collaborating with Retail Focus magazine on a sponsored edition to coincide with Globalshop 2013 in Chicago.

GlobalShop (April 16-18, McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, IL) is the largest store design and at-retail marketing show in the United States. It is the only place where retailers and brand marketers can shop over 10,000 products and visit more than 900 suppliers in one location.  Visit Armourcoat at booth #2049.

TLC Media launched the first issue of Retail Focus in December 2009 offering original, well-informed content presented in a fresh, inspirational and modern design.  Using these ingredients, the design-led magazine has since gone from strength to strength and is creating a real buzz throughout the industry.

ArmourFX®

Armourcoat will introduce ArmourFX® - custom-made decorative wall panels, evolved from their renowned range of applied seamless wall finishes - at 100% Design London in September.

ArmourFX® decorative wall panel systems include finishes and substrates suitable for all applications; from retail to residential, hotel to healthcare. Armourcoat's specialist designers and artisan plasterers can create integrated custom wall panel systems or design statement single artwork pieces. ArmourFX® panels are delivered direct from a single source workshop in custom-made packaging to ensure safe arrival on site.

As all modular systems, the panels can be hung and removed as required, with no specialist installation required. All panels are provided with finished edges and are ready for hanging with French cleats or 'Z' clips. Plaster finishes are applied to flame retardant formaldehyde-free MDF, Sculptural pieces are made from non-combustible mineral plaster.

An array of global projects for an impressive list of international blue chip clients in commercial, retail and domestic sectors have established Armourcoat as a leading supplier of high quality surface finishes. Expert advice will be available on the stand (E151 ‘Eco Design & Build’), together with stunning examples of the full range of decorative finishes available from Armourcoat.

For more information visit www.armourfx.com.

Kiev Architecture Competition

We're launching a new Architecture Competition in Ukraine in conjunction with our local agent Faktura.  The details of the programme are still to be announced, but we can reveal that Paul Finch, programme director of the World Architecture Festival, will act as chairman of the international judging panel.  We're delighted to add his considerable talent and global perspective to the process.

Paul is deputy chairman of the UK Design Council and chairman of Design Council CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment); and editorial director of the Architectural Review and Architects' Journal.  He was a commissioner at CABE, and deputy chair, 1999-2007, and chair, 2009-2011. He chaired the Olympic Design Review panel from 2006-2010. He has been joint editor of Planning in London since 1992.  He was awarded an OBE for services to architecture in 2002.

KEiBA Winner!

I'm delighted to advise that Armourcoat have won the KEiBA (Kent Excellence in Business Award) for ‘Success in International Markets’.

Armourcoat have driven an ambitious global sales strategy over the past decade, now managing an extensive network of forty agents representing over seventy countries around the world.  The KEiBA award recognises companies that are challenging the current economic climate by developing fresh markets abroad.  Strong sales in international markets, with local manufacturing in key locations made Armourcoat stand out from the crowd.

The Awards - staged and produced by Kent County Council and the KM Group - were announced last night at a sold-out Gala Evening. Over 450 finalists, sponsors, partners and guests attended this year's event at Priestfield Conference and Banqueting Venue, home of Gillingham Football Club, to recognise and celebrate the very best from Kent's business community.

Securing a win in Donetsk

Armourcoat CEO Guy Whitehead presented in Donetsk, Ukraine last week with an evening presentation to local architects and interior designers.  The event, arranged by Elena and Aleksandr Khomkalova of Kiev based Faktura, was another successful evening with a very receptive audience.

What happened in Vegas...

The Armourcoat booth at Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas last week, created a flood of interest and colour!

The booth had a central focus of a 12' Sculptural 'Flow Wave' panel stunningly lit with Jesco RGB colour wall-washers.  This was a real eye-catcher for passing designers, architects and hotel owners.

Left to Right: ASF inc. COO Shawn Tweedy, with Sales Manager Karl Lennon and Business Development Manager Thomas Laughlin

Armourcoat lights up HD with Jesco

Armourcoat Surface Finishes Inc. will be lighting up Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas next week with the use of Jesco Aimable Indoor/Outdoor Fixtures for Wall-Wash and Accent Lighting.

The Jesco LED Wall-Wash fixture works particularly well in brilliantly illuminating architectural features, reception counters, sculpture, elevator banks, stairwells, showrooms and other larger facilities.  Whatever space or object is illuminated outdoors or in, facility users, visitors, guests, passers-by and owners alike benefit. The dramatic lighting effects of Jesco LED Wall-Wash fixtures embody exceptional energy efficiency, long operating life and long-term economy.

The square-shaped housings - made from non-corroding, easily cleanable cast aluminum - are fitted with incremental adjustable thumb wheels on either side, for precise aiming. The front of each unit holds a choice of 36, 64 or 117 single-watt LEDs in a square, dense pattern.

The Jesco LED Wall-Wash Fixture RGB color output provides for a complete range of color-mixing control.  Color mixing comprises primary reds, greens and blues, to soft yellows, medium lavenders and subtle aquamarine glows. They are ideal for decorative building facade and background lighting solutions.

Jesco is one of the nation’s fastest-growing lighting manufacturers offering a comprehensive selection of contemporary, architectural, energy-efficient lighting fixtures for a broad range of commercial, institutional and residential applications.

Armourcoat are delighted to be working with Jesco on the HD exhibition project to wall-wash a full size 12' Armourcoat Sculptural 'Flow Wave' back wall.  (Visit Jesco at booth #924 or Armourcoat at booth #5483).

Learn more about Jesco products and capabilities by visiting: www.jescolighting.com

Jesco Lighting is located at 66-25 Traffic Avenue, Glendale, New York 11385

Telephone: (718) 366-3211, E-mail: sales@jescolighting.com.

Russian Success

We've had a great response from our recent Mosbuild exhibition in Russia with local agent Studio A Dekor.

With a new venue and date format for 2012, Mosbuild was held at Moscow's historic Expocentre over a two week period in April.  Week One (2nd - 5th April) broadly focused on design and décor, whilst Week Two (10th - 13th April) focused on building and architecture.  MosBuild Design & Décor Week attracted over 50,000 industry professionals.  In total, more than 2,300 companies exhibited at MosBuild from 42 countries.

We're delighted to work in conjunction with Andrey Lytnev and team at Studio A Dekor to again participate in this important trade event for the region.

Caption: Armourcoat CEO Guy Whitehead congratulates Andrey Ltynev at another successful Moscow event

 Caption: Armourcoat CEO Guy Whitehead and Marketing Director Daniel Nevitt with Elena and Aleksandr Khomkalova of Ukrainian agent Faktura, regular visitors to the Moscow event

 Caption: The 2012 Mosbuild stand

Computer-Generated Surface Textures

We've just published our second AIA CE (Continuing Education) article with US magazine Architectural Record.  The article, entitled 'Computer-Generated Surface Textures', focuses on the design and specialist installation of Armourcoat Sculptural seamless wall finishes.  It is published in April on-line at Architectural Record's CE Center, and can be viewed here.

The article is sponsored by Armourcoat Surface Finishes Inc. in Las Vegas and is written by Celeste Allen Novak, Adjunct Professor at Michigan State University.  Celeste has authored numerous AIA and USGBC sponsored continuing education courses that have been read online by over ½ million readers. She teaches sustainable design and planning at several universities in Michigan. For the past 12 years, her firm has specialized in sustainable and universal design practices.

My thanks to Ladislav Karkusz of Karki Decorative Products in Slovakia and Amish Desai of Southwest Progressive Enterprises in Texas, for their support and assistance in the preparation for this article.

Mosbuild 2012

With our exhibition season in full swing, we're heading to Russia next week for Mosbuild - the largest building and interiors trade exhibition in Russia and the CIS.

With a new venue and date format for 2012, Mosbuild will be held at Moscow's historic Expocentre over a two week period in April.  Week One (2nd - 5th April) will host a number of events that are broadly focused on design and décor, whilst Week Two (10th - 13th April) will focus on building and architecture.  Last year MosBuild featured 2,472 exhibitors from 49 countries, and welcomed over 104,000 visitors.

We're delighted to work in conjunction with local agent Studio A Dekor to again participate in this important trade event for the region.  Visit us during Week 1 Design and Décor 'paints & coatings', hall 2, pavillion 7, stand N209.

Ecobuild prep

We're getting ready for Ecobuild (#S751, ExCeL London, 20-22 March) with some stunning original polished plaster designs.

The two below use vinyl stencils to create a recessed effect, the vinyl is removed to reveal the background finish.  The concrete grey tree form is a brand new design for the show, the pink and white free-form design is based on a finish created for 'Chop Wok'.  Both finishes are created from polished plaster, which incorporate 40% recycled marble.  Armourcoat products are made in the UK.

Māja, Riga

Armourcoat will be represented in Latvia at the 'Māja' exhibition next week.  The largest building industry event in the Baltics, 'Māja' attracts building specialists, architects, housing managers, major manufacturers together with distributors of building materials.

'Māja' takes place at Kipsala International Exhibition Centre in Riga, from 15-18 March 2012.  Armourcoat will also take part in an evening reception at the British Embassy in the capital on Wednesday 14 March at 6.00pm.  Local agent Ainis Caunans of Apdares Studija (pictured right with other Baltic representatives) will be representing Armourcoat at the show and reception, alongside a small group of British exporters.