Cape Town design centre offers industry ideas

Freeworld's 2nd floor reception.

The Design Centre is a space where "architects, interior designers, decorators and property owners can find inspiration and be inspired by the actual destination, which is itself a manifestation of the 'Decor Effect'," says Design Centre head, Lauren Shantall.

Sustainable architecture

Launched by the Freeworld Coatings Group, one of South Africa's leading coatings companies, it is situated along the Fan Walk, at the old Cape Waters Hotel Building. In construction, the existing structure of the old Cape Waters Hotel was re-used by retaining as many of the original features as possible, for example: the terrazzo flooring and stairwell railings.

Sustainable woods and renewable materials such as sisal, coir and leather were used throughout. The use of glass allows the building to be flooded with natural light, thereby reducing the need for electrical lighting during the day. All the desks and meeting room tables were made from reclaimed timber that used to form part of an oil rig at sea - they were custom made by the Green Building Co. The occupants use eco-friendly cleaning products in the building and have recycling bins on site.

Public, private space

The building includes a 100-seater auditorium and stage area, a courtyard, foyer, two floors of offices and meeting rooms, a rooftop terrace and the Design Centre area, complete with meeting spaces and designer pods and a library area. For public use there is the interior design reference library of books and magazines, Jacques Erasmus' Hemelhuijs café and an open-air courtyard with fountains, waterways, and free WiFi for customers.

The interiors, by Tonic Design, feature several street-facing pods that will host changing exhibitions by South Africa's top interior designers and decorators. Top decor experts such as Tracy Lynch and Kerstin Eser will be available for consultation services utilising 3D technology, enabling clients to visualise the possibilities of the decor effect. There are also product and effect displays and an extensive free-to-use reference library.

The auditorium and rooftop terrace may be hired out for events and recently hosted the Design Centre Film Festival as well as Bruce Mau's globally linked, live Massive Change Network.

Head offers design expertise

Shantall, head of the centre, has had experience managing the Design Indaba Expo and was previously the editor of Design Indaba Magazine. Prior to joining Design Indaba, she also acted as deputy editor of Elle Decoration magazine and was a Mondi Award finalist for journalism during this time. She is also a part-time artist/artisan and has held two exhibitions of her paintings and jewellery designs.

Current exhibits

Its first exhibition, the New African Elegance, a seasonal series of four, room-sized exhibitions designed by top SA creatives, opened on 11 February and will close at the end of April 2011. The four pods featured Source Interior Brand Architect, Tracy Lynch, Yelda Bayraktar and Mila, from Gerard Back and Philip Loxton.

For more information, go to www.freeworlddesigncentre.com.