ABOUT

Axolotl provides design solutions for architects, designers and builders through a range of authentic metal, concrete, terrazzo and terracotta surfaces, and are suppliers of solid surface, timber veneers, stone, paint, sheet metal and architectural glass.

The company was founded in 1995, after many years of R&D into the area of metal manipulation for surface application realised a world first – the ability to adhere genuine metal to the surface of any substrate, rendering the surface with the appearance of solid metal, but without any of its limitations. In the 27 years since inception, Axolotl has continued to develop products and services that are true to the original DNA of the business and now offer ten core surface applications, with infinite combinations. 

Axolotl extends both the design and construction potential of any project to become a unique source of inspiration for architects and designers. Our team is dedicated to working with you to fully realise the potential of Axolotl products and provide a customised service from conception to completion.

COMPANY BACKGROUND

Founded by brothers Kris and Kim Torma, Axolotl Australia employs 25 full-time staff and is based in Sydney, where it delivers architectural and art projects for national and international clients.

Since 2021, Axolotl Global has expanded the sales and production capabilities of the local business to deliver unprecedented international growth, with newly founded factories in Thailand and Baja California and with design and sales teams based in the UK, Europe, Asia, the GCC and North America. There are now over 100 staff and 22,000sqm of factory floorspace.

Axolotl remains Australian-owned and is committed to continuing its innovative and sustainable manufacturing within Australia.

PHILOSOPHY

COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT

At Axolotl we are committed to preserving the environment for future generations and use recycled materials and sustainable products wherever possible. Naturally, the best form of recycling has always been the simple act of passing something on. Beautiful quality ensures longevity. Axolotl products are executed to the highest standard and designed to become heirlooms for future generations.

METAL | Our metals are applied as a veneer and use significantly less metal and less power than the traditional cast or sheet metal process. It is far cleaner with much reduced pollution created through production. Only 100% recycled metals are used.

CONCRETE | The quantity of raw materials required for 1 square metre of our concrete coating is just 2% of raw materials required for the same surface area of solid concrete. This translates to a fraction of the carbon emissions of the production of solid concrete.

TERRACOTTA | Axolotl Terracotta uses recycled minerals within its coating system and requires no kiln firing reducing carbon emissions. Solid terracotta objects have inherent shrinkage and limited strength, this means that far more units would be required to fulfil a project when accounting for breakages. 

TIMBER | As we are dealing with natural resources on a daily basis, we always ensure that all the timber we work with is harvested in a sustainable, ethical and renewable manner. Plantation hardwoods and FSC timbers are environmentally friendly and provide us a beautiful renewable resource without destroying rainforests.

STONE | By using Axolotl Stone Surface in place of solid stone, we save more than 95% of natural resources in the form of stone, sand and cement and leave a smaller environmental footprint. Axolotl Stone Surface panels weigh up to 20 times less than that of a solid stone object of the same size, making them easier to transport and handle.

SOLAR | Axolotl installed a 10kW trackable solar system at Axolotl House, which not only services the property but provides power back to the grid. A 50kW system, equating to approx. 1000sqm of solar panels has been recently installed on the roof of our factory in Matraville. The power this system provides meets, and surpasses, our monthly electricity requirements.

PAINT | Axolotl architectural paints are water based and contain zero or minimal VOC's.

GLASS | Our glass products completes our commitment to the environment by being 100% recyclable.

COMMUNITY

Community means a lot to us here at Axolotl. Building positive relationships, providing charitable support and enriching our neighbourhood is an important part of what we do. Axolotl has an established program of community and philanthropic partnerships, with a specific focus on emerging Australian design and creating job opportunities for those with economic, physical and intellectual disabilities. 

STAFF

Axolotl has always pursued the creation of opportunity for people who are often marginalised through ability or background. We are committed to ongoing employment of individuals through organisations including:

JOB SUPPORT | JobSupport’s mission is to place, train and maintain as many people with a significant intellectual disability as possible into quality jobs in the regular workforce that meet both their employment needs and the needs of the employer.

HANDBRAKE TURN | An initiative of Concern Australia that provides hands-on training in practical real-world skills together with social support. The program aims to transform the lives of young people aged 15 to 19 who have difficulty within the mainstream education system.

NSW CORRECTIONAL WORK RELEASE | Work Release/Education and Vocational Training Programs allow selected inmates to go to employment, education and vocational training in the community while continuing to serve the latter portion of their sentences in minimum-security conditions within a correctional centre. Staff are to make every effort to assist suitable inmates to gain employment, education and vocational training course participation that is both meaningful and potentially beneficial upon release.

SPONSORSHIPS 

SCULPTURE BY THE SEA | Axolotl Art Projects is excited to announce it's commitment as a Supporting Partner of Australia’s iconic Sculpture by the Sea for the third year. Selected artists receive a significant contribution in the form of materials and artisan support to help realise their vision. They will be able to choose from the full palette of Axolotl surfaces including metals, stone, terracotta and glass, affording the artist the ability to reinterpret any surface into something completely unique.

GOOD DESIGN |  With a history that dates back to 1958, Good Design Australia is an international design promotion organisation responsible for managing Australia’s annual Good Design Awards and other signature design events.

IDEA |  The Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) is Australia’s largest and most successful independent design awards program. Launched by inside magazine in 2003, the program celebrates the best of Australian interior and product design across 13 categories and five Special Awards.

HABITUS HOUSE OF THE YEAR | Habitus House of the Year is a new program honouring outstanding residential design in the Indo-Pacific.

SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS | The Sustainability Awards is Australia’s longest-running and most prestigious awards program dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating excellence in sustainable design and architecture.

DESIGNEX | Australia's premier interiors and architectural event. DesignEX is an industry platform from which to share inspiration and innovation - a  platform where design is celebrated, design leaders are honoured, the young and new can learn, flourish and grow and cutting edge ideas and practices are showcased.

THE DESIGN CENTRE ENMORE | is Sydney TAFE’s creative hub, home to many of Australia’s best-known design courses. They offer a wide variety of design disciplines on one campus. Students can pursue studies in industrial, jewellery, graphic, interior, event and entertainment design, 3D animation, concept art and illustration.

SYDNEY DESIGN WEEK | Young Designer of the Year Award.

COLOUR INTERACTION CONFERENCE | Major Sponsor.

AFA  | The Australian Furniture Association (AFA) is the peak Australian industry association for the furniture sector supply chain. The AFA is committed to helping Australian businesses with a focus on building competitive and sustainable business models and to promote the profitable growth, competitiveness, innovation, and the export readiness of its members.

UTS | Major sponsor for the graduating students.

2023 International Building Show - Las Vegas USA - Finalist Best in Show

2023 International Building Show - Las Vegas USA - Finalist Best Best Window and Door Product

2023 Hawa Expo - Vietnam - Best Stand Award

2022 Corp Today Magazine | Most Innovative Architecture & Design Solutions Provider - Australia

2022 Australian Made Awards | Most Innovative Global Concrete & Coatings Design Solutions

2022 Corp Today Magazine | Metal Coating Innovators Of The Year

2022 ADEX Awards | Blackened Steel |  Platinum Award for Design Excellence

2022 ADEX Awards | Hot Rolled Steel |  Platinum Award for Design Excellence

2021 Axolotl Blackened Steel |  Recognised by Design Journal as one of the best products of 2021

2021 Axolotl Hot Rol|ed Steel | Recognised by Design Journal as one of the best products of 2021

2021 Global Business Insight Awards | Most Outstanding Architecture & Design Solutions Provider

2021 Corp Today Magazine | Interior/Exterior Metal Coating Innovators Of The Year

2021 Corp Today Magazine | Best Architecture & Design Solutions Provider - Australia

2020-2021 Corporate Live Wire - New South Wales Prestige Awards | Most Innovative Design Company

2020 Apac Insider | Surfaces Company of the Year

2020 CV Magazine | Most Innovative Architectural Design Solutions Provider

2019 ADEX Awards | Lustre Spectrum |  Platinum Award for Design Excellence

2019 ADEX Awards | Axolotl Terrazzo |  Platinum Award for Design Excellence

2019 Australian Enterprise Awards | Interior/Exterior Metal Coating Innovators of the Year

2019 CV Magazine | Most Innovative Architecture Design Solutions Provider  

2018 Lux Life Leading Designers Awards | Most Innovative Multi-disciplinary Design Firm

2018 Award for employing workers with an intellectual disability for more than 20 years | JobSuppprt

2018 Apac Insider | Leading Architectural Product Supplier

2018 ADEX Awards | Mojo Luxe Bathware | Platinum Award for Design Excellence

2018 ADEX Awards | Axolotl Paint | Finalist

2018 ADEX Awards | Spectrum | Finalist

2017 Excellence in Asia Pacific Award | Excellence in Environmental Architecture - Australia

2017 Sydney Design Awards | Gold Winner | Mojo Luxe Bath Ware

2017 Good Design Award | Mojo Luxe Bath Ware

2017 Australian Enterprise Awards |  Best Global Architectural Products Supplier

2017 Best of Houzz Design

2016 Good Design Selection | Halo Glass

2015 Luminaire Design Award of  Excellence | Light Sculptures and Installation Award - designed by Donn Salisbury

2015 ADEX Awards | Axolotl Terracotta | Gold Award for Design Excellence

2015 ADEX Awards | Axolotl Concrete |  Platinum Award for Design Excellence

2015 WAN Awards Shortlist | Axolotl Terracotta | Product Innovation Facades

2014 Axolotl Concrete | Recognised by Design Journal as one of the best products of 2014

2014 Axolotl Concrete |  Recognised by Archinterious as one of the best products of 2014

2014 Melbourne Design Awards | Axolotl Terracotta | Winner Product Design - Commercial and Industry

2014 Sydney Design Awards | Winner Design Manufacturer - Made in Sydney

2014 Sydney Design Awards | Finalist Marketing - Branded Experience

2014 DesignEX | Best Product manufactured in Australia | Anomaly

2014 DesignEX | Best Sustainable Product | Anomaly

2014 Good Design Award | Kintsugi Vessels | Anomaly

2013 Finalist (one of three from over 200 submissions worldwide) 520sqm sculptural glass wall for Hong Kong International Airport. Invitation only

2012 Axolotl Concrete and LINK | Voted ‘Material of Excellence’ and selected for inclusion into the material archive by New York’s prestigious ‘Material ConneXion Resource Library’

2011 Australian International Design Award for Architectural & Interior Products | Axolotl Concrete | Winner

2011 Selected by AIDA for exhibition at the world’s largest design expo, Design Korea 2011. | Axolotl Concrete

2011 Exhibited at the Powerhouse Museum‘Success and Innovation Showcase’  for 12 months | Axolotl Concrete

2011 Award for employing workers with an intellectual disability for more than 10 years  | JobSuppprt

2010 Viridian’s Vision Award for Best Residential Interiors use of glass (designed by Sam Crawford Architects) | Axolotl Glass

2008 Designex | Winner Best Stand 30-70m

2008 Designex | Winner Best Dressed Stand – SIDA Foundation

2008 Designex | Winner Best New Product for ‘Link’

2006 Designex | Winner Best Stand 30-70m

2006 Designex | Winner Best New Product for ‘the Signature Series

2004 Designex | Winner Best Dressed Stand – SIDA Foundation

2003 Telstra Small Business Awards | Finalist

2003 Employer of the Year Award | Finalist

2002 National Business and GIO Product Innovation Award | Winner

2001 Axolotl Metal - Voted ‘Material of Excellence’ and selected for inclusion into the material archive by New York’s prestigious ‘Material ConneXion Resource Library’

1999 Australia Post Small Business of the Year Award | Winner

1999 Australian Business President’s Prize for ‘Success Through Innovation’ | Winner

1999 Telstra Small Business Awards | Finalist

1999 DesignEx | Best New Product

1998 DesignEx | Best New Product

1998 Accepted into the Australian Technology Showcase with the first round of companies

1998 Member of the NSWDSRD High Growth Business Program

1998 DesignEx | Winner of Vogue Living Best Stand under 30m2 Award

1998 Employer of the Year Award | Finalist

1997 Australia Post Small Business of the Year Award | Finalist

1997 Yellow Pages Business Ideas Grants | Finalist

ARCHITECTS & DESIGNERS

• Akin Creative

• Alexandra Kidd

• Altis Architecture

• Alwill Interiors

• Anthony Wyer

• Architectus

• Bates Smart

• Bergstrom Architects

• BKH

• Bijl Architecture

• Blainey North

• Bligh Voller Nield

• Brewster Murray

• Brian Meyerson Architects

• Buchan Group

• Burtenshaw Scoufis

• BVN

• Chada

• CHROFI

• Corben Architects

• Cox Richardson

• Crawford Architects

• Crone Architects

• Curious by Design

• Daryl Jackson Robin Dyke

• Davenport Campbell

• David Mexico

• Denton Corker Marshall

• Design Portfolio

• DJE

• Dina Barros

• Dods & Zuccon Architects

• Dreamtime Australia

• EJE

• Environa Studio

• Esoteriko

• Euroline

• Facet Studio

• Fender Katsalidis

• Fender Katsalidis Mirams

• FJMT

• Foster and Associates

• Foster + Partners

• Freeman Ryan

• Fulton Trotter

• Futurespace

• Germax

• Geyer

• Gilmore Interior Design

• Greg Natale

• Group GSA

• Hames Sharley

• Hare & Klein

• Hassell

• Hayball

• HBA

• HBO + EMTB

• Imagination

• Ingenhoven

• IVergnaud

• Jackson Teece

• JPDC

• Kann Finch

• Kerry Hill

• Lacoste and Stevenson

• Leffler Simes

• Lend Lease

• Lippmann Partnership

• Luchetti Krelle

• Mary Brandon By Design

• Matt Woods

• Mirvac

• Molnar Freeman Architects

• Neeson Murcutt Architects

• Nettleton Tribe

• Nicholas Graham + Associates

• Nina Maya

• Paul Kelly

• Peddle Thorpe Walker

• Poco

• Popov Bass Architects

• PTID

• Renzo Piano

• Rice Daubney

• Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners

• Rolf Ockert Design

• Sheira Design

• Siren Design

• SJB

• SJS

• Smart Design

• Squillace

• Stanic Harding

• State of Craft

• Studio Mimosa

• Suters

• Tanner Architects

• Tanner Kibble Denton

• The Uncarved Block

• The Unlisted Collective

• The World is Round

• Thomas Bucich Design

• Thomas Hamel

• Tino Vella Design

• Tobias Partners

• Tom Mark Henry

• Tonkin Zulaikha Greer

• Tony Owen

• TT Architecture

• Tzannes and Associates

• Viginia Kerridge

• Watermark

• Westfield

• WMK

• Woodhead International

• Woods Bagot

• X+O

• YSG

PRODUCT DESIGNERS

• A Design

• Adam Cornish

• Adam Goodrum

• Ben Wahrlich

• Broached Commissions

• Darren Palmer

• David Caon

• David Knott

• Electrolight

• Jaime Hayon

• Mark Tuckey

• Marz

• Matthew Sheargold

• Oliver Tanner

• Rive Roshan

• Tilt Industrial Design

• Tom Fereday

• Tuza and Conradi

HOTELS

• AMAN

• Four Seasons

• Hilton

• Intercontinental

• Langham

• Mandarin Oriental

• Marriott

• Novotel

• Ovolo

• Pan Pacific

• Park Hyatt

• Pier One

• Raintree

• Regal

• Sebel

• Shangri-la

• Sofitel

• Vibe

• W

• Wentworth

• Westin

AUTOMOTIVE

• AMG

• BMW

• BP

• Honda

• Jaguar

• Maserati

• Mercedes Benz

• NRMA

• RACV

• Toyota

• VW

SHOPPING CENTRES

• Australia Square

• Centrepoint

• Galleries Victoria

• Melbourne Central

• MLC

• Oxford Square

• QVB

• Skytower - Brisbane

• Tesco

• The District

• The Strand

• Westfields

• Woolworths

MUSEUMS & PUBLIC SPACE

• Art Gallery of NSW

• Australian Museum

• Central Park

• DFES Bushfire Centre of Excellence

• Disney World

• Event Cinemas

• Federation Square

• Gallery of Modern Art

• Hoyts

• IMAX

• Mandurah Cultural Centre

• McEwin Mission Control and Space Discovery Centre 

• Mitchell Library

• Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences

• Museum of Contemporary Art

• Museum of Sydney

• National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)

• Olympic Stadium

• Powerhouse Museum

• Questacon

• Sydney Convention Centre

• Sydney Exhibition Centre

• Sydney Living Museum

• Sydney Opera House

• Texas Fort Worth Zoo

HOSPITALS

• Anglish Hospital

• Austin Hospital

• Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital

• Mater Hospital

• Northern Hospital

• Prince Charles Hospital

• Prince of Wales Hospital

• Randwick Hospital

• Royal Brisbane Hospital

• St George Hospital

• St John Hospital

• St John of God Hospital

• St Vincents Hospital

• Sydney Adventist Hospital

• Sydney Children’s Hospital

• The Garvan Institute

COMMUNICATIONS

• AAPT

• Amaysim

• Telstra

LUXURY RETAIL

• Apple

• Armani

• Bvlgari

• Cartier

• Chanel

• Dior

• Fendi

• Gucci

• Louis Vuitton

• Paspaley Pearls

• Tiffany & Co

• Valentino

• Versace

RETAIL

• Cerrone

• David Jones

• Dinosaur Designs

• Fred Perry

• Georgini

• Harvey Norman

• Industrie

• Musson

• Thelios

• Wanted

• Watches of Switzerland

• West Elm

AERONAUTICAL

• Brisbane Airport

• Changi Airport - Singapore

• Emirates Airlines

• Kingsford Smith Airport - Sydney

• Qantas

• Singapore Airlines

CASINOS

• Adelaide Casino

• Crown Casino

• Darwin Casino

• Jupiters Casino

• Launceston Casino

• MGM

• Perth Casino

• The Star Casino

FOOD

• Arnotts

• Bathers Pavilion

• Coles

• Flying Fish

• Guillame at Bennelong

• Hard Rock Café

• Hungry Jacks

• Icebergs

• KFC

• Kitchen by Mike

• McDonalds

• Merivale

• Messina

• Rockpool

• Rockpool Bar and Grill

• Sake

• Sizzler

• Steel

• Otto

• Woolworths

BEVERAGE

• Absolut

• AHL

• Balgownie Estate Winery

• Balvenie

• Hollydene Winery

• Johnny Walker

• Lion Nathan

• Margan Wines

• McGuigan Wines

• Stolichnaya

• Tempus Two

• Tooheys

GOVERNMENT

• ACT Law Courts

• Canberra Central Parklands

• Canberra Labor Club

• Carnarvon Courthouse

• Coffs Harbour Court House

• County Court of Victoria

• Dept of Fire and Emergency Services

• Environmental Science Facility

• NSW Institute of Sport

• NSW Trade and Investment

• RTA/RMS

• Sydney Coroners Court

• Toowoomba Courthouse

WAR MEMORIALS

• Australian War Memorial

• Hyde Park War Memorial

• Korean War Memorial

• Nurses Memorial Canberra

• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

EDUCATION

• Australian Catholic University

• Bond University

• Macquarie University

• Newington College

• St. Sebastians

• University of Sydney

• UNSW

• UTS

• UWS

• Whitlam Library

FINANCE

• Allianz

• American Express

• AMP

• ANZ

• Australian Stock Exchange

• Bank of China

• Barclays

• Commonwealth Bank

• Credit Suisse

• Ernst and Young

• HSBC

• Macquarie Bank

• Morgan Stanley

• NAB

• Perpetual Trustees

• Price Waterhouse Coopers

• Reserve Bank of Australia

• Rothschild

• Royal Bank of Scotland

• Suncorp

• Westpac Bank

• Zurich

CONSTRUCTION

• Built

• Cimic

• EDI Downer

• Hutchison Builders

• John Holland

• Jones Lang Lasalle

• Leighton

• Lend Lease

• Meriton

• Mirvac

• Probuild

• Richard Crookes

• Scentre Group

• Schiavello

• Sunland

• Thiess

• Walker Corporation

• Watpac

CONFECTIONARY

• Cadbury

• Ferrero

• Lindt

• Nestle

TELEVISION

• ABC

• BBC

• Channel 7

• Channel 9

• Channel 10

• Foxtel

CORPORATE

• B. Braun

• Barangaroo

• BHP

• BUPA

• Caroma

• Cisco

• Club Med

• Crown

• CSR

• Etherium

• Freemantle Media

• Genting

• Gillette

• Henry Davis York

• Hilti

• Hitachi

• James Hardie

• Kimberly Clark

• Ministry of Sound

• Pinterest

• Ray White

• SAI Global

• Savills

• Surf Lifesaving Australia

• We Work

APPLIANCES

• B. Braun

• Breville

• Fisher and Paykel

• Fujitsu

• Sunbeam

• Toshiba

PLACES OF WORSHIP

• Bahai Temple

• Central Synagogue

• Istiqlal Mosque

• Nan Tien

• St. Johns Church

  
  

ENERGY

• Country Energy

• Energy Australia

• Puma Energy

• Woodside

FURNITURE

• Established and Sons

• James Salmond

• Living Edge

• Mark Tuckey

• Muuto

• Space

• Stylecraft

It's not often you find creativity working so brilliantly alongside product development and manufacturing. Nor is it often that someone strong in these characteristics will reach out and give opportunity to other creative people. I have observed and worked with Kris for more than 20years - the whole experience has been an artistic joy alongside productive outcomes.
HAZEL BAMBRICK
Interior Designer
Designing Women

From the bottom of our hearts thank you so much. Your help, patience and and professionalism has been among the best we have had in the house build, and almost all via email, in another country!! If only they were all like that.
DI and PETE SMITH
New Zealand

As always a great job done by your team to deliver the vision.
PAUL KOHN
Design Lead (Associate)
Place Design Group

Axolotl’s products are highly respected in the Australian Building industry and the company have consistently demonstrated a commitment to design excellence, innovation and quality research.
MELONIE BAYL-SMITH
Architect
Bijl Architecture

Axolotl is an organisation and group of people I hold in high esteem.
MARK McCLELLAND Cultural Capital