Inner city terraces are always in huge demand among home buyers and renovators with their great location, period features and lofty ceiling heights. The big challenge however, is overcoming the issues presented by these often cavernous interiors and the lack of natural light.

Sam Crawford Architects' recent refurbishment of a Newtown terrace illustrates resolutely how once small dark spaces can be gracefully opened and illuminated.

With Axolotl's internal and external glass flooring, light now cascades from one level to the next. The subterranean kitchen space is transformed with light spilling through an external patio glass floor. And the internal glass floor also filters daylight through from the skylit top floor to the middle all the while complementing the glass doors in the passageway.

The floor consists of panels of clear glass laminated with clear PVB interlayers and finished with a seraphic frost non slip surface, so it is as robust and functional as it is decorative.

Unsurprising then that this stunning transformation was Awarded Viridian's 2010 Vision Award for Best Residential Interiors use of glass.

These images clearly demonstrate how glass as a construction medium is ideal for transmission of light and movement, whilst creating a certain degree of privacy and obscurity. The laminated glass is incredibly strong and is no more slippery than other common floor finishes. These qualities open up a realm of possibilities for glass in both residential and commercial spaces.

If you like further information on this project with Q and A's with Sam Crawford, click here to download a pdf brochure. For further information on Axolotl Glass visit our website gallery.

This visual feast is brought to you by Axolotl in partnership with some of Australia's mostillustrious designers and architects. The scope of works demonstrates Axolotl's versatility and flexibility - no matter how challenging the task.

At Axolotl we relish any opportunities to push the boundaries in collaboration with talented design professionals.  As you can see the outcomes are stunning.

Reception counter in Axolotl Bronze Florentine

Transport House, Sydney

Design: Nicholas Graham & Associates

Surround in Axolotl Treasury Bronze Pearl

'The Grantham' luxury apartments, Potts Point

Design: Alex Popov & SJB

Water Feature in Polished Graphite and Hot Pink

Private Residence, Sydney

Design: Dale Jones-Evans

As part of our showcase on public art projects, we are privileged to have worked with renowned Sydney art duo Susan Milne and Greg Stonehouse on a number of projects. Most recently Axolotl again had the opportunity to work with Milne & Stonehouse on a site specific installation commissioned for the new Advanx Apartments in Rushcutters Bay. The site of the development was previously the Advanx tyre factory which provided inspiration for the sculptures. Manufactured in aluminium, the structures which range up to 4 metres in height, are bonded with Axolotl Zinc. The lasercut fragments of tyre treads are paralleled by plant fossil prints which Axolotl have etched onto each of the multi faceted elements. As interpreted by Milne and Stonehouse, the piece explores the layered print of plant life with the imprint of humans.

Advanx Sculpture by Milne & Stonehouse

Axolotl has a long history of collaborating with some of Australia's leading artists. It's always a thrill to be approached to work on these projects and we have recently completed three large scale public art pieces by three different artists which we will showcase over the coming weeks.

Warren Langley, one of Australia's most acclaimed glass and light artists, has produced numerous installations incorporating Axolotl glass. Recently Warren was commissioned to create a site specific sculpture for the newly opened Canberra Glassworks. The artists centre is located in the converted buildings of the old Kingston Powerhouse complex on the lake foreshores in Kingston, ACT.

Titled 'Touching Lightly', the 23m high tower consists of a galvanised steel frame surrounded by Axolotl formed glass and rings of LED lights creating a low energy feature on the site of the old chimney stack. Each of the 56 panels of low iron glass were formed by Axolotl into a unique custom texture, which were then curved and mounted to the frame creating over 100 square metres of glass skin enveloping the entire structure.

Carved Crack - Copper Smooth w Pearl Patina

Oversize doors are more popular now than ever. Which is unsurprising considering the unique statement they make.

Using conventional substrates for oversize doors, however, can present challenges including weight, workability and warping.

The 'Vanguard' door overcomes these restrictions. 'Vanguard' consists of two layers of a specialised composite laminated to an aluminium frame. The outer skin provides a durable layer with long-term structural stability and excellent chemical and moisture resistant properties. The specialised composite allows the faces to be routered or machined to a pre-determined depth without compromising the integrity of the door.

The door featured has a unique 'cracked' design carved into the face of the door continuing across onto the side panel. The door is bonded with Axolotl Copper Smooth Pearl.

However you can take your creative ideas to the limit as the 'Vanguard' door can be bonded with any Axolotl metal and effect.

The same structural technology is also used for gates and garage doors allowing you to coordinate these elements to make a big design statement.

Click Here to see the complete range of Axolotl Doors.

Axolotl Lucent was shortlisted for Best New Product at DesignEX this year. We of course, are thrilled but not surprised. This unique and innovative product, takes glass to a new level of possibilities. Panels are deep carved to a standard or custom design, and injected with transparent dyes creating a colour feature that can represent understated simplicity or a dramatic kaleidoscope of colour.

Lucent naturally features on our stand, injecting a green hue into the angled glass blades forming one wall of the stand. The facing wall of double lasercut screens in Axolotl Treasury Bronze mirrors the three dimensional design of the Lucent panels.

Our new timber inspired range, Ingrain, forms the wall paneling in Pewter, and in Bronze Florentine for the flooring, demonstrating both its versatility as well as durability. A floating bench, bonded with Axolotl Cayman contrasts beautifully with a splash of lawn.

Illuminated Miro glass laminated panels displaying vibrant images of butterflies line the interior walls and a section of the floor features Axolotl Lunar flooring in Pewter. The entire structure is wrapped in Axolotl Viper in Bronze from our Skin collection.

Special to thanks to our partners: Philip Chia, JSB Lighting, Bang & Olufsen, Sydney Glass, Linea Interiors and De De Ce.

Axolotl Metal continues to deliver the unexpected, with the introduction of its innovative new timber inspired range.

Ingrain fuses the lustre of Axolotl Metal with the natural warmth and beauty of wood to create an unparalleled alternative for flooring and wall panelling.

By bonding the timber with Axolotl Metal fine details of the grain can be read through, creating the appearance of timber cast in solid metal. It delivers a hardwearing surface and is suitable for internal and external applications for commercial and residential projects.

Other possible applications for Ingrain are counters, feature walls, bar fronts, joinery or table tops.

Ingrain flooring doesn't require any onsite finishing and with the patina evolving over time as the metal is polished by passing foot traffic.

The wall panelling pictured here is bonded in pewter, however as with all Axolotl products, Ingrain is available in any Axolotl metal.

Click Here to see the complete range of Axolotl Metal finishes.

Extending the creative boundaries of dye-hard designers, Axolotl is introducing its colourful new architectural glass panels.

Called Lucent, the range takes screening to an enlightening new level. Each glass panel is deep carved to a standard or custom design, with translucent dyes injecting a kaleidoscope of colour.

Lucent is ideal for screening where the play of natural light can be manipulated to maximum effect.

Colour can be applied on one or both faces of glass, creating depth and tridimensionality, with bespoke designs allowing the greatest control over the level of visual obscurity.

The Lucent range has commercial and residential screening applications from intricate detailing to large-scale decorative features.

Click Here to see the complete Axolotl Glass range.

Security and privacy are essential criteria for most commercial and residential projects, but often it’s a challenge to achieve both without compromising the aesthetics or overall design concept. Gates and fences bonded with Axolotl Metal provide a beautifully practical solution to this design dilemma. Axolotl Metal is an ideal material for external screening and security elements due to its durable, weather resistant characteristics and its ability to be bonded to practically any material.

Custom designed lasercut steel, CFC or phenolic resin panels bonded with Axolotl Metal allow maximum control over levels of privacy whilst creating a striking feature. Even more complex forms can be achieved by stacking or layering panels and incorporating different metals, textures and patinas.

Axolotl Metal has released its new and updated 64 page brochure. It features recently released metals and textures and new examples of completed works. All featured work is categorised by application for easy reference.