Versatility of application is not an easy thing to perfect. Versatility of specification is even harder. Recently, across both the residential and commercial market, we’ve noticed that some of the latest projects have incorporated innovative surfaces from the portfolio of Alternative Surfaces – the Australian supplier of surfacing solutions that are first-and-foremost geared toward satisfying versatility. Curious about their popularity, we asked some architects and designers ‘why Alternative Surfaces?’

Buchan @ Mail Exchange
Buchan Group

“We were constrained by the existing grano topping on the planked slab and really wanted either polished concrete or some other hard wearing finish that had a similar feel.

Right from our first enquiry, Alternative Surfaces offered advice on the existing surface and the suitability of their products to achieve our desired finish. […] We specified X-Bond Polished Bond because we wanted a finish that would be hard-wearing, easy to clean and easily maintained. […The advantage] to this finish is that there is a selection of colours to choose and we didn’t require massive amounts of expansion joints.

The end result was as we had hoped and considering it was applied very early in the fitout and protected during works, we were delighted in the stability and how the finish withstood foot and material traffic”.
– Ashley Bell, Design Manager.

Southern Cross Austereo
Graham Nicholas

“The design concept for this space was an ‘urban garden’. We specified Alternative Surfaces’ X-Bond Polished Bond
for the wall intending to evoke a walled garden and create the impression of a rendered concrete wall. […]

The client was very happy with the finished product and the design of the staff café and breakout generally”.
– Robert Collins, Design Manager.

REA Australia
Futurespace 

“One of the reasons we chose Quartz Carpet is because of its hard-wearing properties in the main thoroughfares on working office and commercial floors. In addition to its high performance it also looks great and is a unique finish that gives our projects an edge. […]

Quartz carpet has a totally uniform appearance with an unbroken finish no matter how big the area over which it is installed. It also really helps with acoustics in what can be a very noisy, open plan area. And perhaps most importantly, it is easy to clean and maintain I such high use areas.

Alternative Surfaces were great in providing samples upon request and in a really fast timeframe. The technical support was also excellent […] answering all of our questions with knowledge and confidence. […] Quartz Carpet is durable, performs well acoustically and is still looking like new almost two years later even though it is in a high traffic area site. We are really pleased with the result and Quartz Carpet has since become one of our favourite flooring finishes!” – Gavin Harris, Design Director.

Alternative Surfaces have captured much of the A+D community’s attention across the Asia Pacific region for providing innovative responses to the traditional timber, carpet or tiled flooring option. Specialising in seamless, hard surface finishes, their team of specialists have expertly curated an impressive suite of products to suit a wide range of solid substrates across the residential and commercial sectors.

Image credits, left to right:
1, 2: Rea Australia – photography by Nicole England courtesy of Futurespace
3. Buchan @ Mail Exchange – photography courtesy of Buchan Group
4. Southern Cross Austereo – photography by David Sievers courtesy of Graham Nicholas