New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 30/12 | Page 67

Hot-rolled steel was specified for the cashier
desk, wall panels and laser-cut screens.
“Because some parts of the hot-rolled steel cool
faster than others, it has interesting tonal variations,” says the designer. “The hexagonal laser-cut
motifs on the wall screens repeat a branding theme
that appears in a lot of the Spice Paragon marketing – the shapes reference spices, in particular star
anise. These are illuminated by LED lighting, so the
hexagons glow out from the dark steel.”
Other lattice-work screens divide key areas of
the restaurant, and also feature on the front of the
bar. These are made from interlocking flat steel,
with minimal welding.
“These screens create privacy and intimacy, but
with a degree of transparency,” says Pankhurst.
“They provide a theatre of movement, and also
convey a slightly Oriental lantern effect that is
appropriate. Although the food in the restaurant has
a Thai base, it also has a strong Western influence,
so there was never any intention of providing an
especially authentic Thai decor.”
Another key element in the interior is a long
black wall made from a Muros fibreglass product.
Pankhurst says this conveys the texture of shuttered concrete, but was a much more cost-effective
way to achieve a similar look.

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