The free world design center

Calling all designers, stylists, architects and decor loving junkies,your new meeting place has arrived. The Free World Design Center has opened its doors offering design inspiration, advice and the technical know how.

Headed up by Lauren Shantall, she tells us more:

What is your experience in the design industry?

I have had experience managing the Design Indaba Expo and I was previously the editor ofDesign Indaba Magazine. The Design Indaba won a Gold Loerie for best event of 2007, andthe magazine was the recipient of a PICA award during my tenure. Prior to joining DesignIndaba I also acted as Deputy Editor of Elle Decoration magazine and I was a Mondi Awardfinalist for journalism during this time. In addition I am a part-time artist/artisan and I haveheld two exhibitions to date of my paintings and jewellery designs.

How did the natural environment influence your design?

Due to the use of glass, elements of nature such as the weather, trees, and landscape arevisible from within the building. This earthiness is echoed in the use of natural materialsthroughout, particularly wood, sisal, coir leather and linen.

What sustainable initiatives were implemented in the design?

We re-used the existing structure of the old Cape Waters Hotel and retained as many ofthe original features as possible, for example: the terrazzo flooring and stairwell railings.Sustainable woods and renewable materials such as sisal, coir and leather were usedthroughout. The use of glass allows the building to be flooded with natural light, therebyreducing the need for electrical lighting during the day. All the desks and meeting roomtables were made from reclaimed timber that used to form part of an oil rig at sea – theywere custom made for us by the Green Building Co. We use eco-friendly cleaning productsin the building and we have recycling bins on site.

If I were a homeowner would I be able to come into the Freeworld Design Centreand sit down with a consultant?

No, as a member of the public the Freeworld Design Centre acts more as a resource forideas and a place from which to draw inspiration. The spaces within the Freeworld DesignCentre building that are available for public use are:o The interior design reference library of books and magazineso Four pod installations which have been designed by some of SA’s top spatialdesigners.o The Courtyard is a quite space to sit with a newly purchased internationaldesign magazine from our bookshopo Hemelhuijs restaurant by Jacques Erasmuso The Auditorium and Rooftop Terrace that may be hired out for events – weare looking forward to hosting the forthcoming Design Centre Film Festival aswell as Bruce Mau’s globally linked, live Massive Change Network.

What can a member of the interior and décor trade expect?

Members of the architecture, interior and coatings industries, as well as propertydevelopers, will be able to use all of the above mentioned spaces that have been listed foruse by the public. However, members of the trade will also be able to speak with the DesignCentre’s consultants to assist their decisions about walls, floors and decor. In addition,a 3D rendering service is offered to trade customers, as well as the Freeworld DesignCentre meeting and consultation spaces, that are available for hire for client meetings andpresentations.

Photography:  Mickey Hoyle

We know that Cape Town is about to submit a bid for World Design Capital 2014, doyou think Cape Town is worthy of this accolade?
I think that Cape Town has incredible design potential and much of it is currently beingrealised in a very passionate way. The World Design Capital status celebrates a place thatnot only uses design to beautify but it also looks at how design is changing that place.How are we applying design intelligently to our urban landscape? I believe that CapeTown is really starting to do this and that by 2014 we will have come a long way with thistransformation.

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