Melbourne-based architect Kerry Kounnapis approaches material specification with curiosity, balancing rigour and exploration, whether it be a cafe, retail store or residential home.
In this edition of Products in Practice, he shares how a versatile timber product helped shape an award-winning hospitality interior.
What’s your favourite product right now, and what do you love about it?
At the moment, it has to be ArmourPanel. It’s extremely versatile – it’s a material that can perform across many different applications while still bringing warmth, texture and authenticity to a space. The variation in grain, colour and feature is what makes it special; no two applications are exactly the same, which gives every project its own identity.
How would you describe it in three words?
Beautiful. Dynamic. Robust.
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How have you used the panels in a recent project?
We recently specified Spotted Gum ArmourPanel throughout Palace Coffee in Melbourne. The material was integrated into wall linings, custom joinery and perforated architectural elements throughout the cafe. ArmourPanel worked beautifully alongside the sculptural oxide‑red steel elements and backlit fibreglass ceiling, as a balance for the more industrial materials. The perforated panels also allowed us to conceal services while contributing to the cafe’s layered architectural expression.
What feedback have you received from clients about it?
We always explain that the natural variation is part of its appeal. Once clients understand its natural and Australian-made origins, they often become even more excited about those unique characteristics.
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Do you have any tips for other designers looking to specify ArmourPanel?
I’d recommend spending time testing your finishing system as it can dramatically influence the final appearance of the material. If your intention is to celebrate the natural characteristics of ArmourPanel, a subtle, low-sheen or near-invisible finish often works best. At Palace Coffee, we used an Osmo finish that maintained a very raw, natural feel, which really highlighted the timber’s inherent beauty.
What’s a product or material you’re keen to experiment with?
I’d love to explore fibreglass more extensively within interior architecture. What’s fascinating is the way it interacts with light. I think there’s an opportunity to use it in subtle and unexpected ways that blur the line between lighting, furniture and architecture.