Affectionately known as the origami box and sharp edged clouds, the Adelaide Festival Centre is the cultural heart of the city. Designed by architect John Morphett and completed in 1973, it was Australia’s first multi-purpose arts centre.

Forty years later it maintains its status as a national arts icon and a great source of pride for South Australian residents. As part of the ongoing $610 million transformation, the Festival Centre’s recent refurbishment included new carpet throughout the entire venue.

The brief was to keep the design inline with the building’s heritage. The original bold patterns, a hallmark of the decade, were recreated with a custom Feltex Woven Axminster carpet. Dramatic, large-scale, geometric shapes turn the floor into an exciting and defining design factor.

Luxurious and playful, the design and deep red and purple palette, complements the retro style leather sofas, pop art prints and silver modular sculptures. The velvet, soft texture of this quality wool carpet softens the interior against the strong lines in the ceiling and sandstone brick walls.

For such a prestigious landmark on the South Australian cultural landscape, only the finest quality carpet would do. This stunning transformation paves the way for the future redevelopment of the entire precinct.

Carpet: Custom Feltex Woven Axminster carpet
Photographer: Sweet Lime Photography

Feltex