Current at: 28 February 2008
Success by Design
After 30 years in the industry, Sydney-based Karl Noonan knows a few things about kitchen and bathroom design and installation. And when he starts talking about flushing water tables and concealed plumbing, it’s clear that his expertise extends far beyond choosing taps and tiles.
Karl, who trades as Karl Noonan Designs, started working for his father as a carpentry apprentice 30 years ago.
‘Now he works for me!’ says Karl. ‘He’s 87 years old and his work is faultless.’
At first concentrating on kitchen installations, Karl soon moved into design and build. Initially he contracted to other kitchen and bathroom manufacturers, but he’s worked for himself for the past 20 years.
In 2006, after entering the HIA-NSW Housing Awards for the first time, Karl won two bathroom project awards and went on to compete as a finalist in the 2007 national awards. Clearly enthusiastic about his work, Karl says he puts 100 per cent into every project − a statement backed up by these recent award wins and the fact that all work comes to him through referrals. And while he’s very much involved in the construction side of the 15 or so projects he takes on each year, it’s the design process that he enjoys most.
‘Design is everything,’ he says. ‘It’s the fundamental element of any room − the quality of the construction and the finishes relies on a foundation of good design.’
So, when it comes to bathrooms, what is ‘good design’?
Karl’s number-one rule is to maximise space. ‘Dealing with small spaces all the time means your skills really need to be honed to get the best out of the space available.
‘In a small room it’s important to make sure the perimeters can be seen − this gives the room extra depth. Large mirrors will also help to create space.’
Karl’s second rule is to ensure that every room he designs is as practical as it is beautiful. ‘Bathrooms and kitchens should be designed so they don’t create any extra maintenance and cleaning,’ he says. ‘That means easy-clean surfaces, wall-hung everything and simple, rectangular shapes.’
In the bathroom, this also leads to improved hygiene. ‘Getting rid of all unnecessary corners, gaps and edges means there’s nowhere for grime and mould to build up.’ One of Karl’s favourite techniques is to integrate the shower recess and the vanity by placing the glass screen directly onto the vanity, which is lined with a non-porous material such as engineered stone. This eliminates any awkward gaps, resulting in a streamlined finish that is also more practical in a compact space.
Karl’s forward-thinking approach is driven by a very twenty-first century philosophy: ‘I always think your surrounds should be able to look after you. For example, you don’t want a shower recess that harbours germs and mould.’ So in order to create healthier, cleaner shower recesses that need less general cleaning and maintenance, he includes a ‘flushing water table’ in the shower pan, under the tiles and above the waterproof membrane. This water table constantly flushes out greywater, and reduces the chance of mould starting.
Adequate waterproofing and ventilation will also help create a ‘healthier’ room. Karl recommends moisture-sensitive fans, which turn on and off as required. ‘And I always install wall-to-wall, thick waterproofing – six or seven layers; two sheets of fibreglass matting and layers of liquid in between.
This means it will repel water and will also stand up to tradesmen completing construction work before the tiles go down.’
The bathroom industry has undergone several transformations since Karl started out in the 1970s, and he notes that lighting – once a purely functional inclusion – has become a key design
tool. ‘Lighting is very important – foot lighting, task lighting and LED accent lighting are all vital components of bathroom design.’
Moving outside of the requisite design and build skills, Karl says that people skills are vital to success in the kitchen and bathroom industry. ‘You need to have skills with people – I learned that a long time ago. You have to build a rapport with your clients.’
Constant collaboration with clients, he says, is also important. ‘You need to explore your client’s wishes; if you don’t include them in the process they don’t feel as though they “own” it as much.
‘I have noticed that my clients are requesting my input much more than they were 10 or 20 years ago. I draw up the plans and we then make adjustments according to their budget and needs. I get their ideas in there, they have to own it. I provide advice and options all the way through, and eventually we come to a point where we’re all satisfied.’
And, ultimately, the way the client feels about the finished project is Karl’s measure of success.
‘When a client says to me they go into the finished room and it makes them feel good; it’s a bright spot in their day − then I’ve had a success.’