Cer Magazine International Inglese 31

Transcription

cer
Cer Magazine International n. 31 (April 2013) • ISSN 1828-1109 • year XVI
magazine
architecture
Afritects’ project
for Soweto Theatre
31
international
GUEST Philippe Starck
CERSAIE Culture and Business
INTERIORS Around the patio
MARKET Ceramica Amica handbook
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COVERINGS 2013 • ATLANTA • CERAMICS OF ITALY • BOOTH #2221
cer.start
Andrea Serri
Editor of Cer Magazine
1
The innate talent of
Italian architecture
“Where there’s architecture, there’s Italy. Being architectural
conservatives in Italy means preserving the age-old Italian energy
of continuous transformation”.
With these words, written during the last century but still
extraordinarily relevant today, Gio Ponti emphasised the deep
bond that unites architecture – the discipline of organising
human spaces – with a sense of national belonging
and the power to change. These factors still underpin
many of the sectors making up the construction industry
- including the Italian ceramic industry. This is particularly
evident in the industry’s innate talent for transformation,
which at the same time represents
an incessant quest for innovation,
a passion for making things
and a desire to attain the highest
levels of workmanship and
architectural quality.
This is demonstrated by modern
Italian ceramic tile and sanitaryware
collections at all times - when they are
shipped from factories, when they are displayed in showrooms
and when they are used in residential or other projects in Italy
or worldwide. The ability to capture the moods of the market
is reflected in the ceramic products that are unveiled
at Cersaie in Bologna and drive international aesthetic trends.
But at the same time these products are the tools that enable
architectural projects to attain the highest levels of performance.
This is a powerful symbiosis, as Gio Ponti pointed out:
“Love architecture because you are Italian or because you are
in Italy; it is not a talent limited to the Italians, but it certainly
is an Italian talent”.
ability to capture the moods
“ofThe
the market is reflected in the
ceramic products that are unveiled
at Cersaie in Bologna and drive
international aesthetic trends.
”
cer.contents
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magazine
is available for download
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editorialS
42
01 Start The innate talent of Italian architecture
by Andrea Serri
80 Exit A new culture of colour design
by Massimo Caiazzo
16
newS
22
interview
Magazine by Simona Malagoli
06 Corporate/Award/Web
12 Coverings
Ceramics of Italy goes to Atlanta by Alessia Gollini
14 Cersaie
Culture and business at the Bologna show
by Maria Teresa Rubbiani
16 Guest / Philippe Starck
A professional dreamer by Alessandra Coppa
62 Mularoni: “A 50 million dollar investment
in Tennessee” by Andrea Serri
projects
32
Interiors
22 A transparent villa by Riccardo Bianchi
28 Around the patio by Katrin Cosseta
32 Shades of grey by Benedetto Marzullo
28
58
cover photo
Soweto Theatre
Johannesburg, ZA, 2012
Project: Afritects
Ceramic surfaces:
Ceramica Vogue
Photo: Elske Photography
cer.contents
52
trend
46
68
36
38
50
76
Virtual Style / the kitchen by Imagem
A bathroom that reflects the homeowner’s
personal style by Laura Franceschi
Virtual Style / Rear window by Imagem
A thirst for nature
projects
magazine
international
Issue 31
Biannual review - April 2013
Promoted by
with the co-sponsorship of
Publishing Director
Franco Manfredini
Architecture
42
46
52
58
68
72
cer
Editor
Andrea Serri ([email protected])
Ceramic tiles, charm and perspective by Santino Limonta
For a relaxing break by Livio Salvadori
Traditional meets modern in Venice by Laura Ragazzola
A pool on the beach by Laura Maggi
The pride and joy of Soweto by Virginio Briatore
Form and performance by Alfredo Zappa
Editorial Staff
Valentina Candini ([email protected])
Simona Malagoli ([email protected])
Valentina Pellati ([email protected])
Editorial Secretariat
Barbara Maffei ([email protected])
Patrizia Gilioli ([email protected])
Contributors
Riccardo Bianchi (AD), Virginio Briatore (Interni),
Alessandra Coppa, Katrin Cosseta (Interni),
Laura Franceschi, Alessia Gollini, Santino Limonta,
Laura Maggi (Elle Decor Italia), Benedetto Marzullo
(Casamica), Laura Ragazzola (Casaviva),
Maria Teresa Rubbiani, Livio Salvadori (Casabella),
Simona Storchi, Alfredo Zappa.
Translations
John Freeman
market
Graphic Design
Fabio Berrettini, Cristina Menotti
61 All the values of Italian Ceramic Tiles
64 Accolade for customer service by Simona Storchi
Advertising
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no. 1784 on date 18-01-2006 - ISSN 1828-1109
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Printed: April 2013
Personal data processed in accordance with
Italian Privacy Law (D.L. no. 196 of 30 June 2003).
Italian ceramics
are on display at
23-27 September 2013
www.cersaie.it
www.laceramicaitaliana.it
unicom
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TRACES collection
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EVENTS
DESIGN
La Porta Del Parco,
Bagnoli (NA),
project by Silvio
D’Ascia Atelier
D’Architecture/Ati
Servizi Integrati,
3rd prize in façade
cladding and
exterior paving
category.
PASTORELLI
CASALGRANDE PADANA
McLaren Production Centre wins
Judges Special Award
Winners of
Grand Prix 2010-2012 named
The McLaren Production Centre has received the Judges Special Award
at the 25th anniversary British Construction Industry Awards, held at
the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, and attended by the elite of the
construction and engineering industry.
Opened in November 2011 by Prime Minister David Cameron, the
McLaren Production Centre is the manufacturing base of McLaren Automotive.
The production floor itself is fully flexible, with all electrical cabling and
compressed air lines concealed under removable, interchangeable ceramic tiles supplied by Pastorelli.
This allows equipment to be relocated to suit future models.
“Attention to detail was everything on this project,” says project manager
Adrian Brooks. “I’m very pleased and proud that this commitment to
excellence has been recognised by the judges of the British Construction Industry Awards, a coveted industry accolade recognising overall
excellence in the delivery of building and civil engineering infrastructure
projects. By supplying the ceramic floor tiles, Pastorelli made a significant contribution to this achievement.
The winners of the 2010-2012
Grand Prix international
architecture competition
promoted and organised by
Casalgrande Padana have
been chosen from more than
250 designers from all over
the world. The high quality of
the submissions to this ninth
edition of the competition
testifies to the growing use
and appreciation of ceramic tile
in the building sector.
Following a careful appraisal
of the works, the jury – headed
by company chairman Franco
Manfredini – chose the most
worthy recipients of the three
à www.pastorellitiles.com
à www.casalgrandepadana.it
CERAMICA GALASSIA
CERAMICA CIELO
First showroom opened
in Vietnam
Le Giare and Amedeo washbasins receive win
Good Design Award 2012
Galassia, a fast-growing
company that has recently
entered a number of new
international markets,
has opened its new
Eurostyle showroom in
Hanoi, Vietnam. Located
in a modern building,
the showroom uses a
thematic route to enable
customers to explore the
bathroom sector based
on different styles. The
elegant ambience reflects
the Galassia brand’s
image and its longstanding
passion for ceramics,
design and craftsmanship.
The showroom opening
ceremony made creative
use of music, body
Cielo has won the Good Design
Award 2012 for the Le Giare collection created by architect Claudio Silvestrin and the Amedeo
round freestanding washbasin by
Karim Rashid. First launched in
1950 by the Chicago Athenaeum
Museum of Architecture and Design, this prestigious international award selects the world’s most
innovative and original products
and architecture projects. This recognition pays tribute to the design excellence and unique blend of innovation, technology, 100%
Italian production, research and experimentation that distinguishes
all Cielo products. The Le Giare collection has already garnered
three international accolades: the recent nomination for the German Design Award 2013, inclusion in the ADI Design Index 2012 and
the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2012.
painting, plays of light and
floral arrangements as
an original and magical
backdrop to a series of
splendid ceramic vignettes.
à www.ceramicagalassia.it
à www.ceramicacielo.it
prizes for each category and
the special mentions. The
awards will be presented
during a ceremony to be held
at City Life in Milan, when the
tenth edition of the Grand Prix
competition will be officially
launched. All the selected
works will be published in a
Creative Book released with a
number of leading architecture
magazines.
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COEM
Recycling and energy
saving with Eco++
After successfully opening its first Asian flagship in October 2011 through an agreement with one of
Hong Kong’s leading bathroom furnishing distributors, Olympia Ceramica is now opening its second
outlet in Shenzhen, an important Chinese financial and commercial centre. With a floor space of
approximately 200 square metres, this stylish showroom will host the company’s most exclusive lines:
Ukiyo-e, Texture, Crystal, Nicole, Clear, Tutto and Impero.
Olympia Ceramica is seeking local Chinese partners interested in taking part in this wide-reaching
distribution concept on a franchise basis. Chinese partners who choose to promote the Olympia
Ceramica brand will receive continuous support with start-up activities, including set-up and
implementation of the flagship showroom, definition of the layout, organisation of training activities
for sales managers and showroom sales staff, product availability, technical and on-site after-sales
support, and guaranteed exclusivity of Olympia products for the dealer’s area of competence.
The company aims to extend the project to a further eight Chinese cities by the end of 2013.
Eco++ from Coem, a porcelain tile fired at a temperature
100°C lower than conventional porcelain tile certified by
Centro Ceramico di Bologna, is based on its researchers’
idea of using recycled glass not just to reduce the use of
raw materials of natural origin but also to make full use
of this material’s intrinsic energy characteristics.
Glass panels from television tubes were chosen as
the source of recycled glass due to their good technical, chemical and physical characteristics. Consisting
of uniform, high thickness (1-2 cm) glass sheets free
from impurities and with a consistent composition over
time, they satisfy high environmental, quality and safety
standards.
The tiles are produced by a standard pressing process
and then fired in kilns at a much lower temperature than
normal thanks to a carefully balanced blend of the clay
fraction and glass flux. This results
in 30% lower specific fuel consumption than a normal Ecolabel compliant porcelain tile. Eco++ also has
outstanding aesthetic quality as the
mix creates very pale coloured bodies that promote colour strength and
definition in the finished product.
à www.olympiaceramica.it
à www.coem.it
OLYMPIA CERAMICA
The conquest of SOutheast Asia
SICIS
Partnership to create
HBA’s first furniture collection
Sicis has announced a partnership with the world leader in the field of hospitality design Hirsch Bedner
Associates to create HBA’s first furniture collection for the residential and hospitality markets. Identifying an opening in the market for versatile and cutting-edge design, Sicis and a creative project team
from HBA’s Atlanta office are developing a line of furniture with an eclectic mix of aesthetics that breaks
out of the traditional stylistic mould. The two companies are approaching the project as a strategic research and multifaceted development opportunity while maintaining shared standards of unparalleled
quality and ability to meet demanding schedules. Amy Tanenbaum, Executive Vice President at Sicis
North America, commented: “Five years ago, we started incorporating furniture manufacturing into our
collection of products, responding to demand from our clients.” The company’s efforts in entering this
new business arena are now bearing fruit with the presentation of the first furniture collections developed in partnership with HBA at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2013 in Milan.
Sketch for a series of lamps, design concept by HBA for Sicis
à www.sicis.com
@
web
FINCIBEC GROUP New Monocibec, Century and Naxos websites online
As part of its efforts to promote a dialogue with customers and professionals through the use of new technologies, Fincibec Group is
restyling its brands’ websites. The new sites stand out in particular for their attractive graphics, intuitive navigation and the ample space
given to photos of mockups. However, the most important new feature is the simple but powerful internal search engines.
They can be used to quickly locate specific information and are also useful for first-time visitors interested in products from Monocibec
(www.monocibec.it), Century (www.century-ceramica.it) or Naxos (www.naxos-ceramica.it). The three brands’ extensive catalogues can
be searched using a number of parameters concurrently to rapidly arrive at a useful result. Along with parameters that are essential for
professionals such as sizes, surfaces and intended uses, there are others that are useful for people looking for inspiration, such as the
aesthetic reference and colours. The news area has also been expanded to keep visitors updated on the latest product innovations, trade
fair participations and above all the Fincibec Group events and initiatives. Last but not least, the Project and Design section offers an
overview of the most interesting projects carried out worldwide using Monocibec, Century and Naxos products.
à www.fincibec.it
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coverings
Ceramics of Italy goes to Atlanta
by Alessia Gollini
For the first time in its history,
Coverings 2013 will be held in the
George World Congress Center in
Atlanta, Georgia, where from 29 April
to 2 May more than 50 Italian tile
producers and 80 different brands
will be hosted in a Ceramics of Italy
pavilion. Organised by Confindustria
Ceramica, the focus of attention in
the tile section of the Italian pavilion
will once again be the approximately
300 square metre Ceramics of
Italy stand (# 2231), which was
completely restyled last year by the
New York-based architecture and
design practice e+i. With its improved
details such as an iPad and a 5 metre
suspended promotional structure,
this Piazza Ceramica serves as an
info point and a hospitality area
for member companies and their
American customers. The companies
that have contributed to building
the stand are Atlas Concorde,
Caesar Ceramiche, Ceramiche Lea,
Emilceramica, Fioranese, Florim
and Marazzi (ceramic tiles) and Fila
Industria Chimica, Mapei, Profilpas
and Stratos (accessory products and
services). Just as in a real Italian
piazza, at the centre of the pavilion
is a restaurant where a now wellestablished Italian culinary team
serve pasta and other authentic
Italian products to give participants
a real taste of Italy. In order to be
served, industry professionals and
customers must wear a special
VIP bracelet! The Italian pavilion
also features carpet, double-sided
banners and a suspended structure
at the centre of the stand bearing the
Ceramics of Italy mark. The regular
appointment with the International
Press Conference will take place at
16.00 on Tuesday 30 April, the second
day of the show, and will host the
presentation of the Ceramics of Italy
Tile Competition awards presented
to American architects for the best
projects carried out using Italian
ceramic tiles in the residential,
commercial and institutional
categories. To celebrate the 20th
anniversary of the competition, the
Italian pavilion will stage a digital
exhibition featuring all the winning
projects since 1994. Then from
17.30 onwards the stand will host
the Italian cocktail, including the
award presentation to the best North
American Distributor 2013, this year
assigned to Robert Hughes from
Mosaic Tile Company. Fully aware
of the need to present products in
a realistic context, Italian ceramics
will also be on display in two ongoing
installations for the hospitality and
medical sector in the Installation
Design Showcase. In this initiative,
promoted by the show organisers
and by the National Tile Contractors
Association (NTCA), teams of
designers are tasked to create three
different settings. Ceramics of Italy is
the official sponsor of one of the two
installations. Margaret Nysewander
and Michael Neiswander from
Atlanta-based practice ASD, Inc. have
created a cutting-edge bar and lounge
space using collections by several
Italian companies (Atlas Concorde,
Caesar, Ergon, FAP and Fioranese),
while Mapei donated the installation
materials. This project demonstrates
that Italian tiles are a highly
functional, colourful, sustainable
and durable material and the perfect
choice for a hospitality space.
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© Luciano Busani
design
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© Effedueotto
© Luciano Busani
CERSAIE
CULTURE AND BUSINESS
at the Bologna show
The international
exhibition of ceramic
tiles and bathroom
furnishings once
again features a packed
programme of events
and will be brought
forward by a day,
opening on Monday
à www.cersaie.it
by Maria Teresa Rubbiani
Preparations are under way for
this year’s Cersaie, International
Exhibition of Ceramic Tiles and
Bathroom Furnishings. Like
any market, the main purpose
of the event is to bring together
supply and demand, but it is also
a celebration, a feast for the eyes.
Wandering from stand to stand, our
senses take delight in the wealth of
aesthetic stimuli, in the sheer range
of colours and variety of forms.
Visiting the show one cannot help
but feel a sense of astonishment.
How can human creativity manage
to find so many new colour tones,
combinations, designs and textures
each year? And how can ceramic
technology succeed in giving form to
the images and ideas dreamed up by
designers?
And yet this is the case, as those who
have had the pleasure to visit Cersaie
are well aware. But the thousands
of people who throng to the show
(last year’s attendance totalled more
than 75,000) not only enjoy a feast
for the eyes but also have the chance
to reach out and touch the products.
And some even take off their shoes to
experience the full tactile beauty of
the products on display.
As in previous years, Cersaie 2013
will feature a number of new events
and further improved accessibility,
including the opportunity to purchase
electronic tickets from the website
www.cersaie.it so as to avoid queues
at the ticket offices. >
.
magazine
corporate
© Luciano Busani
> The initiative entitled “Cersaie designs
your home” will also be back. Just
like the service offered by specialist
magazines and websites, visitors
contemplating a house purchase or
renovation project can ask for a free
consultation from an architect at
the show. The cultural programme
“building dwelling thinking”, now in its
fifth edition, will once again be hosting
conferences of outstanding interest
in the field of architecture and design.
Although the names of the speakers
at Cersaie 2013 have not yet been
announced, they will be of the same
calibre as previous years’ guests,
who have included numerous Pritzker
prize winners such as Renzo Piano,
Kazuyo Sejima and Eduardo Souto de
Moura, as well as Mario Botta, Kengo
Kuma, Shigeru Ban and designers
such as Enzo Mari, Alessandro
Mendini, Karim Rashid and many
more. This year’s competitions
will include the second edition of
“Ceramics and design”, to be awarded
to the best Italian architecture projects
that use ceramic tiles, and the fourth
edition of “Beautiful Ideas”, the
competition to create the visual design
for the Cersaie advertising page open
to schools and Italian design students.
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© Effedueotto
© Luciano Busani
The best idea will be used for the 2014
advertising page. The image used in
2013, entitled “tiles hung out to dry”,
was created by the 2012 winner Luigi
Capraro, a student at the ISIA institute
in Faenza who wanted to evoke the
sense of normality of ceramic tiles
through the simple activity of hanging
out washing. Together with its focus
on products and culture, last year’s
Cersaie also hosted a section called
“Tiling City” devoted to all aspects
of ceramic tile installation. Given the
enormous variety of ceramic tiles now
available, a high level of technical
expertise is needed to ensure that
these products deliver maximum
performance after being installed. For
this reason, Cersaie 2013 will again be
staging a tile installation space hosting
demonstrations of tiling techniques.
As in 2012, it will be attended by
professional tile fixers and building
school students from all over Italy.
© Luciano Busani
© Luciano Busani
23 - 27 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 3
à www.cersaie.it
Entrepreneurial culture
and sense of responsibility
Casalgrande Padana has produced porcelain stoneware slabs since 1960 and we have always worked
to foster the integration between the culture of products and the entrepreneurial culture, to be interpreted as a sense of responsibility and sharing.
We feel responsible for the environment, for those who work with us and for customers, to whom
we guarantee products striking the perfect balance
between ethics and aesthetics, for example in the
Bios* line, the complete line of patented antibacte*
rial porcelain stoneware. Sharing because we produce culture and enhance design and wish to share
this with the community, starting from the assumption that the sense of beauty should be experienced
as a resource available to all and not as a privilege
for the happy few.
This is the meaning attached by Casalgrande
Padana to its entrepreneurial spirit today.
This means placing human beings and the environment always al the heart of all corporate strategies.
www.
biosinside.
com
Casalgrande Padana SPA - Via Statale 467, 73 - 42013 Casalgrande (RE) - Italia
T. +39.0522.9901 - F. +39.0522.841010
www.casalgrandepadana.com - [email protected]
claudiomancinistudio.com
Casalgrande Ceramic Cloud
The first work by Kengo Kuma in Italy was ordered by Casalgrande Padana,
constructed with porcelain stoneware slabs
and donated to the local community.
cer. interview
a professional
dreamer
Guest Philippe Starck
Philippe Starck believes that design must be poetic
and political, rebellious and benevolent, pragmatic
and subversive – and above all “ecological”. A
brilliant, cultured, self-taught designer, he is
renowned for the versatility of his creative talents.
Since the 1980s, Starck’s design work has attained
iconic status.
Philippe Starck’s wide-ranging work combines
unconventional poetic creativity with rigorous
professionalism, playfulness with irony. Ever
capable of surprising and being surprised, he
believes that design is first and foremost a “service”,
a “democratic” concept serving to make highquality objects available to the largest possible
number of people at affordable prices.
From everyday objects such as furniture and the
famous Juicy Salif citrus squeezer (Alessi, 1990)
to futuristic mega yachts, hotels that stimulate the
senses, low-impact individual wind turbines, and
recently also ceramics, his work is a political and
civic act which he accomplishes with love, poetry
and humour.
At Cersaie 2012, Starck unveiled his first ceramic
collection, Flexible Architecture for Ceramica
Sant’Agostino, which reinvents the potential of the
joints and transforms a surface covering material
into a novel architectural system.
Thomas Bilanges ©
by Alessandra Coppa
16 17
Philippe Starck’s
wide-ranging creative
INTERESTS span design and
functionality, economy
and symbolism, and
have now branched into
the ceramic sector
How do you prefer to define yourself: as a
Japanese architect, an American scenographer,
a German industrial designer, a French art
director, an Italian furniture designer, a simple
guy who allows himself the luxury of working
only for people he cares about, a dreamer, a
humanist, a pop star, or a mad inventor?
And how would you define design?
I am a professional dreamer, an explorer who
seeks to justify his existence by proposing different
solutions for his cultural tribe.
You clearly love to open doors, to ask questions,
to amaze and be amazed.
Which legend is the best metaphor for your
work: Faust, Pandora’s Box, or the Sorcerer’s
Apprentice?
Faust. I have sold my life to the devil for this mental
illness called creativity.
You have often said that you want to create
“right” objects, as Munari called them: good
objects that can make other people – your
“tribe of the heart” – feel comfortable; objects
that express more than just a function; design
“as a means of justice, honesty and validity”.
What makes an object “right”?
A good object is one that attains a good balance
between different parameters, such as function,
economy and symbolism.
Some parameters are rational and others are
immaterial. A good product, a right product offers
benefits to the end user.
You have often stressed that “this work, if
done for purely aesthetic or cultural motives, is
meaningless … there must be a kind of political
urgency about it”. What do you mean by this?
Can you give me an example of an object you
have designed that highlights how you have
redefined production and the relationship
between man and matter?
I was never interested in design or architecture.
It is design that chose me somehow. Creating is a
mental illness and is the only thing I am capable of
Creating is a mental illness and is the only thing
“I am
capable of doing. I use design as
a political weapon. I have always used my creativity
to spread ideas such as Democratic Design...
now I am continuing with Democratic Ecology
”
Above: “rooms” featuring
the Flexible Architecture
wall covering by Ceramica
Sant’Agostino and objects
designed by Philippe Starck,
including the Lou Read
armchair, Driade 2011
and the Fauteuil Blanc chair,
Privé collection, Cassina 2007
Below: tap from the Axor Starck
Organic collection, 2012
.
Above, from left to right:
Zartan chair, Magis 2011,
Gun Lamp table lamp,
Flos, 2005 and the
Louis Ghost chair
designed for Kartell in
2002 on the occasion of
its tenth anniversary
Below: a detail showing
the unique texture of
Flexible Architecture
doing. I use design as a political weapon. But it’s
a very weak tool for expressing ideas. A journalist
can change the world with an article, a politician
with a law or a singer with a song, but for me
each creation is only a single letter of a word,
so it takes a long time to express ideas. I have
always used my creativity to spread ideas such as
Democratic Design, which aims to increase quality
for the maximum of people while reducing the
price. It was a very new idea more than 30 years
ago when design was dedicated only to an elite.
I am continuing with Democratic Ecology, which
aims to create ecological products that are easy
to find and easy to use at affordable prices, such
as a personal wind turbine and more recently the
electric car. In a few months’ time, the first house
in the PATH (Prefab Accessible Technological
Homes) project will be ready.
You have teamed up with the company
Ceramica Sant’Agostino for your first ceramic
product: Flexible Architecture, where ceramic
is no longer a simple decorative covering but
an integral part of the architecture, in a new
architectural approach. Joints take on a new
connotation; how did you turn a weakness into
a strength?
The starting point was the amazing craftsmanship
and capabilities of Sant’Agostino. Then, whether
you’re designing a toothbrush, a chair, a building,
a mega yacht or a ceramic tile collection, it takes
exactly the same energy, the same concentration
I never think of stone,
“concrete
or plastic,
but always of humanity,
utility, humour
and poetry. Only
human parameters
”
18 19
Left: personal, invisible
wind turbines, Pranac,
2010 (designed in 2004)
Below: Abbracciaio
candle holders,
Kartell, 2012
and process of creation: it starts with a vision, then
leads to an ethic which in turn generates projects.
And each project must justify its existence. I only
think of the effect that my creation will have on
people. I never think of stone, concrete or plastic,
but always of humanity, utility, humour and poetry.
Only human parameters. In this case I thought of
offering some infinite options for creating one’s
own environment.
You have spoken about ceramic and its “ancient
yet modern” quality: what expressive potential
does it have that design has not yet tapped?
I believe the options are endless. For example,
at Cersaie we presented the collection in other
environments apart from the bathroom.
You have designed a series of elegant baths for
Duravit inspired by the simplicity of the bowl
form, and for Axor the Shower Collection with
a squared motif. What will the bathroom of the
future be like?
In the past the bathroom did not exist, then it became a machine for washing. This was an improvement but it was not sufficient, it was functional but
gave no pleasure. Now we don’t need to choose, we
can have everything. We can have greater efficiency
and a ‘salon d’eau’, which becomes a room for living in. There are no longer any rules. Bathtub, sinks
and so on become pieces of furniture like any other,
they can be scattered around the room, mixed with
any objects that we desire. And they become coherent with the only style of tomorrow: freedom.
> biography
Philippe Starck (born in
Paris, January 18, 1949)
is a designer and architect
with a wide range of
creative gifts. Through his
unconventional objects
whose purpose is to
be good before being
beautiful, he has been a
part of our daily lives for
more than thirty years.
After being commissioned
to work for President
François Mitterand, he
began designing furniture
for leading Italian and
international firms.
There are few areas
of design he has not
explored: from furniture
to mail-order homes,
from motorbikes to megayachts, and even artistic
direction for space-travel
projects, to name but a
few.
Philippe Starck believed in
protecting the environment
long before ecology
became fashionable.
Early on, he created the
Good Goods catalogue of
non-products for the nonconsumers of tomorrow’s
moral market, and set
up his own organic food
company. More recently he
developed the revolutionary
concept of democratic
ecology by creating
affordable wind turbines
for the home, followed by
solar-powered boats and
hydrogen cars.
authorized manufacturer
Spezzano, MO (Italy) • Tel. +39.0536.849611 • fax +39.0536.849856
www.gardenia.it • www.versacecd.com
cer.project
20 21
5
2
1
6
7
3
9
4
Interiors
1
2
3
Private villa
Mezzegra (Como), Italy - 2011
Studio Marco Piva
Mirage, Pavullo nel Frignano (Mo)
Sicis, Ravenna
Private villa
Le Rheu, France - 2007
Jean-Pierre Meignan
Casalgrande Padana, Casalgrande (Re)
Mötteliweg residential development
Zurich, Switzerland - 2011
KSA - Kyncl Schaller Architekten
Ergon, Fiorano Modenese (Mo)
8
Architecture
Outlet “Porcaro..In”
4 Aversa (Caserta), Italy - 2010
Marco Ruggiero and Davide Gallo
DAMA design
Monocibec, Sassuolo (Mo)
Bruno Service Station
5 Bilzen, Belgium - 2011
Studio5802
Gardenia Orchidea, Spezzano di Fiorano (Mo)
Carnival Palace
6 Venice, Italy - 2012
Laura Scrivere and Chiara Grimana
H.C.E. & Partners
Rex Ceramiche Artistiche, Fiorano Modenese (Mo)
Altamarea Beach Village
7 Cattolica, Italy - 2012
Tagina Ceramiche d’Arte, Gualdo Tadino (Pg)
Soweto Theatre
8 Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa - 2012
Afritects
Ceramica Vogue, Vergnasco di Cerrione (Bi)
Protoshop Lamborghini
9 Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy - 2012
Archilinea
Lea Ceramiche, Fiorano Modenese (Mo)
1
Interiors Mezzegra, Lake Como, Italy
a transparent villa
.
22 23
Left: the glass-panelled structure
that was added to the original
building during the renovation
project. The space projects
into the garden and is intended
for study, relaxation
and conversation.
Right: two views of the building:
the glass-panelled structure and
the façade looking out over the lake.
Below left: detail of the covered
terrace off the living room.
Bottom right the music area
in the living room.
At Mezzegra, on Lake Como, architect Marco Piva
has designed a glass-walled residence that appears
to MERGE into the greenery of a splendid garden
by Riccardo Bianchi, AD
In its northern section extending beyond the peninsula of Lavedo and the Villa del Balbianello,
Lake Como changes dramatically. Facing the mountains, the lake is swept clean by the swirling
vortex created by the Breva and Tivano winds, which rises from the water like a lens and renders
the landscape crystalline. Silence reigns, a sensation of peace hanging in the air. It is here at Mezzegra
that acclaimed architect and industrial designer Marco Piva found the ideal location to build
a villa for a Russian businessman client. “For him and his family – he is married with two children –
Lake Como is a legend, a passion,” he explained. “He really wanted to live here, but the chosen location
had to be fairly close to Milan where he has his business, and above all it had to be well off the tourist
track. After a long search, we found this building, a 1980s villa displaying the typically curved forms
of the period. The basic architecture was good and the construction details on the whole had been
carefully executed. But what both my client and I liked the most was the wonderful sloping garden.
And next to the house itself there was an outbuilding, part storeroom part rumpus room, that would
lend itself to novel solutions.” This anodyne, partly decayed volume in fact became the keystone
to Piva’s entire project, a kind of aesthetic and functional vanguard. “It had a pitched roof and blind
walls. We decided to keep the sloping roof because it fits in with the local building tradition, and even
chose to emphasise it by increasing the eave overhang. But we replaced the walls with full-height glass
panels.” The result was a kind of transparent ship’s bows, on one side fixed to the body of the villa
Private villa
project
Studio Marco Piva
www.studiomarcopiva.com
photos
Andrea Martiradonna
www.martiradonna.it
ceramic surfaces
Mirage
www.mirage.it
Sicis
www.sicis.it
year of construction
2011
.
spaces
private residence
applications
interior and exterior floors
(living room, kitchen, terrace)
bathroom floors and walls
ceramic surfaces
Mirage
porcelain tile
Workshop
Coffee 60x60 cm
Almond 30x60 cm
Exit Noix
certifications
Ecolabel, LEED
technical characteristics
Water absorption
(ISO 10545-3): 0.04% - 0.08%
Chemical resistance
(ISO 10545-13): UA ULA UHA
Resistance to deep abrasion
(ISO 10545-6): 133 mm3 / 135 mm3
Stain resistance
(ISO 10545-14): class 5
Frost resistance
(ISO 10545-12): compliant
Bending strength (ISO 10545-4):
49.7 N/mm2 / 51.8 N/mm2
Slip resistance
(DIN 51130): R9 - R11
Thermal shock resistance
Coefficient of linear thermal
expansion (ISO 10545-8):
6.3x10-6°C-1
Workshop
Coffee
Exit
Noix
Workshop
Almond
The kitchen with snack
counter interconnects
with the dining area.
This continuity is
emphasised by the use
of high-resistance ceramic
floor tiles chosen from
the same collection.
Below: the stairs and
master bedroom. Note the
balanced use of dark and
light tones referencing
the colours of the lake.
24 25
and on the other penetrating into the garden greenery, forcing a passage between the old trees
and creating a panoramic window with a view over the glistening surface of the lake.
“Given the importance that this architectural annex had acquired, we decided to make it the key
to the layout of the entire house, a place for study, relaxation and conversation, a protected place
that nonetheless creates the sensation of being immersed in the garden rather than looking at it from
outside.” The expressive and conceptual power of this solution influenced the remodelling work
of the rest of the property. Piva focused on light and transparency, the interplay of interior and exterior
as the key elements of his design language. He enlarged the windows, transforming them into
large panoramic glass walls that open onto spacious, rounded terraces protected by metal railings
reminiscent of the Lombard rationalist buildings of the 1930s. They lighten up the visual impact of the
shell, giving it a frame-like appearance. They have become the eyes of the interior space, reflecting the
interior redistribution work carried out by the architect to meet his client’s request for spacious
but intimate interiors, where they could spend quality time as a family or host friends in a purely private
setting. “The interior is also designed to reflect the surrounding landscape,” Piva explains.
“Everything seems to be drawn to what lies beyond the windows, meeting criteria of transparency,
Above: the double-height
living room and
the mezzanine with
the sleeping area.
Below: another view
of the glass-panelled
structure and, right,
the bedroom/playroom
of the daughter
of the owners, a Russian
couple with an enduring
passion for Lake Como.
Foto: Vincenzo Conelli
cer
magazine
.
26 27
applications
bathroom walls
mosaic surfaces
Sicis
Neoglass
Domes clear and iridescent
glass mosaic colour Satin 210.5
Colibrì
Zaira artistic mosaic panel
colours Gray Flannel, Violet,
Golden Tide
Neoglass
Domes, Satin
Colibrì
Zaira
luminosity and lightness.” This approach is reflected in the sleeping area mezzanine that projects
out over the living area and is illuminated on two sides; in the all-glass stairway that connects the two
floors of the building; in the distinctive but never invasive colours; in the presence of focal points such
as the burnished metal column fireplace in the living room; and last but not least in the fluidity of the
connecting routes. “The space is treated as a continuum, a container rather than something that divides
up functions and situations. It is a platform where the functional areas are separated not by doors but
by changes in height and the use of furniture. On the subject of furniture, together with the owner we
chose an interesting mixture of modern and contemporary classics, creating the sensation of a kind of
‘promenade’ through the history of design.” One of the most distinctive features of Marco Piva’s work is
his strong attention to details, which are so well integrated into the context that they are hardly noticeable.
This is evident in the splendid combinations of wood, glass and metal textures and in the sophisticated
ceramic floor and wall tiles from the Mirage Workshop collections chosen for the living room, kitchen
and bathrooms (which also feature the magnificent Sicis mosaics on the walls) and the Exit collection on
the terraces. “I chose them because I’ve been working with Mirage for years and I’m well aware of the
excellent quality of their products,” Piva explains. They are structural elements that make a significant
contribution to the aesthetic success of this transparent villa, designed so that the interior looks out while
the exterior blends into the natural green surroundings that slope gently down towards the lake.
Above: two views
of the dining area.
Below: the bathrooms,
showing the walls
embellished
with splendid mosaics.
2
Interiors Le Rheu, France
AROUND
the patio
by Katrin Cosseta, Interni
In a detached villa
in Le Rheu, France,
the geometric rigour
of the project is MITIGATED
by a dialogue between
interior and exterior
and the expressive power
of the chosen materials
.
28 29
Private villa
project
Jean-Pierre Meignan
www.jpmeignan-architecte.fr
photos
Benoît Gilbert
www.benoitgilbert-architecture.book.fr
ceramic surfaces
Casalgrande Padana
www.casalgrandepadana.it
distributor
Bretagne Matériaux - Rennes (F)
www.bretagne-materiaux.fr
year of construction 2007
Designed by architect Jean-Pierre Meignan, the building reinterprets the characteristics of large
modernist private homes, a triumph of perpendicularity and clean forms, a fluid and open space that
achieves a perfect balance between solids and voids and where light and nature are treated as key
themes in the design narrative. The single-level villa has a floor plan of 179 square metres and is made
up of three volumes arranged in a U-shaped layout around a central patio. The volume forming the base
of the U is used for the daytime spaces (living room, kitchen, study). The left wing houses the entrance
and incorporates a small office, a garage and a storeroom; the right wing is devoted to the sleeping
area, consisting of the master bedroom, guestroom, two children’s bedrooms and bathrooms.
The strongly horizontal layout of the building is enlivened by the slightly greater height of the central
volume, allowing the other two volumes to project below it. This creates an interesting overlapping
effect on the terraced roof. The large roof overhangs not only shade the perimeter of the patio but
Top, drawing of the south
elevation. Above, from
left: the view from the
sleeping area onto the
patio and two views of the
living room with access
to the kitchen in the
background. Below, from
left: the patio viewed from
the living room; two views
from outside of the dining
area and the living room
fireplace corner.
.
prospect south
Natural Slate
Black
Meteor
Brown
also cast strong shadows onto the facades, the exteriors of which are intentionally hard and opaque
due to the use of raw concrete while the interiors are more transparent and articulated, featuring an
alternation of glass, ceramic and concrete. The heart of the villa consists of the cuboid housing the
daytime area, which is fully glazed towards the patio to create continuity between the inside and outside
spaces. In the white, luminous interior, the functional spaces are allowed to flow seamlessly into one
another by the absence of doors and the essential linear furnishings, low units that do not disrupt the
clean lines of the walls. A bridge-like structure, a kind of open room-within-a-room, leads from the
living room to the kitchen, while a panel surrounding the fireplace separates the living room from the
study, illuminated by a side window. The kitchen, with its island layout, extends onto a wooden, bamboofenced terrace complete with a small herb garden, a carré des senteurs. Just as the daytime area is
extroverted, open and brightly lit, the sleeping area is introverted, facing onto the patio through narrow
vertical windows, almost slits of light that seem to protect the family’s intimacy. The villa’s interior
elevation extending around the courtyard is articulated by rhythmic graphic elements and different
spaces
private residence
certifications
Leed, EMAS, ISO 14001, NF Upec
applications
exterior wall
Water absorption
(ISO 10545-3): < 0.1%
Chemical resistance
(ISO 10545-13): no change
(ISO 10545-6): guaranteed
Stain resistance
Frost resistance
Bending strength
(ISO 10545-4): 45-60 N/mm2
ceramic surfaces
Casalgrande Padana
porcelain tile
Granitogres Rusticato
Natural Slate Black
porcelain tile
Pietre Native
Meteor Brown
15x30, 15x45, 30x45, 60x60 cm
Slip resistance
(DIN 51130): R10 (A+B), R10
Crazing resistance
Coefficient
of linear thermal expansion
30 31
prospect north
material effects, varying degrees of permeability that make the various functional areas of the house
instantly identifiable. A strong communicative role is also given to the ceramic tiles, which are laid
continuously both indoors and outdoors. The project can be considered as a modern, sophisticated
interpretation of the porcelain tile supplied by Casalgrande Padana and used as a compositional and
functional element of consistency between the interior living space and he open-air patio.
The chosen ceramic floor tile (Pietre Native collection, Meteor series), with its characteristic veins and
colours of stone, lends personality and material depth to the domestic interior. But it also serves as
a visual and physical link between the interior and exterior. After crossing the seamless, transparent
threshold of the living space, the same porcelain floor tile is transformed into a perimeter walkway
(marked by embedded lights) around the patio with its central wooden area and outdoor dining table.
The ceramic tiles are also used on the walls, where they are differentiated by the choice of a varied
shade texture (Granitogres Natural Slate) whose surface shimmers as the light changes.
This material, created using advanced industrial processes, combines structural and aesthetic
qualities and provides a versatile response to the various needs of a project.
Facing page: left, view
of the living room and
behind it the fireplace
area adjacent to the
study. Above, view of the
patio from the living room,
looking towards the tiled
external wall.
3
Interiors Zurich, Switzerland
Shades of grey
.
32 33
The large terrace
strips unify the design
of the facades
of the seven buildings.
A residential development in Zurich where the architecture
dialogues with the surrounding greenery without slavishly
adhering to models from the past. About a hundred
well-appointed apartments share a contemporary idiom
by Benedetto Marzullo, Casamica
Zurich is said to be the city with the highest quality of life in the world. Divided into districts,
it maintains its links with tradition while at the same time embracing innovation.
This also applies to architecture and urban planning. Affoltern is one of the city’s largest districts.
In the 1950s it experienced rapid urban growth, largely involving intensive cooperative building
developments, and reached its current population of 25,000. The area is also home to a large
residential development recently carried through by architects from the Zurich-based practice
KSA - Kyncl Schaller Architekten. The complex, located in the Mötteliweg area, consists of seven
multilevel buildings housing about a hundred new apartments. The area is very well appointed
and offers all the services that are essential for a high standard of living, from schools (including
kindergartens and nurseries) to shops and public transport. Situated close to the Geneva San Gallo
A1 motorway exit, the buildings are located in a green area and form a distinct stylistic neighbourhood
unit. The architecture tends to unify the elevations through the use of terraced horizontal strips
and large glazed surfaces. The seven buildings with four above-ground floors contain 98 spacious
apartments with an equal number of car parking spaces in the basement. All the apartments
are single-floor units; there are no duplex units. They come in various sizes: most consist
of three or four rooms plus bathroom (50 and 25 apartments, respectively) with a floor space
of between 110 and 140 square metres; the rest are two-room apartments plus bathroom
(from 63.5 to 92 square metres) as well as five apartments with five rooms plus bathroom
(154.5 square metres) for larger families. On the top floor are penthouses with large terraces.
In spite of their large dimensions, the apartments have a highly rational and schematic interior
layout. Priority was given to maximising free space and brightness. Besides the floor areas,
the apartments have a number of shared design and construction features.
Mötteliweg residential
development
project
KSA - Kyncl Schaller
Architekten
www.ksa-architekten.ch
ceramic surfaces
Ergon
www.ergontile.it
distributor
Fliesen Expò KG
www.expokg.com
construction firm
Pro Domo Architekten
www.pro-domo.ch
2011
.
The anthracite grey
colour of the ceramic
floor tiles unites the
interior and exterior
spaces.
The first and most striking is the choice of an open-plan fitted kitchen set into a corner of the living
and dining area. The living areas are very large and well lit. The floors in the interiors, terraces and
loggias run seamlessly and are clad with same ceramic tiles. The tiles used are from the Alabastro
Ultimate collection by Ergon, an Emilceramica brand, in the colour Antracite Urban Charcoal and size
30x60 cm (a total tiled surface of 18,500 sq.m). The external glazing is an integral, distinctive part of
the project, the living rooms featuring a continuous transparent window looking out over the greenery.
Another standard feature is the provision of wall closets in all apartments.
The bathrooms are fully equipped (furnishings with washbasin counter and lower section
for electrical appliances, all Class A+ like the kitchen, and built-in showers) and are windowless
with forced centralised ventilation. An automated system controls air exchange even when the
windows are closed. The buildings in the development all boast low levels of energy consumption.
In addition to the air exchange control system, the air temperature can be programmed.
The energy for heating and for sanitary hot water is provided by the city of Zurich’s district
heating system. Another major feature is the extensive home automation system.
All the doors and windows are electrically operated and the windows are fitted with integrated blinds.
In the living room, the curtains can be operated by remote control. The apartments are fully wired
and ready for Internet and cable TV (fibre) and all rooms have multiple light points and multimedia
sockets. This modern project envisages space, light, fixtures and equipment as the keys to
a high standard of living immersed in greenery.
.
34 35
spaces
urban residential
applications
ceramic surfaces
Ergon
Alabastro Ultimate
Urban charcoal
certifications
NF, UPEC
Water absorption
(ISO 10545-3): < 0.5%
Chemical resistance
(ISO 10545-13): ULA UHA UA
Resistance
to deep abrasion
Stain resistance
(ISO 10545-14): class 5
Frost resistance
Modulus of rupture
and breaking strength
(ISO 10545-4): 50 N/mm2
Slip resistance
(DIN 51130): R9
Alabastro
Ultimate
Urban charcoal
cer.trend
VirtualStyle: the kitchen
by IMAGEM www.imagem.it
Italgraniti
full-body
porcelain tile
ListoneD
Tundra Shabby
Verde 1999
glazed porcelain tile
Stark
grey
36 37
ListoneD
Tundra Shabby
Stark
grigio
Amarcord
Gradisca
Faetano
red monoporosa
Amarcord
Gradisca
(assorted accents)
Raw
Sugar
Degradé
washbasin DE 10
Unicom Starker
porcelain tile
Raw
Sugar
Simas
washbasin
Degradè
DE 10
cer.trend
A bathroom that
reflects
the homeowner’s personal style
With its adjustable
water supply
pipe, the Degradè
Renovate 55 WC
from Simas is ideal
for adapting to
existing systems
à www.simas.it
The growing importance
of the bathroom as
a domestic space has
spurred research
activities into
innovative materials
and new furnishing
solutions. Whether
requiring radical
renovation work, simple
alterations or the
creation of an entirely
new space, today’s
bathroom no longer
follows set schemes
but leaves space for
unusual arrangements
of objects with
sinuous shapes and new
colours that combine
well-being with lower
levels of consumption
by Laura Franceschi
38 39
Vasomulti WCs and
Bidetmulti bidets
from Globo can be
installed in existing
systems using curved
waste pipes
à www.ceramicaglobo.it
In the new bathroom collections, innovation
and design efforts are not limited solely to
the washbasins, showers and baths but also
extend to elements that tend to be seen as
purely functional, such as the WC and bidet.
Eco-friendly WCs and bidets allowing for
lower water consumption and consequently
a reduced environmental impact have been
developed and are available in wall-hung
or freestanding versions or recessed into
dedicated structures. Much attention is also
being devoted to the choice of furnishing
accessories. Increasingly sophisticated and
essential, they can be completely customised
to give the bathroom a more spacious and
warmer atmosphere. The 2013 bathroom
thus reflects the style of the whole house and
the people who live there.
CHANGING STYLE, QUICKLY
In the latest solutions, innovative installation
systems enable old fixtures to be replaced
rapidly, avoiding additional costs deriving
from plumbing and masonry work. The
proposals are tailored to the needs of homeowners wishing to renovate their bathrooms.
The trapezoidal shaped Degradè Renovate
WC by Simas (designed by Terri Pecora)
can be installed with a waste pipe positioning tolerance of between 60 mm and 200
mm, making it ideal for adapting to existing bathrooms. The freestanding versions
of the Vasomulti WC and Bidetmulti bidet
from Globo (designed by Creative Lab+) use
special curved waste pipes and an eccentric
water pipe connector to adapt to existing
installations. The Meg 11 line from Galassia
(designed by Antonio Pascale) has an adjustable flush system with two bends to adapt to
all situations, allowing the 55 cm WC to be
The Meg 11 WC
from Galassia has
an adjustable waste
pipe that allows the
WC to be mounted
against the wall
without having to
alter the existing
waste systems
à www.ceramica
galassia.it
.
A bathroom that
reflects
the homeowner’s personal style
The use of micro-profiles
enables the Slim shower
enclosures from Ideagroup
to be positioned on the
outer edges of the shower
enclosures level with the floor
à www.ideagroup.it
mounted against the wall without having to
alter the existing waste systems. Ideagroup is
presenting the Slim by Disenia shower solutions, which combine practicality with striking aesthetics and ease of installation. These
pivoting shower enclosures feature frameless
6 mm thick glass that can be positioned on
the outer edges of the shower enclosures
level with the floor, allowing for 30 mm adjustability on each side.
COMFORT TO MEASURE
The non-slip finish of
Madame Dai from Cielo’s
Cinquanta collection has a
texture inspired by ancient
Chinese fabrics
à www.ceramicacielo.it
The Connect sanitary
fixtures from Ideal
Standard come in a variety
of shapes and sizes and
are complemented by a
furniture line that is ideal
for the bathroom
à www.idealstandard.it
The latest collections are available in standard versions along with a wealth of custom
solutions, allowing unlimited scope for creativity in bathroom design. Cielo is presenting
the Cinquanta collection of shower trays with
a height of just 5 cm that are perfectly adaptable to the shape of the bathroom and allow
the available space to be used to the full.
While maintaining the hygienic and technical characteristics of ceramics, they also have
an unusual aesthetic and incorporate a natural non-slip effect.
The Connect line from Ideal Standard is
designed to meet the needs of homeowners
wishing either to completely renovate the
bathroom or to improve just a part of it. The
collection includes washbasins (wall-hung,
countertop, recessed or semi-recessed) combined with baths, shower enclosures, taps, accessories and furniture. Olympia has created
Ukiyo-e, an innovative and functional system
capable of entirely meeting the needs of a
small bathroom in a small space. The ceramic washbasin has a clean, simple shape and
integrates perfectly with the supporting tray
that serves as a connecting element with the
vanity top. In its Tanteante Ceramica line,
Branchetti f.lli is able to recreate ceramic
tile decorations of any size on bathroom furniture doors. The 1000 wall from Box Docce 2B combines a minimalist aesthetic with
important functional qualities and is always
built to measure. The modern concept of
bathroom has been transformed into a place
for psychological and physical regeneration
and well-being. The One series from Isa Bagno reflects this trend, using integrated LEDs
in the mirror to create a spa atmosphere
with a colour therapy effect.
.
40 41
With Tanteante Ceramica from
Branchetti f.lli the beauty of
ceramics is reproduced on the
furnishing elements, creating
unusual combinations of materials
The Ukiyo-e concept from Olympia
integrates the washbasin with
a supporting tray. The mirror
features a support for attaching
accessories
à www.fbranchetti.com
à www.olympiaceramica.it
The 1000 corner entry shower
enclosure from Box Docce 2B
with outward-opening
pivot door is always
custom made
The One collection from Isa Bagno
consists of low-thickness elements
and handles designed to blend
in with the composition
and create a sense of continuity
à www.boxdocce2b.com
à www.isabagno.it
PRODUCTS GALLERY
The spring/summer 2013 collection of italian
ceramic tiles and sanitaryware can be seen online at:
www.laceramicaitaliana.it/products
4
Architecture Aversa (CE), Italy
CERAMIC TILES, charm
and perspective
42 43
di Xxxxx Bianchi
Porcelain floor tiles
serve as the unifying element
in a clothes retail space
The images show
the strong contribution
made by the ceramic
tiles to the project’s
overall aesthetics.
by Santino Limonta
The new “Porcaro..In” showroom, a seven hundred square metre menswear outlet recently
opened in the southern Italian town of Aversa, is housed in a low cuboid shaped building that was
in a very poor state of repair at the time of purchase owing to a lack of maintenance.
The roof, which consisted solely of insulating sandwich panels supported by a light steel framework,
was subsequently demolished and rebuilt allowing for the installation of air conditioning systems.
The entire structure, formerly used as a gym, was stripped and remediated by means of infills,
counterwalls and the injection of concrete into a damaged supporting beam.
The façade of the volume, including the two false columns that delimit the property on either side, was
entirely clad with white pre-painted galvanised bent steel sheet. Two full-height windows allow
a clear view of the showroom and display the store name “Porcaro..In” in large letters.
Small wooden platforms and theatrical light projectors create a distinctive visual effect in
the small window space. Square panels of oak wood and white sheet metal in a chequerboard pattern
(a kind of signature of the architectural practice DA.MA. design) serve to lighten the visual impact of
the steel entrance door. The interiors, characterised by rationality, elementary forms and pale colours,
extend over two levels: one raised with respect to street level and the other a basement,
originally only accessible by a stairway located almost half way across the upper level.
Architects Davide Gallo and Marco Ruggiero immediately had the idea of turning the staircase
around so as to create a vantage point at the entrance where customers could view both the raised
floor and and part of the basement, allowing them to choose whether to go up or down.
Outlet “Porcaro..In”
project
Marco Ruggiero
and Davide Gallo
DAMA design
www.dama-design.com
photos
Luciano Busani
www.myspace.com/
busaniluciano
ceramic surfaces
Monocibec
www.monocibec.it
distributor
Centro Ceramiche Di Tella
2010
spaces
commercial spaces
certifications
LEED
applications
interior and exterior floors, exterior walls
Water absorption
(ISO 10545-3): < 0.5%
Chemical resistance
Stain resistance
Frost resistance
Bending strength
(ISO 10545-4): 35 N/mm 2
Crazing resistance
Coefficient
ceramic surfaces
Monocibec
porcelain tile
PrimoPiano
Bone, 50x100 cm
Cerulean, 50x50 cm
PrimoPiano
Bone
PrimoPiano
Cerulean
44 45
In the present layout, the upper floor – two hundred square metres in a single open space
of width equal to that of the facade – is reached by ascending a short flight of concrete stairs clad
with grey peperino marble slabs on the right.
A glass balustrade protects against accidentally falling into the opening created on the left by the
partially retracted floor slab, where a new freestanding steel staircase leading down to the basement
has been installed. The floor area of the basement is more than double that of the upper floor
following the purchase of the basement of an adjoining property. As the architects are the first to
point out, the unifying element of the project is the use of ceramic tiles. “The most important choice
was that of the floor covering, where we wanted a visually simple product that at the same time
would enhance the surface and the perspective.
The PrimoPiano series from Monocibec fully met our needs with a large-format tile
(50x100 cm in colour Bone) and a rough surface finish. We chose the same series for some
of the walls in the modular format and Cerulean colour.”
The furnishings were all specially designed and commissioned from local artisans. An interesting
effect was created by mounting exterior wood parquet vertically on a wall. As well as standard
lighting on the sales counters and along the distribution routes, the client specifically asked for direct
illumination of the items of clothing using lighting fixtures capable of emphasising individual details.
However, apart from the front store windows, natural light enters only through basement window
wells and a few small openings. External accent lighting is provided by two bidirectional fixtures
mounted on the columns and by recessed spotlights under the cantilevered roof.
Above, the new steel
staircase leading
to the basement
and the wall clad
with exterior grade
parquet.
5
Architecture Bilzen, Belgium
for a
relaxing break
A service station that meets motorists’ every need.
A comfortable and relaxing rest stop
offering high-quality functional services
.
46 47
The colour design
and meticulous choice
of materials creates
a welcoming
and comfortable space
that stands out for its
exclusive furnishings.
Xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
by Livio Salvadori, Casabella
Choosing a service station to stop at during a car journey might seem a simple decision…
one’s just like another. But in reality that’s not the case. Especially when driving
on a familiar route, motorists tend to choose service stations that are most efficient,
comfortable, cheap, friendly and professional. After all, it’s worth driving a few extra miles,
fuel permitting, and stop off where you can be sure to find the service that only
a well-established chain is able to offer. This was the concept behind the restyling operation
pursued by the Bruno Group, a business run by a Belgian family with Italian origins
that operates successfully in the service station sector. Aiming to expand their operations
and further strengthen their already well established brand name, the owners put together
a strategy that involved upgrading existing service stations and creating new ones
in accordance with the latest performance models. In particular, they chose to adopt
a coordinated planning approach based on contemporary design.
Together with the architects from Studio5802, they developed a new concept
of fully-equipped cutting-edge service station with meticulously designed furnishings
and detailing where motorists and customers would be able to enjoy a pleasant
and relaxing break from their journey.
The service station is built to proven standards of construction and has a clearly recognisable
architectural identity. The sober and rational style of the exterior is reflected in the solutions
adopted for the interiors, where the overall spatial vision stands out for the
use of sophisticated furnishings. The colour design and meticulous choice of materials
helps create a space that is welcoming but offers strong visual contrasts, creating a warm,
Mediterranean atmosphere. Sophisticated and contemporary materials were chosen to
complement the interior architecture: Corian® for the restaurant surfaces; metal for the false
ceilings where the lighting and air-conditioning systems are housed; and porcelain for the
floor, which was entirely paved with large-format tiles from Gardenia Orchidea’s Infinity Stone
series in an elegant juxtaposition of grey and black.
Bruno Service Station
project
Studio5802
www.studio5802.nl
photos
Luciano Busani
www.myspace.com/
busaniluciano
ceramic surfaces
Gardenia Orchidea
www.gardenia.it
distributor
Verbeemen Tegelambacht Nv
construction firm
D&V workmanship bvba
www.workmanship.be
2011
.
The porcelain tiles
that entirely cover
the floor help create
a consistent overall
image.
Infinity Stone
Black
Infinity Stone
Grey
spaces
exhibition,
rest and catering spaces
applications
interior floor coverings
ceramic surfaces
Gardenia Orchidea
porcelain tile
Infinity Stone
Black and Grey
60x60, 30x120, 120x120 cm
Water absorption
(ISO 10545-3): ≤ 0.5%
Chemical resistance
(ISO 10545-6): class 5
Stain resistance
Frost resistance
Modulus of rupture
(ISO 10545-4): ≤ 35 N/mm 2
Slip resistance
(DIN 51130): group B
Coefficient
Crazing resistance
The meticulous design has produced a consistent overall vision in which a number of leading
brand names are highlighted through the use of islands and dedicated points of sale, although
they remain perfectly integrated into the overall layout and are an integral part of the user’s
overall experience.
Examples include the Lavazza lounge bar and the luxury pastry bakery, which offers the widest
range of sandwiches, pizzas and other freshly baked Mediterranean specialities available in
Belgium or Holland, all guaranteed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For the larger sites, the project involved developing a new type of station with an exhaustive
layout, an integrated multiservice centre that would cater for motorists’ every need. This new
concept of rest and service station includes a pastry bakery, a store, a high-quality restaurant,
a car rental service, a carwash and a secure car park, all rigorously designed, implemented,
operated and guaranteed by the Bruno Group’s trademark.
48 49
The metal false ceiling
is balanced by the
monochrome black
floor, only occasionally
interrupted by grey
geometric variations.
cer. trend
VirtualStyle: rear window
Waterproofing
system
Infinity Stone
Noce
by IMAGEM www.imagem.it
Mapei
waterproofing and ceramic tile installation
system for terraces with footfall
soundproofing
sealant: Mapesil AC
grout: Keracolor GG
adhesive: Keraflex Maxi S1
rubberised tape: Mapeband
polypropylene Tnt: Mapetex Sel
waterproofing: Mapelastic Smart
screed: Topcem Pronto
soundproofing panel: Mapesilent Panel
Gardenia Orchidea
Infinity Stone
Noce
Century
porcelain tile
Two.0
Terra
Two.0
Terra
50 51
Hard Rock Beton
Grey
Newood
Brown
Naturalia
Nut
Tagina
high thickness porcelain tile
Hard Rock Beton
Grey
Casalgrande Padana
Granitoker, Newood
Brown
Rondine
Naturalia
Nut
6
Architecture Venice, Italy
Traditional
meets modern
in Venice
A sophisticated renovation project for a four-star hotel
combines the beauty of the past with contemporary functionality
.
52 53
The hotel façade with
the main entrance overlooking
the Cannaregio Canal (facing
page). The lobby is a few steps
higher than the threshold
to protect it from Venice’s
frequent floods.
by Laura Ragazzola, Casaviva
Carnival Palace in Venice is an exclusive, sophisticated four-star hotel housed in a redeveloped
1950s office building. Strategically located close to the railway station and Saint Mark’s Square,
its rooms offer views onto the Cannaregio Canal with its vaporetti or onto a small but luxuriant
internal garden, a haven of peace and tranquillity. Nearby is the Jewish quarter with its splendid
campi, one of the few areas of Venice that still retain the atmosphere of old.
But in spite of its splendid location, the redevelopment project was particularly complex due
to the poor state of repair in which the building had languished for a number of years.
The project brief was to restore the building in keeping with the magic and history of this old maritime
city. “We wanted to create a hotel with an elegant, harmonious atmosphere inspired by the Venetian
tradition,” explained Laura Scrivere, the architect from H.C.E. & Partners who together
with her colleague Chiara Grimana masterminded the hotel renovation project.
“This is reflected even in the name of the hotel - Carnival - inspired by one of the most famous
Venetian traditions, and the logo in the shape of a mask, or bautta.
Carnival Palace
project
Laura Scrivere
and Chiara Grimana
H.C.E. & Partners
www.hceandpartners.it
photos
Mirco Toffolo R.
www.photoinvenice.it
ceramic surfaces
Rex Ceramiche Artistiche
www.rex-cerart.it
distributor
Finalmenteacasa
www.finalmenteacasa.com
2012
The lounge with black
and white décor.
The striking byzantine style
alcoves are embellished
by a gold leaf coating.
.
Below, the self-service
breakfast area.
The floor is covered
with large-format
porcelain tiles with
black decorative insets.
spaces
public hospitality spaces
applications
interior floors in common
areas (lobby, bar, dining room)
bathroom floors and walls
ceramic surfaces
Rex Ceramiche Artistiche
porcelain tile
I Bianchi di Rex
Calacatta and Sorrento
Pietra del Nord
Bianco
Extra Light
Zinc
certifications
LEED
Water absorption
(ISO 10545-3): < 0.1%
Chemical resistance
(ISO 10545-13): GLA
(ISO 10545-6): class IV
Stain resistance
Frost resistance
Bending strength
(ISO 10545-4): > 40 N/mm 2
Slip resistance
(DIN 51130): R9
Coefficient
Crazing resistance
I Bianchi di Rex
Calacatta
I Bianchi di Rex
Sorrento
Pietra del Nord
Bianco
Extra Light
Zinc
“We wanted the restoration project to maintain architectural continuity with adjacent buildings.
For the façade fronting the canal and the other two smaller elevations which look out over
an internal garden and a splendid square, we opted for volumetric and colour solutions
that would reflect the complexity and beauty of Venice.”
“The interior design project was based on the same concept,” continued Chiara Grimana.
“We wanted to recreate that rich, sumptuous style for which Venetian buildings are renowned
all over the world.”
Displaying exquisite feminine taste, the two designers combined fabrics and elegant finishes
with splashes of intense colour inspired by the canvases of Titian and Canaletto.
The décor in the 56 rooms and 11 suites is based on the reds and blues of iridescent wallpaper,
the black and white of the soft quilted leather of the bed headboards, and the gold and silver
of the mirrors and lights. But the elegance of the interiors is achieved without sacrificing
the modern functionality essential in a hotel. Contemporary surface covering materials were
adopted, especially in spaces requiring durable, low maintenance solutions such as the bathrooms
and high-traffic areas. For this reason, porcelain tile was chosen for the floors and walls
of bathrooms throughout the hotel.
54 55
Above, the sophisticated,
elegant bar and lounge.
Left, the meeting room
which complements
the services offered
by the hotel.
56 57
Inspired by the veins of Calacatta marble, the selected tiles (“I Bianchi” collection from Rex) create
neutral surfaces that blend perfectly with the style of each room. But many of the solutions adopted
were created specially for the project, such as coloured LED lights illuminating the shower tray clad with
minuscule mosaics and the washbasin decorated with glass-covered gold or silver leaf according to the
finish chosen for the room. Another unique idea was that of installing the bath on the small terrace that
is a shared feature of the 40 square metre suites.
Porcelain tiles are also used in the lobby but in an 80x80 cm extra large format and laid diagonally
to enhance the sense of space (“Pietra del Nord”, also from Rex). The inclusion of a black inset (8x8
cm) breaks up the monotony of the all-white surface and creates a chequerboard motif. The elegantly
tiled floor is in complete harmony with the splendid reception desk decorated with glass-covered gold
leaf and the handmade cabinet with geometric motifs housing the computer and hotel registration
documents.
Last but not least, a small garden offers a quiet green haven of peace, the ideal place for relaxing and
meeting. Perhaps Ernest Hemingway, one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century, was right
when he said of Venice: “When I’m here I feel that at last I am where I belong.”
Two of the hotel
bathrooms: the same
porcelain tile reproducing
the veins of Calacatta
marble, complemented
by a black mosaic strip.
The bath and shower
enclosure adopt different
layouts, while the vanity
supporting the washbasin
(with glass-covered gold
or silver leaf inserts)
alternates minimalist
forms with a soft rococo
style. Below, three
of the hotel’s 67
rooms, all with different
furnishings and colours.
7
Architecture Cattolica, Italy
A pool
on the beach
Views of the ceramic
tile paving around the
swimming pool laid
directly on the sand
and also used
in the gym area.
.
58 59
in Cattolica features
a ceramic paving set
in the sand
by Laura Maggi, Elle Decor Italia
The Altamarea Beach Village in Cattolica was set up in 2002 by a group of eleven highly
experienced beach attendants who dreamed of creating the largest tourist village
on the Romagna Riviera. This ambitious project had the original idea of using a colour code
to identify areas aimed at different categories of users. The Yellow area is for families
with children (facilities include a children’s club, a nursery, a shaded and fenced play area
with babysitting service, a creative workshop and internet point); Orange for wellness
and relaxation (with whirlpools and colour therapy, as well as dance floors
and entertainment); Red for young people and sports enthusiasts (facilities include
a gym, swimming pool, beach volleyball, basketball, football, bowling and an amusement
area). In this wide-ranging resort focusing on wellness, entertainment and sport,
the multifunctional spaces are tailored to guests’ expectations and desired pace
of holiday. Facilities include a quiet reading area with relaxing ethnic décor, a fitness
and swimming area with a water blade pool, a children’s pool with aquatic games,
both of which use heated salt water, as well as hydrobike and water aerobics courses.
The swimming pool in the Red coded area, the largest open-air pool to be found anywhere
along Cattolica beach, recently underwent a paving renovation project that extended
to the gym area. This innovative project involved placing ceramic tiles directly
on the sand using tiles from the Woodays collection from Tagina Ceramiche d’Arte.
ceramic surfaces
Tagina Ceramiche d’Arte
www.tagina.it
2012
.
spaces
bathing establishment
applications
external paving
and swimming pool surround
ceramic surfaces
Tagina Ceramiche d’Arte
porcelain tile
Woodays
Rovere decapato
Listellato compact
61x61 cm
(thickness 20 mm)
Fondo classic
15x92 cm
(thickness 12 mm)
Water absorption
(ISO 10545-3): ≤ 0.2%
Chemical resistance
(ISO 10545-13):
GA - GLA GHA
Resistance
to deep abrasion
(ISO 10545-6): PEI IV
Stain resistance
Frost resistance
Modulus of rupture
(ISO 10545-4): 56.7 N/mm 2
Slip resistance
DIN 51130: R9 (Woodays IN)
R11 (Woodays OUT)
DIN 51097: Classe A+B+C
Woodays
Rovere decapato
Close up
of the ceramic tiles
in the swimming pool
area showing
the texture similar
to oak wood.
The chosen product was the Compact 2 cm, 61x61 cm size, specially designed
to be installed without the need for adhesive and in difficult situations such as
on sand, gravel or grass. The perimeter edge of the swimming pool paving also uses
the 12 mm thick tile in the same colour and a 15x92 cm size.
The result is a continuous, attractive surface in which the hard-wearing qualities
of ceramic are combined with the natural appeal of wood. The sensation is that of walking
across a large natural sand-coloured platform before plunging into the pool.
Woodays combines the beauty and warmth of wood with the practicality and durability
of ceramics. With its natural aesthetics and its palette in keeping with the colours of the
location, the ceramic tile paving is a key element of an environmentally-friendly project.
Altamarea Beach Village boasts UNITER ISO 14001 certification and in 2007 was granted
Cattolica Bandiera Blu (blue flag) status by the environmental education foundation F.E.E.
as an eco-sustainable bathing establishment with the best services on the Adriatic Riviera.
A member of the Italian Ecospiagge network, it promotes separate waste collection,
uses photovoltaic panels and solar thermal energy, recycles shower water for irrigation
and encourages guests to participate in ecological initiatives such as the ECOBEACHDAY,
an event sponsored by ARPA Emilia Romagna.
cer.market
All the values
of Italian
ceramic tiles
The handbook
Ceramica
Amica helps
consumers
make an
informed and
responsible
choice of Italian
ceramic tiles
60 61
Everything you need to know before
purchasing Italian ceramic tiles,
useful tips for achieving a longer lasting
installation, a guide to the various
environmental certifications and
instructions for installation of the tiles these are just some of the contents
of Ceramica Amica, the handbook produced
in English by Confindustria Ceramica
which reveals the secrets of ceramic tiles
to enable consumers to make an informed
and responsible choice.
This practical 24-page handbook is divided
into three sections. The first section
explains what modern Italian ceramic tiles
are and lists the factors that distinguish
them from alternative materials,
including their characteristics
of environmental sustainability.
The second part consists of eight drawings
of the various rooms in the home (bedroom,
living room, bathroom, terrace, etc.)
showing where Italian ceramic tiles
can be used as a surface covering material.
The third part looks at selection,
installation (including multiple tile sizes),
post-installation cleaning and day-to-day
maintenance. The handbook also discusses
the values of the Ceramics of Italy mark
and the use of Italian ceramic tiles
in non-residential applications (shopping
centres, airports, offices, schools, etc.).
A pdf version is freely consultable
on the websites www.laceramicaitaliana.it,
www.cersaie.it and www.confindustriaceramica.it.
Ceramic tile and bathroom furnishing
retailers/showrooms interested in making this
useful guide available free of charge to their
customers should send a request by email
to [email protected] indicating
the number required and the address
they should be sent to.
cer.
interview
Mularoni:
“A 50 million dollar
investment in Tennessee”
Del Conca Group received a special
present for Christmas 2012: finalisation
of the agreement to build the new
facility in Loudon, Tennessee. The project
involves an initial investment of 50 million
dollars in a plant that will have an
output of 3 million square metres and
will create 100 new jobs. The business
plan for the project also envisages
an increase in the budget to 70 million
dollars in the medium term to finance
doubling of the production volumes if
permitted by the US market conditions
(12% growth to November 2012). We spoke
to Enzo Mularoni, CEO of Del Conca and
the architect of the entire operation
by Andrea Serri
Mr Mularoni, the first shipments of Americanmade products are due for the start of 2014.
After a long period of reflection that prompted
comments such as ‘You’re just saying that, you’ll
never actually do it’, we decided to build a plant
in Tennessee. The United States is an excellent
market for Del Conca and we also know that
American consumers could potentially substitute
a portion of Italian imports with domestic
purchases, which benefit from cheaper and
quicker transport, the absence of tariffs and the
flexibility to deliver small quantities and not just
full containers. Having a manufacturing presence
in the United States will enable us to improve our
service and offer shorter response times, as well as
serving the distribution system with large volumes.
In Tennessee we will produce large quantities of
standard products, which make up the biggest
portion of demand, whereas high-end products
such as Del Conca Fast, large sizes and wall tiles
will be imported from Italy.
.
62 63
This is an internationalisation operation
“because
investing abroad will also enable us
to provide better support for Italian-made
products, which we have continued to invest
in over recent months.
”
Internationalisation or delocalisation?
This is an internationalisation operation because
investing abroad will also enable us to provide
better support for Italian-made products, which
we have continued to invest in over recent months.
The 5 billion euro of investments in Italy serve to
keep our facilities up to date and to provide all the
equipment we need to manufacture increasingly
innovative products, such as Del Conca Fast and
Thermatile. In the United States we’re going to be
producing 3 million square metres of tiles whereas
here in Italy we produce around 12 million
square metres each year, so we’re obviously not
abandoning the ship.
What characteristics will the American factory
have?
Although we do produce other product types, we
are first and foremost porcelain tile specialists and
in the United States we will be producing highquality porcelain. There’s plenty of feldspar and
clay in Tennessee and the state is well connected
with the country’s major roads.
We chose the county of Loudon, quite a long way
from other Italian producers, in order to replicate
our current model: although we are well aware
of the values of operating in a cluster, our Italian
factories are located outside the Sassuolo district.
What market segments are you aiming at?
We will operate prevalently in the United States and
Canada, where we will be offering a service to our
existing clientele and aim to use our knowledge
and expertise in those markets to increase our
market share. We intend to serve both Home
Center chains and specialist distributors, without
ruling out the possibility of further growth.
What are the consequences of becoming a
multinational company?
The workload changes significantly because of the
greater distances involved and the need to take
account of different customs and traditions. We
aim to combine our ceramic expertise with the
knowledge of local professionals who have a deep
understanding of American culture.
We will have a small number of highly qualified
Italian specialists alongside other administrative,
productive and commercial figures who will
gradually become autonomous.
Your son Paolo has been appointed President of
Del Conca USA.
Children grow up and it’s good for them to take
on a bit of responsibility. This doesn’t mean that
I intend to take a back seat or leave the stage, I
just want to bring family members and Group
directors on board so that they can work alongside
me in carrying through this ambitious project. I’m
pleased that my son has taken on this responsibility.
We’ll certainly give him all our support; after
gaining experience of the world I believe it’s time
for him to join the fray.
Is there anything that has surprised you in the way
this venture has been carried through?
I already knew that the United States welcomes
business, and this venture has provided further
confirmation of this. If you invest in the United
States you are seen to be making a positive
contribution to society, so the institutions do
everything they can to help you.
This includes training, connecting up utilities
and providing infrastructures, which are funded
and built by the local authorities. Rather than
dollars they provide tax credits that encourage
investments in one location rather than another.
In this respect it has been a great experience from
which I think we have a lot to learn.
Aerial view of the
Ceramica Del Conca
factory in San Clemente
(Rimini).
cer.market
Accolade for
customer
service
.
64 65
The Salameh Group
showroom extends
over two floors in
a building located
in the Beer Hassan
area and has large
and brightly lit
display spaces.
Ihab salameh, winner of the Cersaie Distributor Award 2012,
discusses his strategy in Lebanon and the Middle East
by Simona Storchi
“We’re very pleased to have won the Cersaie
Distributor Award. It’s a big honour,” commented
Ihab Salameh, managing director of Salameh
Group. A multimillion-dollar family-owned
business and leader in the Lebanese market, the
Beirut-based group specialises in distribution and
sales in the ceramic tile, sanitaryware, taps and
bathroom furnishings sector. It has more than
100 employees at three showrooms and an annual
turnover of around 20 million euro. Honoured as
one of the best distributors of 2012 at Cersaie, the
award was collected by Ihab Salameh along with
the group’s sales manager Issam Mahmoud.
The company was set up in 1993 by Ihab’s
uncle Mohammad Nemer Mahmoud, then
an employee, who began selling a number
of ceramic products and tiles. Now 80 years
old, the founder oversees the family business
Salameh Ceramica, today the leading distributor
in Lebanon. In the large boutique showroom
located in the Beer Hassan area near Beirut’s
international airport, the group’s clientele of
contractors, architects, interior designers and
the general public can admire a wide range of
ceramic tiles, natural stone, mosaics, sanitaryware
and bathroom furnishings and accessories.
In almost 20 years of business the group has
built up strong credibility and goodwill and
offers the services of a highly specialised team
of employees and sales personnel who can meet
all customers’ needs. It works with around thirty
international suppliers, each of whom offers
about ninety collections. Some 60% of these
brands are Italian. “Italian producers have led
the market for decades in terms of quality, design
and innovation,” the managing director explains.
“Advanced technology is another of their key
THE SALAMEH GROUP
Founded in 1993,
the Group is based
in Beirut, Lebanon.
It is a national leader
in the distribution
and sale of surface
covering materials,
ceramic tiles, mosaic,
sanitaryware, taps and
bathroom furnishings
and accessories.
The Group has three
showrooms (800 sq.m,
200 sq.m, 300 sq.m)
and an approximately
30,000 sq.m warehouse
in the new area of Beer
Hassan, north of Beirut’s
international airport.
The Salameh Group, led
by the founder’s nephew
Ihab Salameh, employs
around a hundred people
and has an annual
turnover in the region
of 20 million dollars.
It works with numerous
Italian companies.
Ihab Salameh, managing director
of Salameh Group, together
with Franco Manfredini, chairman
of Confindustria Ceramica.
almost 20 years of business the group has built up strong credibility
“andIn goodwill
and offers the services of a highly specialised team
of employees and sales personnel who can meet all customers’ needs.”
.
LIST OF BRANDS
Ceramic tiles
- Alfa Lux Ceramiche
- Ceramica Sant’Agostino
- Cerasarda
- Cercom
- Cotto d’Este
- Edilcuoghi
- FAP Ceramiche
- Flaviker Pisa
- La Fabbrica
- Monocibec
- Naxos Ceramiche
- Pastorelli
- Provenza
- Serenissimacir
Sanitaryware,
accessories and taps
-gedanextage.com
- devon and devon.com
-kerasan.it
-FIR-italia.it
-ceramicacielo.it
-arblu.it
-archeda.eu
-mastella.it
Installation materials
-litokol.it
strengths and is a competitive advantage for us
too as we can propose it to our customers.
If on the other hand price is an important factor,
products from other countries are preferable.”
The three showrooms have a display area of 1,300
square metres and exhibit the latest products
in the sector, from interior and exterior tiles to
spa furnishings. “Our strength lies in our ability
to welcome customers and meet their needs
effectively, using new computerised tools such as
3D design to assist them through all steps of the
sales process and with after-sales support,” added
Mr Salameh. The Group’s business also includes
exports, largely to Africa and China where it
has branches and accounts. “We have a 30,000
square metre warehouse for product storage and
shipment. Through an account in South Africa
we work with Gabon, Angola and Congo. In
these countries a number of Lebanese firms are
involved in infrastructural and urban planning
projects, so we supply them with products and
solutions.”
Exports to Africa and the Middle East are growing
constantly (as a member of the Arab League, the
Lebanese economy is strongly integrated with
neighbouring Arab states and other countries
in the Middle East) and domestic turnover
remains strong in spite of the negative impact
of the global economic crisis and the fact that
Lebanon’s borders are still not secure. In the first
half of 2012 the value of real estate transactions
in Lebanon rose by 7.8% compared to the first
half of 2011, reaching 4.15 million dollars to
June 2012 compared with 3.85 million dollars
the previous year (source ICE). “The real estate
sector is expanding rapidly due to substantial
national and international investments, sustained
by financing and loans at preferential rates. Our
Group is clearly benefiting from this,” concluded
Salameh.
have a 30,000 square metre warehouse
“forWeproduct
storage and shipment. Through an account
”
in South Africa we work with Gabon, Angola and Congo.
.
66 67
The showroom,
where customers
can pick up literature
(catalogues and brochures)
and get a close-up view
of the many tiles
and sanitary articles
on display.
8
Architecture Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa
The pride and joy
of Soweto
Commissioned by the municipality of Johannesburg
and designed by young architects from the local practice
Afritects, the Soweto Theatre carries on the great theatrical
and musical tradition of the South African people
.
68 69
by Virginio Briatore, Interni
Soweto Theatre
The word Jabulani has become familiar the world over as the name of the official match
ball used for the last football World Cup held in South Africa in 2010. After becoming famous
for a ball that followed an unpredictable path through the air, the word has now returned
to the attention of the world’s media thanks to a courageous example of cultural and social
architecture. Inaugurated on 15 May 2012, the Soweto Theatre designed by the practice
Afritects is located in the Jabulani district of Soweto, South Africa. Notorious in the days
of apartheid, Soweto (an acronym for South Western Townships) is the most populous area
of Johannesburg, which in turn is the largest metropolitan area of South Africa. Built as part
of a large-scale urban redevelopment project costing around 13 million euro, Soweto Theatre
is a new urban landmark and the cultural hub of an enormous area that is slowly overcoming
its social and economic difficulties nineteen years after the first free, multiethnic elections
were held in 1994. The client, the City of Johannesburg Property Company, wanted to engage
citizens and promote a sense of belonging. In particular, it wanted the design of the external
envelope to highlight the community purpose of the building. The structure of the theatre’s
external volumes reflects the different uses of each space.
project
Afritects
www.afritects.com
photos
Elske Photography
www.elske-photography.co.uk
ceramic surfaces
Ceramica Vogue
www.ceramicavogue.it
distributor
Hitek Ceramics
2012
.
Trasparenze
Cobalto
spaces
cultural and entertainment venues
applications
external façade and interior walls
ceramic surfaces
Ceramica Vogue
Porcelain tile
Trasparenze
various colours
certifications
LEED
Water absorption
(ISO 10545-3): 2.5%
Chemical resistance
(ISO 10545-13): GB min
(ISO 10545-6):
depending on the colours
Stain resistance
Frost resistance
Modulus of rupture
(ISO 10545-4): 40 N/mm 2
Crazing resistance
Coefficient
Trasparenze
Oltremare
Trasparenze
Cedro
Trasparenze
Pompelmo
Trasparenze
Rosso
Trasparenze
Corallo
.
The curved shapes and bright colours achieved by using simple but perfect 10x10 cm
ceramic tiles (Trasparenze series from Ceramica Vogue in colours Cobalto, Oltremare, Cedro,
Pompelmo, Rosso and Corallo) and the different dimensions of each block spark curiosity
and invite the observer to enter. When assembling the volumes, colours and shapes,
the young, multiethnic group of architects from Afritects drew inspiration from children’s toys.
As Johannesburg’s director of arts, culture and heritage Steven Sack explains, the theatre was
designed in the form of a shoebox because the latest research conducted in Canada
and the UK has shown that this is the ideal shape for the purposes of acoustics and sound
insulation. Noting that 40% of the population of Johannesburg lives in Soweto, he added
that it is more practical to bring the theatre to a million people than a million people
to the theatre! During the 4-year design phase, the architects examined a number of theatres
in South Africa and other countries with the aim of transferring all the best practices to the
Soweto Theatre project. An internationally renowned specialist oversaw all the technologies
needed to ensure the best acoustic and lighting performance. Intended for theatrical
performances as well as music, dance and concerts by Soweto’s famous gospel choir,
the building extends over two levels and three main blocks. The largest block has a fixed stage
and 420 seats and is equipped with a fly tower and a space for the orchestra.
The other two volumes have 180 and 90 seats respectively and are more flexible in terms
of the stage and seating layout. The public space outside the theatre, with a large marquee
to offer protection from the rain and sun, can be used as an additional area for performances,
for relaxing between shows or simply as a meeting venue. The most surprising
and at the same time most structurally complex aspect of the project was the parabolic
shape of each volume. Partly thanks to this engineering challenge, the building has become an
icon of new African architecture, while its location in the centre of Soweto bears witness
to South Africa’s new economic and cultural vibrancy.
70 71
In 2012 Soweto Theatre was
chosen by the South African
Property Owners Association
(SAPOA) as the best
social and environmental
development project.
9
Architecture Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy
Form and perf
72 73
ormance
The iconic sports car
maker Lamborghini has
opened its Protoshop, the
first multilevel industrial
building in Italy to be
certified energy class A
by Alfredo Zappa
A car, like a building, is judged not just by its appearance
but above all by its performance - which increasingly
means high energy efficiency, low fuel consumption,
reduced emissions and safety. It is hardly surprising
then that the factory buildings used by the world’s leading
carmakers should reflect a desire to combine image
with green credentials, form with eco-efficiency.
Lamborghini’s Protoshop however marks an entirely
new step in the company’s journey of innovation
as the first multilevel industrial building in Italy
to gain Class A certification.
This quest for excellence would certainly have met
with the approval of the company’s founder Ferruccio
Lamborghini, who produced tractors before entering
the world of Gran Turismo sports cars. According to
his biographers, Ferruccio was involved in a heated
argument with Enzo Ferrari in which he complained
about a number of shortcomings of his Ferrari car,
receiving an indignant reply from Ferrari: “The car goes
just fine. The problem is that you only know how to drive
tractors.” Ferruccio’s response was to build a new sports
Protoshop Lamborghini
project
Archilinea
www.archilinea.it
engineering
Prospazio
www.prospazio.com
photos
Matteo Serri
www.matteoserri.com
ceramic surfaces
Lea Ceramiche
www.ceramichelea.it
2012
.
spaces
multilevel industrial building
applications
exterior cladding
(ventilated façade)
ceramic surfaces
Lea Ceramiche
ultra-thin porcelain
laminate sheets
Slimtech
Black Lamborghini
300x100 cm
thickness 3.5 mm
certifications
LEED, EMAS, ISO 14001
Water absorption
(ISO 10545-3): < 0.1%
Chemical resistance
(ISO 10545-13):
UA ULA UHA (resistant)
Resistance
to deep abrasion
Stain resistance
(ISO 10545-14): class 5
Frost resistance
Bending strength
(ISO 10545-4): > 35 N/mm2
Slip resistance
(DIN 51130): R10 (A+B), R10
Crazing resistance
Coefficient
(ISO 10545-8): 7x10 -6°C -1
Slimtech
Black
Lamborghini
The architecture
of Protoshop was
designed to reflect
Lamborghini’s
uncompromising style,
using clear shapes
and angular lines
to transform a simple
industrial structure
into a building with
a strong identity.
74 75
car from scratch based on his own ideas. Automobili
Lamborghini was born and just six months later, in 1963,
it displayed its first model at the Turin Motor Show.
Within three years, Lamborghini had sealed its place in
history with the launch of the legendary Miura. The new
Lamborghini complex in Sant’Agata Bolognese, built to
accommodate the prototype and pre-series department,
was designed by the Modena-based architecture practice
Prospazio and extends over an area of around 5,000
square metres on two floors. The design team’s project
aimed to meet not just the requirements of a showcase
factory but also the functional and spatial needs of the
production processes. At the same time, they wanted a
building with the highest possible energy efficiency that
would maximise environmental performance and reduce
management costs. The multilevel structure is built to
seismic standards and consists of a frame, columns
and beams made of precast reinforced concrete braced
by three rigid cores (also made of reinforced concrete)
housing the stairwells, lifts and car lifts.
One of the key architectural and energy saving features
is the insulated and ventilated shell that encloses the
entire building. It consists of insulating rockwool panels
with a total thickness of 14 centimetres and an external
protective casing of Lea Slimtech ultra-thin porcelain
laminate sheets. These innovative products are based
on a sophisticated industrial process and come in the
extra-large dimensions of 3 metres by 1 metre with a
thickness of just 3 millimetres. The Lea Slimtech sheets,
in the Nero Lamborghini colour created specially by Lea
Ceramiche for this project, were installed in a horizontal
layout. An exposed anchoring system was used to fix
them to a substructure sized in such a way as to create
a ventilated air gap between the cladding and the
insulation. The natural ventilation optimises the façade’s
summertime performance, improving internal comfort
and guaranteeing the correct heat and humidity balance
of the wall/insulation.
Thanks to the shell construction solutions combined
with a heat-pump air-conditioning system and an
automatic and remotely controllable lighting system,
the building is able to reduce atmospheric CO2 emissions
by almost 33,000 kilograms a year and achieve energy
savings of more than 53,000 kWh a year, in keeping
with Lamborghini and Audi’s mission to become
zero-impact companies.
cer.trend
a thirst
for natuRE
01
02
Natural colours, soft surfaces,
rounded shapes and wood
or stone effect textures:
ceramic products create
interiors that reflect the natural
world surrounding us
03
04
04
05
06 07
76 77
08 09
10
01. SPRING
Ceramiche di Frassinoro
à www.frassinoroceramiche.it
02. Open space
Garlfloor
à www.garfloor.it
03. Mix Styling
Appiani
à www.appiani.it
04. tribeca
Mirage Granito Ceramico
à www.mirage.it
11
12
05. palomba collection 2012
Laufen Italia
à www.it.laufen.com
06. select
Edimax
à www.edimax.it
07. link
Keope
à www.keope.com
08. secret
ABK
à www.abk.it
09. industrial
Floor Gres
à www.floorgres.it
10. blend stone
Magica
à www.cermagica.it
14
13
11. Look
Cerasarda
à www.cerasarda.it
12. in-essence
Provenza
à www.ceramicheprovenza.com
13. start
Valdama
à www.valdama.com
PRODUCTS GALLERY
The entire spring/summer 2013 collection
of Italian ceramic tiles and sanitaryware
can be seen online at:
www.laceramicaitaliana.it/products
cer.doc
01. NEWOOD CASALGRANDE PADANA
Format: 21 x 29.7 cm - Pages: 32 - Photos: 30
à www.casalgrandepadana.com
02. two.0 century
à www.century-ceramica.it
03. general catalogue 2013 Del Conca
Format: 17 x 22.5 cm - Pages: 528
à www.delconca.com
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
04. materia D ITALGRANITI
Format: 24 x 33 cm - Pages: 64 - Photos: 20
à www.italgranitigroup.com
05. general catalogue 2013 MAPEI
à www.mapei.com
06. general catalogue 2013 RONDINE
à www.rondinegroup.com
07. SIMAS 2012/2013 SIMAS
Format: 23 x 29 cm - Pages: 480
à www.simas.it
08. Hard Rock beton TAGINA
à www.tagina.it
09. general catalogue 2013 UNICOM STARKER
à www.unicomstarker.it
10. Élite versace home
à www.gardenia.it
11. Stark VERDE 1999
Format: 29.7 x 21 cm - Pages: 16 - Photos: 12
à www.verde1999.com
For information and to order copies of catalogues,
send an email to [email protected]
10
11
cer.exit
80
A NEW CULTURE
OF COLOUR DESIGN
Massimo Caiazzo
Vice-President for Italy
of the Executive Committee
IACC - International
Association
of Colour Consultants
“
The growing interest in the issue of colour is a direct consequence of the negation of colour
that has dominated our culture in recent decades. From the 1990s onwards, there has been
a growing tendency to use exclusively white, black and grey, in other words a shift towards
a culture of non-colour. Put simply, over the last twenty years many of us have lived in
entirely white houses, dressed almost exclusively in black and lived in urban contexts that
are increasingly grey. But the reaction to this trend is having equally alarming consequences.
Today we are seeing the emergence of a desire for colour that is not backed up by an adequate
awareness of colour, prompting ill-considered and detrimental choices. For this reason,
it is essential to promote fresh attention to colour design that respects human sensitivity
and its uniqueness and diversity. It is no coincidence that in recent years the tendency towards
collective homogenisation and the ideological negation of individuality have also predominated
in urban planning and building. A well-informed and careful use of colour and artificial light
is a gauge of quality of living, an expression of harmony. In short, we need to reflect on the need
for friendly, tranquil spaces that are designed effectively according to their intended uses.
Light and colour are crucial for creating a balanced relationship between content and form.
Their combination must make spaces harmonious, assisting daily activities. In optimal lighting
conditions, colour facilitates the perception of space and improves our sense of orientation. In
general the colour climate of an interior is more balanced if the colour of the
floor (which supports us) is darker than that of the walls (which hold us in).
The horizontal surface of the ceiling must always be extremely bright (even
white), apart from cases in which it is necessary to correct the excessive
height of a room. Colour is closely related to the functions and dimensions
of spaces: the same colour combination produces different effects in the
living room, kitchen, corridor, bedroom or bathroom. The time spent in each
space, its temperature and its noise level also influence the effectiveness of
the colour context. The brightness of spaces is key to a harmonious use of colour, as favourable
exposure to natural light makes for an ideal colour climate. To create bright, relaxing spaces,
it is necessary to carefully balance warm and cold tones by applying the fundamental principles
of colour theory (complementarity, simultaneous contrast, variations in saturation, etc.).
The refraction of light is directly proportional to the matt or gloss level of the surface.
The choice of materials and their finishes (tiles, parquet, resin, terracotta, mosaic, emulsion or
enamel paint, wallpaper, fabric upholstery, etc.) is crucial for calibrating the surface that interacts
with the light source (whether natural or artificial) and enhances the colour and texture.
Lighting intensity is essential for the perception of the volume of a room: diffused lights enhance
the sense of space, dim lights tend to reduce it. A prevalence of dark colours is generally not
recommended. Besides creating a heavy, unstimulating colour climate, darker colours also absorb
more light so a greater quantity of electrical energy is needed to achieve sufficient illumination.
The ergonomics
of spaces depends
on correct application
of colour rules
”
The choice that completes every project.
Mapei Coloured Grouts
Beauty which resists everything.
A range of high-quality, highly-functional grouts rich in colour for internal and external use.
• Solvent-free
• Very low emission level of volatile organic compounds (VOC)
• Certified according to the most strict international standards
• Ideal for all types and formats of floors and walls: ceramic, terracotta, stone, mosaics and metal.
• Available as cementitious, paste and epoxy grout
Mapei: Let’s take a deeper look together at: www.mapei.it
/mapeispa
EASY TO CLEAN
ANTI-MOULD
DURABLE AND STRONG
WIDE RANGE OF COLOURS

Cer Magazine International Inglese 31

Transcription

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