36 thai landmark
Transcription
36 thai landmark
2015 EN GUEST Andreas Kipar CERSAIE Sustainable architecture HOME Discreet luxury in Aventura Cer Magazine International n. 36 (September 2015) • ISSN 1828-1109 • YEAR XVIII MARKET Construction activity picks up cer magazine INTERNATIONAL welcomeadv.it 36 36 INTERNATIONAL THAI LANDMARK WE VALUE YOUR CREATIVITY. The Quinquennial Tile Award is the International Award created by Fincibec Group, reserved to all professionals who have completed works in architecture and design during the past 5 years, using the products of the 3 brands of the group: Century, Monocibec and Naxos. It’s so easy to join: just go to the website www.tileaward.org, complete the entry form and send the documentation no later than 31 March 2016. The award for the five winners consists of a brand-new electric bicycle Made in Italy. Registration is open, we are waiting for yours as well. cer.start Andrea Serri Editor of Cer Magazine Italia and International 1 CERSAIE MEETS THE DUKES OF ESTE The Ducal Palace in Sassuolo, the splendid Renaissance summer residence of Borso d’Este and his descendents, will serve as the setting for the International Press Conference and Cersaie Evening. For an evening this masterpiece of Italian baroque architecture, with its frescoed walls and ceilings, will become the residence of honour for exhibitors and visitors to Cersaie 2015, the foremost international showcase of ceramic tile, bathroom furnishings and other hard floor coverings. But the link between Cersaie and the Ducal Palace of Sassuolo goes far beyond the mere geographical connection between the two capitals, that of the House of Este and the city that is renowned as the cradle of Italian ceramics. The work of the finest Renaissance artists has a direct correspondence with that of today’s star architects such as 2012 Pritzker Prize winner Glenn Murcutt, whose Keynote Lecture is the highlight of the ‘Building Dwelling Thinking’ programme; the frescoes and trompe-l’oeil paintings in the rooms and entertainment areas were the equivalent of the modern wall tiles and large-format ceramic panels on display at the exhibition; and the elegant basins in the ducal bathrooms, the finest solutions available at the time, have evolved in terms of design and water saving to become today’s cutting-edge ceramic sanitary fixtures and bathroom furnishings. And last but not least the Peschiera Ducale, the fishpond that served as a place of entertainment and leisure, is a prime example of the outdoor applications to which Italian ceramic tiles are perfectly suited. But while on the first evening Cersaie 2015 takes a plunge into the past to celebrate its origins, the rest of the show has its sights set firmly on the future and the world at large. Gala Evening will “beThe held in the Renaissance summer residence of the House of Este, a location that has many links with today’s exhibition ” Passepartout TERRE CUITE PEINTE CONTEMPORARY, LARGE FORMAT TERRACOTTA IN ORIGINAL AND PAINTED COLORS Ceramics of Italy ® PAD 26 - A266 www.verde1999.com cer.contents cer magazine is available for download free of charge from the iPad App Store (Cer Mag) EDITORIAL START by Andrea Serri 01 Cersaie meets the Dukes of Este MAGAZINE by Simona Malagoli NEWS 17 20 06 Corporate 10 Production 12 Design cover photo Starbucks Central Embassy Bangkok, Thailand Ceramic surfaces: Rex 14 Award / Web EVENTS 17 CERSAIE 2015 explores sustainable, poetic and social architecture by Maria Teresa Rubbiani PROJECTS 17 HOME 20 A modern-day chateu by Laura Ragazzola 24 Discreet luxury in Aventura by Katrin Cosseta 34 Hanes House, timeless design by Simona Storchi 22 TRENDS 30 Smart collections for an attractive and sustainable bathroom by Elena Pasoli VIRTUAL STYLE by Imagem 28 The living room 62 A Fast Food Restaurant 26 30 cer.contents 52 MARKET 38 Fifty years of hard work by Alexis Cassola 42 Construction activity picks up across the world by Simone Ricci 56 46 Sustainable thinness by Alfredo Zappa INTERVIEW 52 GUEST Andreas Kipar Strategies for new urban landscapes by Alessandra Coppa 64 PROJECTS by Laura Maggi 58 Thai Landmark by Livio Salvadori 68 Fragments of sky blue 68 by Elisa Montalti with the co-sponsorship of Publishing Director Vittorio Borelli Editor Andrea Serri ([email protected]) Editorial Staff Valentina Candini ([email protected]) Simona Malagoli ([email protected]) Valentina Pellati ([email protected]) Graphic Design Fabio Berrettini, Cristina Menotti Advertising Pool Magazine di Mariarosa Morselli Via Cattaneo 34 - 41126 Modena - Italy tel. +39 059 344 455 - Fax +39 059 344 544 [email protected] Publisher Edi.Cer. SpA Cer Magazine International: publication registered at Modena Court of Law, no. 1784 on date 18-01-2006 - ISSN 1828-1109 by Donatella Bollani Promoted by Printing Arti Grafiche Boccia - Salerno 72 Urban spirituality Issue 36 Biannual review - September 2015 Translations John Freeman by Donatella Bollani 64 CompuGroup Medical new headquarters INTERNATIONAL Contributors Donatella Bollani (Domus), Alexis Cassola, Alessandra Coppa, Katrin Cosseta (Interni), Laura Maggi, Elisa Montalti (www.designcontext.net), Elena Pasoli, Laura Ragazzola (Interni), Simone Ricci, Maria Teresa Rubbiani, Livio Salvadori (Casabella), Simona Storchi, Alfredo Zappa. 56 Vertigo in Milan magazine Editorial Secretariat Barbara Maffei ([email protected]) Patrizia Gilioli ([email protected]) ARCHITECTURE cer DOC Editorial offices Edi.Cer. SpA Società Unipersonale Viale Monte Santo, 40 - 41049 Sassuolo (Mo) - Italy tel. +39 0536 804585- fax +39 0536 806510 [email protected] - www.laceramicaitaliana.it cod. fisc. 00853700367 76 Company catalogues Printed: April 2015 72 46 www.laceramicaitaliana.it overall SELECTION cer.news MAGAZINE CORPORATE PRODUCTION DESIGN AWARD WEB IDEAL STANDARD SAFAK FILA NEW SALES DIRECTOR After working for almost three years at Ideal Standard in roles of increasing responsibility, Safak Fila has been appointed company’s sales director. He joined the company in 2012 in the position of Key Account Manager and subsequently held the position of North West Area Manager. Thanks to his dedication and professionalism, he has gained strong credibility and trust and established a solid reputation amongst the company’s customers. Born in Bologna in 1982, Safak Fila graduated in Economics and Business Administration from the Catholic University of Milan and studied Key Account Management at SDA Bocconi. He joined Ideal Standard after working for LG Electronics, Candy-Hoover Group and Masterfoods. à www.idealstandard.it COEM HEALTH AND SAFETY IN COMPLIANCE WITH BS OHSAS 18001 DSG Ceramiche, the porcelain tile division of Decoratori Bassanesi, opened a show gallery in Milan last June in collaboration with Listone Giordano thanks to the partnership with its longstanding retailer Superskin. The gallery showcases all the DSG Ceramiche collections in keeping with an innovative display philosophy. Keen to establish a direct relationship with customers abroad, DSG and Decoratori Bassanesi along with a further seven companies belonging to Rete Italia in the Veneto region have opened a new Russian showroom located in Novospassky Lane in Moscow. By promoting custom-made Italian solutions, technologies and services and maintaining Italian competitiveness, Rete Italia aims to create sophisticated and prestigious buildings and offer solutions of high technical and aesthetic quality for a thrilling showroom experience. The new Russian showroom displays both Decoratori Bassanesi brands and all the collections of thin porcelain panels from DSG, which are ideal for furnishing interiors and exteriors with elegance and technology. Coem has announced that it is implementing an occupational health and safety management system within its organisation in compliance with the standard published by the British Standards Institution, BS OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series), the world’s benchmark in the field of safety management. Although not required by law, Coem wanted to adapt its organisational model and subsequently certify the system through Certiquality as this procedure ensures not only compliance with the most stringent legislative requirements but also continuous improvement in safety performance through the participation of all company departments. The standard is based on PDCA (Plan - Do - Check - Act) methodology, i.e. establish the goals and processes for achieving results in accordance with the organisation’s occupational health and safety policy; implement the processes; monitor and measure the processes with respect to the occupational health and safety policy, goals and requirements, and record the results; take action to continuously improve the performance of the system. Clear communication of the goals and targets at all levels will bring improvements in terms of health and safety awareness, teamwork and corporate atmosphere, and company image. à www.dsgceramiche.it à www.decoratoribassanesi.it à www.coem.it DSG CERAMICHE - DECORATORI BASSANESI NEW SHOWROOMS OPENED IN MILAN AND MOSCOW The show gallery in Milan KOTTO Floor and Wall Tile Collection KOTTO XS: 30x30 cm, 30x60 cm KOTTO XL: 80x80 cm, 60x60 cm KOTTO BRICK: 12,5x25 cm, 6x25 cm Designed and Manufactured in Italy www.emilceramica.it . CORPORATE MAGAZINE PRODUCTION DESIGN AWARD ABK GROUP INDUSTRIE CERAMICHE SICHENIA GRUPPO CERAMICHE NEW COMPANY ORGANISATION Wall&Porcelain revolutionises interior wall tiles Wall tiles produced with Wall&Porcelain technology Thanks to collaboration with the company Duke and Kay and the commitment of its managers specialising in business development, performance improvement and turnaround projects, Sichenia Gruppo Ceramiche has embarked on a major reorganisation process based on an agreement signed with a bank syndicate. All corporate departments are undergoing major restructuring. Led by Sole Director Roberto Rompianesi, Sichenia has strengthened its management team with the appointment of Andrea Bordignon as special administrator and Giampaolo Daviddi and Raffaele Capitani as sales and technical directors. “There’s certainly a long way to go, but on the basis of the initial results we’re confident about Sichenia’s future,” commented Rompianesi. “We currently have a five-year business plan, but I believe that the objectives we have set ourselves are both achievable and sustainable. Our first goal is to make our production activities efficient by exploiting our cutting-edge facility while at the same time re-establishing a strong position in many of the markets we withdrew from in the past. This will involve complete brand restyling and new merchandising.” In view of the growing success of Auto-Leveling porcelain panels, ABK Group has developed Wall&Porcelain, an innovative technology which combines the advantages of porcelain with some of the typical qualities of double firing and monoporosa, but without their limitations. Wall&Porcelain can be used to produce large-format (60x120/30x120 cm) rectified ceramic panels that are light, easy to handle, thin (7 mm) and perfectly flat - a feat that is simply not possible with the double firing or monoporosa process. This means the panels are easier to install, work with and cut compared to conventional porcelain, they are just as practical as classic wall tiles, and at the same time they are extremely durable and free from defects after installation. Wall&Porcelain not only combines technical qualities and functionality, but also meets the needs of a new market segment located midway between large panels and the classic medium-sized wall tile format. In this segment, W&P technology is combined with high levels of design to create increasingly new and diversified offerings that follow the latest trends and can easily be coordinated with the floor tiles in the range. The tiles draw inspiration from a range of sources including wallpapers and textured and 3D surfaces and are suitable for many different applications, especially interiors. Made from a special body containing 50% high-quality recycled materials, W&P is a LEED accredited eco-sustainable material. The fact that it is dry rectified brings water and energy savings and allows for complete recovery of processing waste. à www.sichenia.it à www.abk.it GATTONI RUBINETTERIA FLORIM CERAMICHE La gamma: the new smart and easy catalogue GROWTH DRIVEN BY INVESTMENTS AND EXCELLENCE Gattoni Rubinetteria’s entire range of products is shown off to great effect in the recently published catalogue entitled La gamma, which provides a quick and simple overview of the company’s collections. These include innovative lines developed in partnership with Italian architects (the technological Fly series, the visually striking Boomerang collection and the original Intersezione and Color lines), which are illustrated in photos of mock-ups alongside technical descriptions. But La gamma also features Gattoni Rubinetteria’s many other lines, from the simplest classic collections such as Timor and Vivaldi through to the most lively and modern series such as H2Omix1000. The catalogue focuses in particular on the Gattoni “world of showers”, from the Gbox system which facilitates installation and maintenance through to solutions that combine original designs with therapeutic systems. One of the most interesting kitchen products is the Gk Green collection made from Bluwave® certified lead-free alloy which ensures the purity of drinking water. Last but not least, there is a section devoted to the unique characteristics of the company’s production activities, including the use of high-quality materials and meticulous control of the eco-friendly technological processes. Now in its seventh edition, the Florim Sustainability Report - a statement that covers not just financial and accounting aspects but also considers the Group’s policies aimed at overall sustainability and future goals - reveals growth and improvement of all fundamental indicators. The successful 2014 results are attributable to investments aimed at improving cost factors and flexibility together with high product quality, professionalism and dedication at all levels and a continuous pursuit of excellence. In his introduction to this latest report, company chairman Claudio Lucchese commented: “The unflagging commitment of staff at all levels and their ability to pursue the Florim mission have enabled us to complete highly complex projects with ambitious implementation times. These include the remodelling of the Mordano facility, which has become a benchmark for the production of large-format panels, and the launch of a new logistics centre in Fiorano combining a traditional storage yard with a modern high-bay warehouse. Progress has also been made on the renovation of the American facility, which is expected to be completed in 2015.” à www.gattonirubinetteria.com From the catalogue, an interior featuring the Color collection. à www.florim.it Déco d’Antan: a true and real ceramic system dedicated to furnish with renewed elegance the residential living spaces and ideal for contract projects. The colour, the decors and the contrasts are the three distinctive elements of the collection that combined together can offer a great visual lightness and compositional freedom. The geometrical patterns and the engraved floreal decors exalt the surface as to become true and real furnishing additions, smooth to the touch and precious on view thanks to the skikful mix of the glazes and the grit powder. www.tagina.it cer.news MAGAZINE MAGAZINE COMPANY CORPORATE EVENT PRODUCTION GREEN DESIGN DESIGN AWARD WEB NUOVA RIWAL CERAMICHE TECNEMA TECHNOLOGY USED ON DRY PROCESSING LINE With the aim of improving production quality standards by adopting a green approach in all stages from raw materials preparation through to product finishing, Nuova Riwal Ceramiche is completing a major programme of technological investments at its Saime facility in Maranello. The task of supplying new technologies for dry grinding and cutting of porcelain tiles has been assigned to Tecnema Technology, whose line is capable of processing all kinds of ceramic materials using the SCT (Small Chip Thickness) technique. Because it does not generate heat, this technology has superior performance to the water-based process and uses machines developed from the original prototype presented at Tecnargilla 2008 and covered by a number of patents. The economic, environmental and production benefits of using of this technology include the lack of a need for sludge disposal, recycling of production process OCCHIELLO OCCHIELLO OCCHIELLO dust, energy savings, longer tool life, a work environment not subject to the formation of saline mist and a longer machine lifetime with lower maintenance costs. tiolo titolo tiolo titolo à www.riwal.it tiolo titolo tiolo titolo tiolo titolo tiolo titolo GRUPPO FINCIBEC SERENISSIMA CIR INDUSTRIE CERAMICHE EKOROLL FROM SACMI BRINGS SAVINGS AND COMPETITIVENESS Production activities concentrated in the province of Reggio Emilia With the aim of increasing the efficiency and productivity of the At the end of April this year, Serenissima Cir Industrie sorting department, especially in the production of large sizes, Ceramiche sold its factory in Filo di Alfonsine to Omega Fincibec Group has installed two new automatic packaging machines Ceramic, a leading Egyptian group with six manufacturing at its Sassuolo and Roteglia plants. “EkoRoll is the ideal solution for facilities. This is an important operation for Serenissima Cir, complex cardboard forming issues in terms of both raw material which maintains the Cercom brand and is now concentrating quantities and productivity,” explained the group’s CEO Vittorio its production activities at its two facilities in Rubiera and Borelli. Designed by Sacmi-Nuova Fima to a new design concept Roteglia in the province of Reggio Emilia. Over the last two based on linearity and simplicity, EkoRoll replaces pre-printed years the Casalgrande-based ceramic tile manufacturer has invested more than testo testo testowith testo testo testo testo testo testo testo 20 testo testo testo testoatesto testo testothat is cardboard blanks rolls of card million euros in these twotesto factories, achieving production capacity testo testo testo testocut testo testo testo testo testo capable testo testo te- the Group’s testo testo testo visible testo intewhich are subsequently and testo teof meeting needs. The testo resultstesto were already the sto testo testo testo testo testo sto testo testo testo testo testo testo sto testo testo testo testo testoin shaped ontesto demand. Advantages first few months of 2015, highlighting an testo especially positive trend in exports testo testo testo testo testo testo testo testo testo line testo testo testo testo testo testoceramic testo group include reduced waste andtesto disposal withtesto the company’s business plan. The Casalgrande-based costs, up to 60% savings in engaged in numerous negotiations to find the most favourable agreement, and à www.????????? à www.????????? à www.????????? consumption of raw materials such as in the end chose the proposal that guaranteed the smallest impact on cardboard and glue, and guaranteed employment by allowing almost all employees to keep their jobs. high quality in the case of products with a high unit value such as largeà www.serenissimacir.it format tiles and panels. à www.fincibec.it PUNTOQUATTRO occhiello Vittorio Borelli and Giuseppe Miselli from Sacmi LAMINAM TIOLO TITOLO New line for extra large tiles TIOLO TITOLO Following 30% revenue growth to 40 million euros in 2014 and a forecast testo testo testo testo testo testo testo 50 million euros this year, Laminam is now facing the fresh challenge of 3 million euro investments in technology testo testo testo testo testo testo testo starting up a fourth production line with a total annual capacity of a testo testo testo testo testo testo testo Through an agreement with Fiorano-based company System, million panels. The investment made by Laminam will bring a testo testo testo testo Puntoquattro has installed the new Multigecko line which features an considerable increase in production capacity of ceramic panels in a automatic sorting and size and flatness detection system, as well as a 1000x3000 mm size and variable thicknesses (at a workrate of 50 à www.????????? latest-generation Freebox packaging machine capable of automatically strokes an hour it will allow for the daily production of around 4,000 sq.m creating a box suitable for any product type and size in just a few of material). The new line will also be able to produce Extra Large panels seconds. To meet the latest market demands, Puntoquattro has installed a up to 1600x3200 mm in size and with thicknesses from 6 to 20 mm. press for large sizes and an 80-metre kiln. Mauro Borghi, chairman and With this new product based on research into the aesthetic and technical founding partner of the historic third fire decoration company, potential of ceramic materials, Laminam commented: “To remain competitive in the market it is vital to maintain has further expanded its range of the highest possible levels of production process potential applications in the fields of efficiency, without losing sight of Italian qualities.” architecture, interiors and design. à www.puntoquattro.it à www.laminam.it . CORPORATE MAGAZINE PRODUCTION DESIGN AWARD WEB MAPEI PROGRESS PROFILES PARTNER FOR THE TREE OF LIFE Italian Pavilion features high-quality finishings and design As a sponsor of the Consorzio Orgoglio Brescia (Brescia Pride Consortium) for the creation of the iconic Tree of Life, Mapei has also contributed to the symbol of the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2015. Standing at the centre of Lake Arena, just behind Palazzo Italia, the Tree designed by Marco Balich is a 35-metre-high wood-covered steel structure symbolising Italian roots extending towards the future. It has a strong technological content, including more than a hundred special effects lasting for about ten minutes that alternate every hour for the entire duration of the Expo. Mapei contributed its expertise to the construction of the base on which the Tree of Life stands, its roots sinking into a carpet made of local natural stone reproducing Michelangelo’s lozenge design for the paving in Piazza del Campidoglio. Along with its products, Mapei also contributed its expertise to the various stages in the project: gluing the prefabricated elements, smoothing the substrate, waterproofing, installation, grouting and sealing the expansion joints. Located at the heart of Expo 2015, the Italian Pavilion features finishings made by Progress Profiles. Amongst the many solutions provided by the company, which specialises in the field of technical and decorative finishing profiles, the elegant Projolly Square satin steel and brass profiles were chosen for the walls and Proterminal and Procover for the floors. The revolutionary Proleveling System consisting of levellers and special tie rods was also used to ensure high-precision installation, resulting in a perfectly flat floor without lippage or glue deposits. Standing at the heart of Expo 2015, the Italian Pavilion serves as Italy’s calling card and represents the country’s focus on the future and innovation. In keeping with the finest Italian manufacturing tradition, Progress Profiles has contributed with its products renowned for quality, design and cuttingedge technology. à www.mapei.it à www.progressprofiles.com MARAZZI GROUP CERAMICHE ASCOT SISTEM C USED FOR RENOVATION OF THE RAINBOW TOWER IN MILAN AFTER HARING, GAME OF FIFTEEN CONTINUES WITH BORIS TELLEGEN In the eightieth year of Marazzi’s history, a period of time in which the celebrated Italian ceramic tile producer has established some of the most important milestones in the industry (the first collaboration with the world of design, the revolutionary single-firing patent, the first large-format tile, the first technical product), Studio Original Designers 6R5 has chosen Sistem C from Marazzi for renovation of the famous Rainbow Tower at Porta Garibaldi in Milan. With its variety of colours, the tower is part of the Wonderline project which for several years has encompassed initiatives and efforts in the world of colour. “The colours of the Rainbow Tower express our desire to inhabit our planet intelligently, creating harmony between technology, nature, innovation and traditions,” commented the project’s curator, Francesco Roggero from Original Designers. Sistem C, a complete range of 24 colours, three surfaces (gloss, matt and non-slip), four sizes and two 3D-effect relief textures, is the perfect partner for colour projects for floors and walls in public and residential architectural spaces. It is an eco-friendly ceramic tile that has obtained LEED® certification for the content of recycled material used in the production process. Alongside Marazzi, the other partners on the Rainbow Tower renovation project were Bazzea - B Construction Technology, Condor, Fila Solutions and Mapei. The Game of Fifteen project devoted to the works of fifteen contemporary artists, first launched last year by Ceramiche Ascot with a tile designed by Keith Haring, is due to unveil the second collection created by Boris Tellegen at Cersaie. The Dutch artist is well known for his work on geometries and materials, where light flows through various dimensions and the intricate reliefs offer multiple interpretations. The artist’s work, including the tile present in this collection, is currently on display at The Bridges of Graffiti, a side event of the Venice Biennale (www.thebridgesofgraffiti.com). à www.marazzi.it à www.ascot.it Boris Tellegen . MAGAZINE CORPORATE PRODUCTION DESIGN AWARD WEB FIORANESE URBAN_AVENUE WINS ARCHITIZER AWARD At the A+ Awards Gala held in New York in May, the Urban_Avenue collection from Fioranese was presented with the Architizer A+ Award for the “Flooring - Hard” product category. The largest online platform for architecture and design, Architizer hosts projects submitted by the designers themselves. The Architizer A+ Awards, now in its third edition, is an international competition with no fewer than 90 categories and more than 300 judges. Shortlisted along with several other products selected for that category, Urban_Avenue was automatically submitted for the more coveted Architizer A+ Jury Awards and Architizer A+ Popular Choice Awards, winning the latter. A brick effect porcelain tile inspired by industrial design, lofts and buildings in the largest cities in the industrialised western world, Urban_Avenue previously won the first edition of ADI Ceramics Design Award at Cersaie 2014, a competition held to celebrate the Italian ceramic industry’s most innovative products. à www.fioranese.it Interior featuring Urban_Avenue in the Dark Copper version. GRUPPO BETA FAP CERAMICHE HATRIA EDIMAX AND ASTOR LAUNCH NEW APPS CERAMICS ILLUSTRATED ON SOCIAL NETWORKS A RESTYLED WEBSITE The companies belonging to Beta Group of Solignano have launched two new apps on Apple Store and Google Play, an advanced communication solution that provides new opportunities for consultation and interaction with agents, suppliers and customers. Entirely designed and developed in-house, the Edimax and Astor apps offer a quick and simple way of viewing collections, product photos, news and descriptions, as well as downloadable pdf files of the companies’ catalogues. Complete with directions in Google Maps and links to contacts, once installed on tablets or smartphones the apps can also be used offline, allowing them to be consulted anywhere and at any time. To keep pace with the fast-changing and strongly internationalised market and the rapid development of web- and social media-based information systems, it is vital for companies to maintain a two-way dialogue with their partners and customers. By launching these apps, Beta Group has further improved the effectiveness of its communication efforts, demonstrating its ability to create cutting-edge solutions that meet product requirements and improve its customer service. In a modern and utterly original initiative, Fap is promoting an awareness and appreciation of the outstanding qualities and characteristics of ceramic tiles. The initiative Benessere (well-being) consists of ten illustrations from the Tatoo series divided into two thematic series, Tatoo and Muse, drawn by hand by Udinebased illustrator Barbara Petris and set on backgrounds that faithfully reproduce the textures of the latest FAP collections. Every two weeks they will be posted on the company’s social networks (in particular its FB, TW and G+ pages) and on the sector’s leading websites, revealing with each new episode the distinctive characteristics of ceramic tiles in general and FAP’s products in particular. The first Tatoo Old School style series consists of illustrations named Strength, Safety, Well-being, Versatility and Environmental Sustainability, summarising the key aspects that make ceramic such an extraordinary, versatile and functional material in all architectural settings. The second extremely elegant series is inspired by the female Muses of Greek mythology and includes references to the fashion trends of 2015-2016. The illustrations titled Ipnotica, Ideale, Elegante, Materia and Scintilla will lead visitors on a fascinating journey through the world of FAP products, allowing them to appreciate their style and sophisticated details. After completely restyling its logo and institutional image, Hatria has now launched a new website that strengthens its brand identity and highlights key features such as innovation, elegance and Italian quality. With a more intuitive and dynamic look and feel and a modern, user-friendly interface, the new Hatria website is simpler to navigate and mobile responsive thanks to a simple, streamlined architecture in which all content is just a click away. Through the four sections Visit, See, Discover and Design, visitors can gain quick and simple access to the world of Hatria sanitaryware and find full information on products and bathroom solutions. The new website is yet another service available to customers, providing comprehensive content and information to help them in their purchasing decisions. à www.edimax.it à www. ceramicheastor.it à www.fapceramiche.com @ à www.hatria.com Collection Foulards A square of tissue which now becomes a ceramic square. Cersaie 2015 Bologna 28/09 - 2/10 Hall 22 Stand A 116 CERAMICA DI VIETRI DE MAIO FRANCESCO S.R.L. Via Nazionale, 5 - 84015 Nocera Superiore (SA) ITALY Phone Number +39 081 931011 – Fax Number +39 081 5142366 – E–mail: [email protected] www.francescodemaio.it grandprix tenth edition 2013/2015 international architecture contest* 1000 designers in the past editions over 1500 projects 4 X categories are you ready for the tenth edition? * open to designers who have used casalgrande padana stoneware in their projects submit your works deadline 31.12.2015 www.grandprixcasalgrandepadana.com CASALGRANDE PADANA Pave your way . 16 17 EVENTS Cersaie explores sustainable, poetic and social architecture by Maria Teresa Rubbiani It has almost become a point of honour for the organisers of Cersaie to invite a Pritzker prize winner to each edition of the world’s leading showcase of ceramic tiles. The 2015 edition is no exception, giving professionals, students and fans of architecture the opportunity to attend a live conference given by one of the world’s most famous architects. This year’s Keynote Lecture (29 September) will again be delivered by a winner of the coveted award: Australian architect Glenn Murcutt, introduced by Francesco Dal Co. Glenn Murcutt is renowned for his focus on sustainability and for his eco-friendly buildings that are in harmony with the climate and the Anthony Browell courtesy Architecture Foundation Australia THE BUILDING, DWELLING, THINKING CULTURAL PROGRAMME HELD DURING THE FIVE DAYS OF THE BOLOGNA SHOW WILL INCLUDE A WIDE RANGE OF EVENTS EXPLORING KEY THEMES IN THE COMPANY OF INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ARCHITECTS landscape, a form of architecture referred to as “ecological functionalism”. After studying architecture at the Sydney Technical College of the University of New South Wales, in 1969 Murcutt founded the eponymous architecture firm. But in addition to the Keynote Lecture, Cersaie’s seventh Building, Dwelling, Thinking cultural programme also hosts a wealth of other events. On Wednesday 30 September at 10.00 am in the Architecture Gallery, architect Stefano Mirti will present the results of the third edition of Ceramic Futures: from poetry to science fiction, an on-line and off-line ceramic project that this year has seen the participation of three design schools – EnsAD Paris, IED Turin and Milan Polytechnic. Glenn Murcutt Francesco Dal Co Porcelain Collection www.delconca.com CERSAIE 2015 BOLOGNA | HALL 36 • BOOTH A/16 - A/14 18 19 Ph. Juan Rodríguez Francisco Mangado Matthias Sauerbruch planners, artists and designers, filmmakers, musicians, ethnologists and sociologists with the aim of reinventing the city through a study of all its various aspects and needs, including those of a social nature. At 3.00 pm, German and Spanish architectural approaches will be compared in a fascinating discussion between internationally acclaimed award-winning architects Francisco Mangado and Matthias Sauerbruch. Then on 2 October, the “Lesson in reverse” aimed at high-school students will be given by Massimo Giacon, an unconventional, highly eclectic artist whose wide-ranging areas of interest include design and comics, art and music and who is considered one of the fathers of the modern Italian comic strip. - among them the various projects carried out in the Matadero in Madrid, a former slaughterhouse converted into an arts complex - have earned him a place on the lists of most successful young Spanish architects drawn up by the daily El País, the Fundación Caja de Arquitectos, the Ministry for Infrastructure and Transport (JAE), Architectural Digest and 2G. Rather than a conventional architecture practice, Raumlabor Berlin is an experimental laboratory where architects work alongside urban Massimo Giacon Ph. Kalle Koponen This year’s winners of “The Community” category are Cecilia Arata from IED for the project “Blindness”, Clara Kernreuter from Ensad with “Sensitive collective memories”, and Camilla Marini from Milan Polytechnic for the prototype “Snap Futures”. The winners of the “Best Projects” category are Alessandro Calabrese from IED with “Freeze this post”, Martina Genovesi from Milan Polytechnic for “High on memory”, and Erwan Péron from Ensad Paris for “Or noir / Black Gold”. On Thursday 1 October, Fulvio Irace, professor of History of Architecture at Milan Polytechnic, will converse with Spanish architect Arturo Franco and with Markus Bader, a German architect and member of the Raumlabor Berlin collective. Arturo Franco’s most significant works . Home Cambrai, France A MODERN-DAY CHATEAU by Laura Ragazzola | Interni Cambrai, a town in northwest France, boasts a wealth of history and art. Eighteenth century townhouses face onto the splendid square alongside baroque churches, mediaeval gates and bell towers that rise above the slate-roofed houses. The town is surrounded by magnificent countryside, dotted here and there with nineteenth century rural buildings as a reminder of the area’s artistic and historical heritage. Here, on a sunny slope in the grounds of a large property called “Le Chateau”, stands a “chateau contemporain”, a single-family villa with a white, geometrically structured volume that emerges starkly against the green countryside. Clearly visible from a distance, it stands in formal contrast to the soft, gently rolling lines of the landscape. The designer of the villa, architect Alain Demarquette who divides 20 21 IN THE GENTLY ROLLING FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE ABOUT A HUNDRED KILOMETRES FROM CALAIS, A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE EXPLORES AN ORIGINAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HISTORY, NATURE AND ARCHITECTURE. AIDED BY THE SKILFUL USE OF CERAMIC TILE PRIVATE HOUSE project Alain Demarquette www.ademarquette-architecte.com ceramic surfaces Casalgrande Padana www.casalgrandepadana.com distributor Carodif Carrelage C www.carrelagec.com year of completion 2011 . The porcelain floor tiles give a sense of unity to the interiors and are chosen in different finishes and sizes according to the functional requirements of the various rooms. The bathrooms (facing page and below) are dominated by darker, warmer tones, whereas in the living area (above) and corridors (far right) large sized tiles and neutral colours lend light and airiness to the spaces. his time between his practices in Cambrai and Paris, explained: “Architecture is a silent thought that uses neither words nor concepts but walls… and openings… to transform land into landscape, individuals into communities.” The villa thus becomes an opportunity for a virtuous interpretation of context, an action in which architecture plays a crucial role. The aim is to achieve a more rational integration of the architecture into the rural landscape while making the most of the splendid natural and scenic features of the countryside and maintaining a strongly contemporary style. Emphasis is placed on the idea of capturing sunlight by means of an optimal orientation of the building. Large windows, which in some cases cover the entire façade, offer views over the landscape. Nature and domestic space merge in an ever successful interplay of forms, volumes and sizes. The house extends along a kind of backbone that adapts perfectly to the morphology of the land. A series of elementary modules are juxtaposed at various levels along this spine like a Meccano construction, lending movement and dynamism to the entire structure. The large glazed surfaces reduce visual impact and enable the landscape to enter and flow seamlessly through the volume of the house. The choice of materials also ties in with this goal. In particular, the ceramic tiling plays an important role as the unifying element running through the entire project. 22 23 Metalwood Carbonio Basaltina Linosa Mineral Chrom Mineral Brown Pietre di Sardegna Pevero Metalwood Argento Metalwood Iridio Pietre di Sardegna Porto Rotondo spaces non-urban residential applications interior floor and wall tiles + exterior paving ceramic surfaces Casalgrande Padana porcelain tile -Granitoker Metalwood Carbonio, Argento, Iridio Metallica Ferro -Pietre Native Pietre di Sardegna Pevero, Porto Rotondo Basaltina Linosa Mineral Chrom Mineral Brown 10x60, 30x60, 60x60, 45x90 cm technical characteristics water absorption (ISO 10545-3): ≤ 0.1% bending strength (ISO 10545-4): 50-60 N/mm2 deep abrasion resistance (ISO 10545-6): unlimited coefficient of linear thermal expansion (ISO 10545-8): 6x10-6 thermal shock resistance (ISO 10545-9): compliant crazing resistance (ISO 10545-11): compliant frost resistance (ISO 10545-12): compliant chemical resistance (ISO 10545-13): compliant stain resistance (ISO 10545-14): compliant slip resistance (DIN 51130): R9 certifications LEED, Emas, ISO 14001, NF-Upec For precisely this reason, the villa received a mention in the ninth edition of the Grand Prix Casalgrande Padana Award, which recognises projects that excel for their successful use of porcelain tile. The architect used large-format porcelain tiles (‘Pietre di Sardegna’ collection from Casalgrande Padana, chosen in various finishes and sizes) to create a monochromatic floor covering that lends visual and material uniformity to spaces and emphasises the dialogue between nature and architecture. Exploiting the enormous flexibility of porcelain, the project achieves a harmonious balance between the indoor and outdoor spaces. The exteriors become open-air rooms that can be used in perfect continuity with the domestic interiors. Functionality is assured by choosing different finishes and sizes according to requirements. Due to the versatility of the ceramic tiles, a bushhammered texture was adopted for the external cladding, while light colours were also chosen for the swimming pool. In contrast, the interiors are dominated by darker colours, while the installation layout is meticulously adapted to the size and functions of each individual room. Last but not least, the contemporary interior design has opted for minimalist furnishings that punctuate the fluid, airy domestic spaces where light reigns supreme. . Home Aventura, Florida - USA . 24 25 AN ALL-FEMALE INTERIOR DESIGN TEAM HAS CHOSEN CLEAN LINES AND AN ELEGANT COLOUR PALETTE FOR A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE IN FLORIDA DISCREET LUXURY IN AVENTURA by Katrin Cosseta | Interni Aventura, a suburban city about twenty kilometres north of Miami, is a luxury residential neighbourhood with prestigious villas and condominiums set amongst lakes and lush tropical vegetation. One of these residences is what the designers have chosen to describe as a “contemporary moody home”. The all-female practice DKOR Interiors is one of the leading interior design firms in Miami. Under the motto “Concept+Collaborate+Create”, the nine associate professionals – some with managerial responsibilities and others more focused on design and decoration – pool their respective skills to create “an authentic style and home identity” tailored to clients’ individual needs. The result in this case is a discreet, understated interior that combines quiet luxury with a sense of ample vertical and horizontal space, furnishings of formal purity, and bright, harmonious surface colours and materials. A CONTEMPORARY MOODY HOME designer DKOR Interiors www.dkorinteriors.com photos Alexia Fodre ceramic surfaces Atlas Concorde www.atlasconcorde.it contractor Newman Construction www.newmanbc.com year of completion 2014 Facing page and left, the entrance hall and the staircase leading from the living room to the upper floor. Centre and below, a walk-in closet and wall composition with open shelving built to measure. . Right, a view of the dining area, and below one of the upper floor bedrooms. Sunrock Travertino white spaces urban residential applications interior floor coverings ceramic surfaces Atlas Concorde full-body porcelain tile Sunrock Travertino white technical characteristics water absorption (ISO 10545-3): ≤ 0.1% bending strength (ISO 10545-4): ≥ 40/N mm2 deep abrasion resistance (ISO 10545-6): ≤ 150 mm3 coefficient of linear thermal expansion (ISO 10545-8): compliant thermal shock resistance (ISO 10545-9): compliant frost resistance (ISO 10545-12): compliant chemical resistance (ISO 10545-13): UA ULA UHA stain resistance (ISO 10545-14): class 5 slip resistance (DIN 51130): R9 certifications Ecolabel, NF Upec One material in particular - Sunrock Travertino white matt series from Atlas Concorde - has been adopted as an interconnecting element running seamlessly through all the rooms on the two floors of the house, forming a pale stone-like carpet of large-format porcelain tiles. “It was the owners themselves who wanted to use this tile throughout the house, including the private areas and bathrooms,” commented the interior designers. “No one can beat Italian quality and design,” they explained. The project exploits the appeal of stone, an age-old material that has always been used in architecture and for this reason is very popular amongst American homeowners. But in this case it has been chosen in a modern, industrially-made version that offers clear advantages in terms of performance, particularly in a hot, humid climate like that of Florida. The pale-coloured floor chosen for the living area enhances the visual sense of space created by the open-space layout, the strictly bare white walls and ceilings and the large windows that provide abundant natural light. The furnishings fit into this neutral container like a sober and elegantly functional presence, from the pearl and grey fabric upholstered sofas to the wooden dining table 26 27 surrounded by upholstered chairs, likewise in white and grey fabric. A low white sideboard, glass coffee tables and a few textile accessories complement the essential decor. The lighting design likewise maintains the utmost discretion, consisting of recessed spotlights hidden in the ceiling and shafts of light that filter down from strategically placed recesses. The dark wood staircase, the only departure from the ceramic tiled floor, stands on one side of the living room to create an effective colour contrast. The stairs lead to the upper storey with its four bedrooms and bathrooms. Here too the rooms have an open, spacious layout, as can be seen in the master bedroom which is connected to the bathroom via a magnificent walk-through closet. In keeping with the design brief, the ivory white ceramic tiles on the first floor also contribute to the neutral palette, contrasting here and there with individual grey walls, wood panelling that visually accentuates the headboard of the bed, and the dark wood interiors of the closets and the fronts of bathroom vanity units. From the top: three bathrooms, the master bedroom with bathroom, the living room and the children’s bedroom. The floors in all the rooms are tiled with Travertino effect porcelain. cer. trend VIRTUALSTYLE: THE LIVING ROOM by IMAGEM www.imagem.it Nuovocorso rectified extruded porcelain tile Tuscany Cotto Del Conca full-body rectified porcelain tile GA by Giugiaro Architettura Carbon Fiber Casalgrande Padana porcelain tile Granitoker line Ulivo Noce Mapei System for the installation of ceramic tiles on heated screeds including Mapesilent Comfort soundproofing membrane Keraflex Maxi S1 zerø adhesive 28 29 Mapesilent + Keraflex Maxi GA by Giugiaro Carbon Fiber Ulivo Noce Tuscany Cotto Terre Nostre Bevagna Stage Metropolitan Passepartout White Unicomstarker porcelain tile Stage Metropolitan Tagina porcelain tile Terre Nostre Bevagna Verde 1999 porcelain tile Passepartout White cer.trend AT CERSAIE, ITALIAN COMPANIES ARE SHOWCASING AESTHETICALLY FLAWLESS HI-TECH BATHROOM FURNISHING SOLUTIONS. ATTENTION TO NATURE, REFERENCES TO THE PAST AND A CONTEMPORARY SPIRIT ARE THE VARIOUS THREADS THAT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY INTERWOVEN TO CREATE TOMORROW’S CLASSICS by Elena Pasoli The Green collection from Catalano has a soft design and organic, reassuring shapes enhanced by extremely thin edges that ensure the maximum bowl capacity. à www.catalano.it 30 31 SMART COLLECTIONS FOR AN ATTRACTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE BATHROOM In classical Latin the adjective bellus had the dual meaning of “beautiful” and “good”, combining both aesthetic and ethical qualities. Taking a look at the new products that the leading Italian bathroom furnishing manufacturers are about to unveil at Cersaie, we can see that this definition fits perfectly. The requirements of cleanliness, transparency and environmental ethics are matched by the aesthetic need to create products of intense beauty. Never before have we seen such a wide-ranging display of elegance and style in the bathroom furnishing sector. Collections now come in an astonishing array of colours and sizes catering for the needs of an increasingly discerning market that is not only sensitive to design but also increasingly focused on criteria of energy saving and sustainability, hygiene and practicality. The range of products unveiled at Cersaie includes splendid examples of Italian creativity, offerings that combine cutting-edge technologies with outstanding craftsmanship in keeping with age-old traditions and a unique cultural heritage. In a rapidly changing world buffeted by a seemingly interminable economic crisis - as well as a crisis of values and a trend towards ever smaller spaces but increasingly challenging needs - Italian-designed bathrooms represent a custom-made personal space, an oasis and place of respite with simple lines that do not attract too much attention but at the same time convey a sense of lightness, well-being and harmony with nature. This for example is the concept behind the new Green series from Catalano. Under the tagline “Learning by nature”, the collection already includes 7 wall-hung, semi-recessed and countertop washbasins, all with curved, continuous surfaces that promote a smooth flow of water to avoid the risk of pooling and to ensure maximum hygiene. The thermal waters in the Tuscan village of Bagno Vignoni, popular with the Etruscans and Romans and much loved by Caterina da Siena and Lorenzo de’ Medici, provided the inspiration for the new Vignoni collection from Simas. Its pure Italian style brings together craftsmanship and design, while its distinctive oval shape redefines geometric lines intersecting with interconnected circles. Echoes of remote Etruscan archaeology provided the inspiration for Tecla’s exquisitely minimalist Cyrcle Kylix and Oval Kylix countertop washbasins and its In-Out and Velca series of extra-thin washbasins with square styling. Thin-sided washbasins have recently become a major area of research for many companies. One example is Cielo, whose Extrà Ceramic washbasin boasts the thinnest coloured ceramic in The Vignoni collection from Simas has highly contemporary styling with a soft, rounded configuration, free of adornments but with an unusually light weight stemming from the company’s uncompromising quest for thinness. à www.simas.it The Oval Kylix washbasins from Tecla are an example of harmonious shapes with a well-balanced and effective design. à www.ceramicatecla.it SMART COLLECTIONS FOR AN ATTRACTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE BATHROOM The 5 mm thick Extrà Ceramic from Cielo is used on washbasins in the new SHUI Comfort collection designed by Paolo D’Arrigo, distinguished by a design that combines stylistic consistency with warm functionality. à www.ceramicacielo.it The new Cut washbasin from Valdama displays an artful balance between solids and voids. The design harmoniously combines the hollow of the basin and the mass of the integrated vanity top, which is raised above the level of the water. à www.valdama.it the world. The thickness of just 5 mm enhances the functionality and design of the basins while at the same time reducing their weight. The new low-thickness Cut and Track washbasins designed for Valdama by Prospero Rasulo stand out for their minimalist lines and simple, absolute geometries which embrace the ever-changing movements of water and give shape to its fluidity. Technological research has spawned some surprising innovations. One example is AquaBlade®, a revolutionary rimless flushing system recently patented by Ideal Standard which combines a high level of design with outstanding performance. The system is being launched on several collections including Dea and Tonic II, the new high-end suite available as of July 2015. Rimless design appears to be a major trend in new WCs, combining ease of cleaning and total hygiene with the need for water conservation. In the patented Rimfree® technology from Pozzi Ginori, water emerges from a single specially shaped slit positioned at the rear of the toilet and flows into the bowl at a precise angle and with the necessary force and speed to ensure quiet, effective cleaning. Continuous advances in the field of colour research are leading to unexpected and striking contrasts. Flaminia for example is unveiling its Art Deco inspired Roll and Monoroll two-colour washbasins (black on the outside and white on the inside), its chiaroscuro-effect Pietraluce Oval and Wash baths designed by Giulio Cappellini, and its even more radical Platino finish for The Dea collection from Ideal Standard features WCs with AquaBlade® technology. As the curtain of water flows down from the top of the bowl, it mixes with the front jets to ensure a vigorous and uniform washing action. The traditional rim is replaced by a discreet slit-shaped water outlet. Rimfree® technology from Pozzi Ginori is used on a number of collections including Metrica, a line that stands out for its geometric rigour and modular symmetries enhanced by new finishes such as natural warm oak and elegant matt lava grey. à www.idealstandard.it à www.pozzi-ginori.it Alongside the well-established colours white, lava grey, latte and black, Flaminia is also proposing the Platino finish which reflects the company’s uncompromisingly original approach to interior design. à www.ceramicaflaminia.it As part of its vast Dream collection, Galassia is proposing shelves made of Corten steel, a living, almost organic material with outstanding weathering resistance thanks to the protective patina that forms over time. à www.ceramicagalassia.it jewel-like washbasins. One notable example of the use of new materials is the Corten steel shelf produced by Galassia, part of the new Dream collection designed by Antonio Pascale with a unique “total look”. The Ceraslide enamel developed by Globo is another outstanding innovation. Its new formulation ensures outstanding durability and hygiene as the enamel reduces the porosity of the ceramic surface and ensures greater resistance to staining, dirt and abrasion. Home renovation continues to be a very important market segment and requires products that are flexible and easy to install and fit in well with existing furnishings. Hatria in particular is unveiling a wide range of new products at Cersaie - from Pure Rim rimless WCs to the Pure Fix invisible mounting systems for back-to-wall WCs and bidets - as well as a unique Le Fiabe open bidet with a large rear opening that covers up the fittings on old freestanding bidets without the need to perform building work. PRODUCTS GALLERY The entire Fall/Winter 2015-2016 collection of Italian ceramics can be seen online at: www.laceramicaitaliana.it/products With its large rear opening, Open Bidet Le Fiabe from Hatria is able to cover up the water fittings used on previously installed freestanding bidets. The new Ceraslide enamel from Globo is now available in the Stockholm collection created by Swedish design practice Claesson Koivisto Rune and distinguished by box and bowl shapes that meld together opposing elements such as lines and curves. à www.hatria.com à www.ceramicaglobo.com . Home Andersonville, Tennessee, USA HANES HOUSE, TIMELESS DESIGN THIS SUMMER RESIDENCE IN THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS OF TENNESSEE, AN ECO-SUSTAINABLE HOME FOR A LARGE FAMILY, EMERGES FROM THE GRANITE ROCKS OF THE LANDSCAPE by Simona Storchi Hanes House emerges from the Appalachian Mountains with the stark rigour of granite. The colours and forms chosen for this holiday home in Andersonville, Tennessee combine a European-style project with a typically American natural setting. Set among green hills and lakes, Hanes House was designed by the Ohio-based practice Tectonic Design and, in the words of architect Tonino Vicari, brings together “a timeless design and an expression of modern sustainability”. The project was completed in May 2014 and took part in the Confindustria Ceramica Tile Competition Held in the United States during Coverings 2015, winning an honourable mention for the residential category. The multi-level house, dominated by greys, white, steel and large windows, is designed to function like a small hotel, accommodating more than one family at the same time while ensuring HANES RESIDENCE project Tectonic Design www.tectonic-design.com photos Tonino Vicari ceramic surfaces Cotto d’Este www.cottodeste.it distributor Ciot www.ciot.com year of completion 2014 34 35 privacy for all the guests. The house features sliding doors and each suite has a bathroom and a private balcony. The common areas are large and brightly lit, reflecting the architect’s vision of light as a fully-fledged furnishing element. On the first floor a complete glass wall illuminates the living room and kitchen, while on the lower floor the relaxation and leisure room opens onto a terrace overlooking the valley. “The light and dark greys of Kerlite from Cotte d’Este, in the colours Office and Road, the angular shapes, colour and veins are reminiscent of the granite of the surrounding mountains,” explained Tonino Vicari. “It is nature itself that inspired this house: these surface coverings blend into the surroundings.” All elements of Hanes House exhibit a perfect balance between sustainability and design. Over Office Over Road spaces urban residential applications external façades ceramic surfaces Cotto d’Este porcelain tile Kerlite Over Office, Road cm 100x100 technical characteristics water absorption (ISO 10545-3): 0.1% bending strength (ISO 10545-4): ≥ 1000 N deep abrasion resistance (ISO 10545-6): ≤ 145 mm3 coefficient of linear thermal expansion (ISO 10545-8): compliant thermal shock resistance (ISO 10545-9): compliant frost resistance (ISO 10545-12): compliant chemical resistance (ISO 10545-13): ULA-UHA stain resistance (ISO 10545-14): class 5 slip resistance (DIN 51130): R9 certifications LEED, EMAS, NF-Upec, Ecolabel, ISO 14001 “The shape of the building, the lines of the reflecting metal roof and the layout and exposure of the rooms are all tied up with nature and its rhythms,” continued the architect. “As the house is mainly used in the summer, we had to ensure that it would keep cool during the hotter months. The north façade offers a spectacular view and features deep overhangs and a roof shaped so as to shade the interior from the hot afternoon sun.” The building is well insulated and adopts a passive cooling system along with ventilated exterior walls clad with large-format tiles. The construction materials and design are intended to improve interior ventilation and provide natural cooling for the large house. The doors and windows, furnishing accessories and lighting are all European. The architect opted for an open-space layout with neutral-coloured and geometrically-shaped furnishings and sofas and chose a small number of linear furnishing accessories. 36 37 Nothing detracts attention from the large windows, from the breathtaking views of magnificent, unspoilt nature. With the exception of a few minimalist suspension lamps, the lights are all ceiling mounted. Italian tiles were chosen for the floors and exterior walls, not only for their design and the colours that blended with those of the mountains, but above all for their high quality and ease of maintenance. “All the materials used were chosen to ensure that in ten years’ time the Hanes family will have a home that has remained unchanged since the time it was built.” Kerlite in particular was appreciated for its low thickness and weight. “Thanks to its clean lines, sustainability and timeless modernity, it enabled us to fully satisfy our client’s needs and wishes,” concluded Tonino Vicari. The open-space rooms with neutral colours and geometric lines are furnished with a small number of linear accessories. cer.market FIFTY YEARS OF HARD WORK EAST COAST FLOORING RETAILER AVALON FLOORING EXEMPLIFIES EXCELLENCE AS A DISTRIBUTOR OF ITALIAN TILE by Alexis Cassola Founded in 1963 by John Millar, Avalon Flooring began as a single store in Avalon, NJ. After 50 years of hard work and dedication, it has grown to 14 showrooms throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware and is now the seventh largest floor coverings retailer in the country. The company’s primary focus is facilitating the tile selection process for the customer - from its approachable, helpful employees to an entire “Inspiration” section on its website dedicated to aid prospective buyers in getting their projects started. . Avalon Flooring is also dedicated to reducing its impact on the environment, with a special recycling take-back program. With all of these exemplary qualities, the company’s appreciation of the beauty and technical excellence of Italian tile, carrying 18 premier Italian tile brands, was the final piece to make them the perfect candidate for the prestigious 2015 Confindustria Ceramica North American Distributor Award. Avalon Flooring’s Vice President of Ceramic Tile & Natural Stone, Scott Tolnai, chatted with us about how the company has maintained such a successful profile. Does being a family-owned business have a strong influence on Avalon Flooring’s method of operation? How so? No. Although we began as a family-owned business in 1963, we now have grown to a large company with 360 employees, so we need to be a very structural environment in order to have everything run smoothly. However, we do feel our goal to provide warm, professional service stems from our early roots. 38 39 . CERAMICS OF ITALY BRANDS AT AVALON FLOORING -Brennero -Campogalliano -Cerim -Dom -Emilceramica -Gruppo Beta Astor -Kale Italia -Novabell -Piemmegres -Ricchetti -Settecento Avalon Flooring constantly strive to preserve natural resources and reduce environmental impact. They feature highquality, green flooring options in their showrooms, and also operate their own recycling program. The company has continuously and impressively grown from a single store in 1963 to 14 showrooms throughout NJ, PA and DE. Do you have plans to continue expanding? If so, where to next? At the moment, we are refocusing on each department in our organization to ensure they are each operating efficiently. It is important to us to continuously improve upon the locations we already have, before continuing to grow the business. Perhaps we will continue to expand in the future but at the moment, there are no concrete plans for this. As a distributor of 18 Italian tile brands, can you comment on what makes Italian tile unique? We purchase tile from many different parts of the world but rely on the best new technologies, designs, and styles from Italy. The Italian tile manufacturers continue to pave the way for the entire tile industry which is why we know that carrying Italian tile brands as a retailer is very important. We will always continue to carry Italian tile. Who is the typical Avalon Flooring customer? How do you take this into consideration when selecting products for your stores? Avalon services a diverse customer base that includes retailers, builders, contractors, designers, architects and commercial developers. Finding a product that fits all categories has its challenges so we typically look for a product that can satisfy a wide variety of projects. With 14 stores located in three states we also have the challenge of accommodating different geographical areas. What sells in the city does not necessarily sell along the coast. We consider all of these factors when selecting which tile collections and brands to sell. We know your company is dedicated to sustainability - a topic we also value very highly. Could you describe your recycling program and other efforts to reduce your company’s environmental footprint? As a business, we understand our responsibility towards the environment, so we do whatever we can to reduce our environmental impact, and preserve 40 41 Italian tile manufacturers continue to pave «theThe way for the entire tile industry which is why we know that carrying Italian tile brands as a retailer is very important. natural resources. We currently recycle all used carpet that we remove from customers’ homes successfully diverting about two million pounds of used carpet from landfills in the area. Additionally, we feature high quality “green” flooring options in our showrooms. Have you had a positive experience working with Italian manufacturers? Is there anything they could adjust to facilitate the partnership? As a total flooring store that sells hardwood and carpet, we get a first hand look at the trends of what is selling. We have been able to share this information with some of our suppliers and they have turned these ideas into some of our best sellers. We feel this is a very valuable part of the relationship, as we are playing the client-facing role and through these interactions, we get a great impression of what styles are bestsellers and conversely which are less appealing to the customer. Italian manufacturers have been receptive to this feedback making for a successful, progressive partnership. How do you keep Avalon Flooring competitive in the marketplace? Anyone and everyone can buy and sell tile. What separates Avalon Flooring from the competition is our showrooms and merchandising. We strive to show full-scale designs with our vignettes as one of the biggest challenges our customers have is visualizing the finished design or concept. We want to help inspire the customer, so they can select the tile that truly fits the vision they have of their space. Can you comment on recent trends and technical innovations from the Italian tile industry that excite you? How do your customers react to these new products? Many of the advancements in Italian tile, such as digital imaging, have been widely accepted and adored. The ability to sell a wood-look or marblelook porcelain to a customer that could not use the real product in their application has created many more opportunities to sell tile. These products are more affordable, and more durable in a way that the natural materials cannot be. For example in heavily trafficked spaces or spaces prone to spills, such as kitchens and bathrooms, tile is an ideal flooring solution. » cer.market CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY picks up across the world designed by Freepik.com by Simone Ricci The end of the downturn appears to be in sight in several of the world’s continents, with next year expected to mark the end of the crisis that began back in 2007. The outlook is particularly promising for residential building, the real driving force behind the global construction industry. Next year the sector is expected to reach a global growth rate of +4.5%, almost twice the current year’s figure, although there will be marked variations between different regions in terms of intensity and strategies. The US is playing a particularly important role on the global stage. Whereas just a few years ago it was the epicentre of the crisis, it is now registering the world’s highest levels of performance with a growth rate that is expected to accelerate from +1.9% in 2014 to +7.1% next year, clearly demonstrating that its flexible economy is able to make the most of all opportunities that arise. The Latin American countries are in a very different situation with low or negative growth predicted until the end of 2015. After the fall of a few percentage points in 2014 and a similar downturn anticipated this year, it is only with next year’s forecast of 2.7% growth that the region is expected to emerge from the crisis. Western Europe, characterised by levels of red tape that on the one hand attenuate the effects of the crisis but on the other slow down the recovery, has maintained last year’s slight growth in 2015, while a full-scale recovery is expected for 2016. These positive results (amongst the highest recorded in the last ten years) have been possible thanks to the recovery of the German construction industry along with a general improvement in other European countries. In sharp contrast, Eastern Europe has suffered the world’s biggest decline in construction spending this year, mainly due to the crisis in the Russian market and the economic difficulties encountered by many neighbouring countries. Although a small recovery (less than 2%) is expected next year, this will be subject to very strong regional variations. A few years after the Arab Spring, the markets of Northern Africa are now witnessing what could be described as the “residential construction spring”. After emerging from the crisis this year, the area is expected to chalk up 4.4% growth next year, a value perfectly in line with the world average. This is an important result for at least two reasons: first, the fact that Africa is no longer left at the margins 42 43 RESIDENTIAL BUILDING INVESTMENTS VAR.% 2014-2016 CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE WESTERN EUROPE NAFTA ASIA GULF NORTH AFRICA WORLD LATIN AMERICA of the construction industry; second, the high rates of development observed across the continent. After a small 0.5% decline this year, the enormous Asian continent is expected to resume growth in 2016. The Middle East is the area that has performed most strongly throughout the crisis. During the three-year period considered, expansion remained consistently above 5%, driven by the strong oil-based economy, while at the same time the region is pursuing a policy of economic diversification embracing tourism and urbanization. Although the statistics for Asia are strongly influenced by the Chinese residential construction market - the largest anywhere in the world an outstanding performance has also been shown by India and Indonesia, two of the world’s most populous countries which are investing heavily in residential construction. Source: Prometeia | June 2015 Analyses and forecasts on the world ceramic tile market Buzon Pedestal International s.a. Manufacturer of screwjack pedestals specially designed for ceramic tiles. Used for the construction of raised floors, external terraces, decked areas and water features. Slope correction up to 5% Architects Specifiers Contractors Landscapers Roofers Builders Visit us ! H44 B39 [email protected] www.buzon-world.com cer.market SUSTAINABLE THINNESS . by Alfredo Zappa In the Italian language, the concept of “thinness” is associated with subtlety and intelligence, with sharpness of mind and the ability to find brilliant solutions to complex problems. It is therefore no wonder that ever since they made their first appearance in the world of architectural ceramics, thin tiles have amazed everyone for their intelligence, innovation, revolutionary production processes and ability to open up new fields of application. In the early 2000s, there was considerable skepticism about this product which was so radically different from anything that had come before. But it didn’t take long before its potential was fully recognized by the market and exploited by the manufacturers, who turned “thin” tiles into one of the most successful products of the last decade. To get an idea of the sheer scale of this innovation, it is worth remembering that not only were the first thin tiles made in thicknesses which had previously been unthinkable, they were also produced in unusual formats such as 3 metres by 1 metre. It is this ratio between surface area and thickness along with the overall lightness of the product that marked the real breakthrough. Broadly speaking, weights range from approximately 7.5 kg/m2 (for 3 mm tiles) to 11-14 kg/m2 (for 5 mm tiles), in other words between one half and one third 46 47 . SUSTAINABLE THINNESS of the corresponding figure for traditional products. The industrial process employs a meticulously selected blend of clays, rocks, feldspars and pigments, which are pressed under a very high load on a continuous belt or using special presses and then fired at a temperature of above 1200°C. This process has outstanding green credentials thanks to its limited use of raw materials, energy resources and water and consequently low environmental impact. It is capable of producing ceramic tiles and panels of considerable size, adding outstanding flexibility to the already undisputed properties of porcelain stoneware. For example, a 3 mm mesh-reinforced tile has a bending strength of about 90 N/mm2 in accordance with ISO 10545-4. To satisfy the strength and flexibility requirements of the various applications, thin tiles have been undergoing a gradual process of engineering and specialization that has led to the development of both hybrid solutions and variations within the production process. Today we can distinguish between the following kinds of products: simple tiles and panels in a range of sizes from 3 mm (ultra-thin) to 4.5 - 6 mm (thin); tiles and panels in various thicknesses reinforced with a glass fibre backing mat; sandwich panels produced by coupling tiles of equal or different thicknesses with their fair faces on the outside and an interposed glass fibre layer. The sizes of the individual elements vary from 3 by 1 metres for ultra-thin and thin tiles (simple or sandwich) to 60x120 cm for some thicker single-layer products, as well as the latest 6 mm panels measuring up to 320x160 cm. Of course, all submultiples are available as standard or on request for all the above-mentioned sizes. The properties of thin tiles and panels, coupled with their surface finishes and porcelain’s outstanding ability to reproduce the widest range of materials such as marble, wood, concrete and metal, have helped open up new fields of application and develop new design solutions in terms of technical characteristics and composition. Thin tiles became immediately popular as a floor and wall covering in home renovation projects because they can easily be installed over existing surfaces without the need for demolition. Moreover, their low weight ensures that they do not add too much extra load onto the building structure. They can also be used to cover or enhance plasterboard panels, walls and surfaces with complex geometries, and sliding and swing doors. Another field of application is that of exterior cladding and envelopes for new and renovated buildings, where they can be used either for traditional or ventilated facades or - due to their lightness, durability and low thickness as a finishing layer for external insulation systems. Interior design, architecture, furniture and nautical furnishings are just a few of the other sectors in which this new generation of tiles is increasingly being adopted, combining low thickness with intelligent use. looking for something special? SINCE 1974 INNOVATIONS FOR THE TILE SETTING PROFESSIONALS AREA 44 - BOOTH # 81 raimondispa.com 50 51 TRENDS LARGE-FORMAT TILES The trend towards large format tiles seems to show no limits - tiles are manufacturer getting larger and more spectacular Verde1999 all the time!! Verde 1999, which historically colours has always been a forerunner terracotta, white, black, in introducing the largest sizes grey, taupe available, has made a corporate size 90x90 cm (35”x35”) decision as to what the best “large 60x60 (24”x24”) formats” are for our current 20x20 (8”x8”) customer base. Its products are 15x15 (6”x6”) specified principally for residential 7,5x30 (3”x12”) 7,5x60 (3”x24”) and light to medium traffic commercial installations where decors the complexities involved in the tappeto mix transport of extra large slabs at every 2,5x2,5 cm (1”x1”) stage of the installation and the 30x30 cm (12”x12”) installation itself become prohibitive mosaico 5x5 cm (2”x2”) - 30x30 cm (12”x12”) both cost-wise and logistics-wise. For this reason, Verde1999 special items has concentrated its efforts on skirtings 7x90 (23/4”x35”) developing “smaller” large formats 7x60 cm (23/4”x24”) keeping within a 120x120 centimeter web (48”x48”) limit. This year at Cersaie, www.verde1999.com Verde 1999 will be presenting a totally new concept of large format terracotta. Passepartout, which in French means passkey, is a colossal 90x90 centimeter (36”x36”), exquisitely shaded and tastefully aged terracotta. Its color and genre fit in completely with French Provence décor, while its size and rectified edges make the tile the perfect backdrop for a modern or eclectic setting. Passepartout, however, does not stop at red terracotta! It has taken the concept to the next level by expanding the collection and creating a painted and worn terracotta! Imagine a painted terracotta tile with aged patches, scrapes, and scratches where the original colors show through! The look was so amazing that we developed it in four ultracontemporary colors – white, black, gray, and taupe which once again make this series extremely versatile. Despite the frenzy for huge tiles, quite a few markets still command smaller sizes, and Passepartout, in addition to the 90x90 (36”x36”), has a complete range of sizes for every need. PASSEPARTOUT ® When thin-body ceramic slabs were launched on the market a few years ago, the need for a manufacturer brand new (or almost) system Raimondi of laying and the related equipment arose. products T-Move, Cam300, That’s why the Raimondi R&D Free-cut, Free-flex, dept. has developed specific R.L.S., BM180 tools that give real answers for handling, cutting, finishing and web installing these materials. www.raimondispa.com/ freeline/ So, today we cannot speak about a product; but about a system. For picking up and moving we developed different types of frame (such as T-move) as well as the cart CAM300, perfect for the transport of one or more slabs and to perform easily and in safely the operation of spreading the adhesive on the back of the slab (“back-buttering”). The Free-cut guides and its accessories are the solution for every kind of cut (up to 426 cm in length), even with diamond disc. Particular attention should be put on the cutting units Free-flex 90° and Free-flex 35°/55° that, once on the free-cut guide, allow to do dry cuts with diamond blade as well as to perform square and rectangular holes and miter slabs with angle between 35° and 55°. This on slabs of maximum length of 426 cm and maximum thickness of 25 mm. The system is completed with a range of other products such as the modular bench BM180 designed to be the perfect work plan for large slabs, the slant ridge notched trowels (which provide excellent coverage) and R.L.S (Raimondi Levelling System) which eliminates tiles lippage. LARGE-FORMAT TILES LAYING SYSTEM cer.interview AS PART OF THE NEW GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY, LAND’S APPROACH TO CITY LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE INVOLVES MAKING TARGETED REPAIRS TO THE URBAN FABRIC WHILE RESPECTING THE EXISTING CONTEXT Guest Andreas Kipar STRATEGIES FOR NEW URBAN LANDSCAPES by Alessandra Coppa The practice LAND, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, has always adopted an approach to the design of open and green spaces based on a large-scale vision of the landscape. Even in their earliest projects, the group’s leaders Andreas Kipar and Giovanni Sala successfully combined their work on urban design and the landscape with a strong focus on the human and social scales. Today Kipar has fully embraced his role as an urban landscape architect, bringing together a German sense of practicality with the Italian inclination for theoretical and disciplinary reflection. After studying at the University of Essen, the historic capital of the Ruhr district, and then at Milan Polytechnic, he worked on urban masterplans with Giuseppe Campos Venuti in Emilia Romagna, Vezio de Lucia in Naples, Roberto d’Agos- tino in Venice, Federico Oliva in Milan, Bruno Gabrielli in Sardinia and Gian Carlo De Carlo in the Republic of San Marino. After moving permanently to Milan, he contributed to Milan’s first experiments in urban forestation as part of the BoscoinCittà project, followed by Parco Nord and most recently the Raggi Verdi (Green Rays) project, which includes such important urban areas as the Porta Nuova and Portello districts. These projects reveal his outstanding ability to observe the landscape with a view to repairing the urban fabric through a kind of “microsurgery” that listens to and takes account of the needs of citizens. This approach engenders a participatory process that is aimed not so much at designing greenery as creating a new aesthetic based on improved functionality of public spaces. . 52 53 Nagatino Park, concept 1. What does practising landscape architecture in Italy involve? Practising landscape architecture in Italy – and especially in the quintessentially European city of Milan – means first and foremost cultivating an ability to listen, honing our powers of observation so as to establish a continuous dialogue between solids and voids, between past and future, between consolidation and transformation, between public and private, between our everyday lives which absorb our energies and our capacity to dream. But it also means contributing to the debate on contemporary urban planning so as to develop proposals for the most urgent needs. LAND has been involved in projects to redevelop the abandoned areas of post-industrial Milan, including the Bicocca area where the old Pirelli factories are located, the former Maserati, OM Fiat and Alfa Romeo factories, and the former Garibaldi Repubblica railway station. Landscape architecture is a discipline that by its very nature must look beyond the narrow confines of individual projects in its investigations. This was the concept behind the Green Rays project, which represented a response on the part of civil society to the ever greater fragmentation of work on the urban fabric. More than a project, it is a vision that seeks to promote the continuous process of transformation towards greater urban permeability. What is the urban strategy behind the Green Rays project? The Green Rays are slow mobility paths that radiate out from the city centre towards the large parks to form a continuous system of open urban spaces. The project was incorporated into the Milan city council’s PGT (Land Administration Plan) as an urban development strategy. Implementation is subject to the availability of resources and the capacity 2. of sites. The Porta Nuova project and the Portello project are both part of the Green Rays strategy. They both address issues of slow mobility, central greenery and continuous, fluid open spaces that serve the surrounding neighbourhoods. The mission of the Green Rays is to create a sense of spatial permeability within a well constructed urban fabric. 3. 1. Moscow Green Strategy 2. Khodynka Park, masterplan, Moscow 3. International Financial Center, masterplan, Moscow This “European” vision of strategic landscaping, which sees the city and landscape as an integrated whole, would appear to be very different from the American approach known as “landscape urbanism”, a kind of cultural or urban renewal strategy that is more formalistic and detached from the context. Where is your work positioned between these two extremes? I would say that the European school is more effective today than its American counterpart as it invented the concept of “urbanity”. Architect and landscape designer Andreas Kipar is chairman, co-founder and technical director of the Milan-based company LAND. He is a member of the German Association of Landscape Architects (BDLA), the Italian Association of Landscape Architects (AIAPP), the German Association for Garden Design and Landscape Architecture (DGGL) and the Italian National Institute of Urban Planning (INU). Born in Gelsenkirchen, Germany in 1960, he graduated in Landscape Architecture from the University of Essen in 1984 and then graduated with honours in architecture from Milan Polytechnic in 1994, where he has been teaching Public Space Design since 2009. In 1985 he became an independent practitioner and founded the practice Kipar, which in 1990 was transformed into KLA Kiparlandschaftsarchitekten milano duisburg. The same year, he founded the company LAND Landscape Architecture Nature Development in Milan together with agronomist Giovanni Sala. Credits include the drafting of the green masterplans for the cities of Milan, Cagliari, Assemini, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia, Ravenna and Vercelli in Italy and Essen in Germany, as well as the Arcipelago Verde urban strategy in Rome and the Green Rays project in Milan. Completed park projects include collaboration from 1985 to 2000 on the Parco Nord (600 hectares), the Parco Rubattino (former Maserati factory), the public park of the former OM industrial area, the Parco Portello (former Alfa Romeo factory) in Milan, Krupp Park in Essen, Parco della Spina 3 in Turin, Parco delle Sabine in Rome and all the external landscaping for the Porta Nuova Project in Milan. In Russia he recently won an international competition for the design of three large parks in Moscow. Kipar is one of the founders of the association Green City Italia. Krupp Park, Essen (Germany), 2013. Porta Nuova, Milan (Italy), 2012. This is why I love living in Milan, one of the most densely-populated cities in Europe. Landscape urbanism detests urbanity. But as I grew up in the Ruhr region, I have a vision that is deeply rooted in urbanity and am now promoting a European policy called “Green Infrastructure”. Green Infrastructure, in which Green stands for Nature and Infrastructure stands for Technology, is a major step forward and a meeting point between natural and artificial. This new philosophy stems from the consideration that today human beings generate greater biodiversity in cities than nature itself. As people now mostly live in cities, paradoxically more trees are planted in cities than elsewhere. This marks the transition towards the new geological age called the Anthropocene. Green Infrastructure means greater environmental comfort, it means pure landscaping outside small boundaries so as to connect, bring together and monitor ecological systems. A new human scale landscape aesthetic is coming into being based on the real needs of society. What form do Green Infrastructures take in urban landscaping projects? For landscape architects like myself, this new aesthetic presents a fresh set of challenges in terms of urban planning. It is no longer applied by constructing new buildings but by reorganising the existing large-scale system. Green spaces are a vehicle for nature and, driven by the efficiency of new technologies, are forming into a new network. New city management uses an “invisible technological toolkit” to optimise services while minimising the impact on the landscape. The new Green Infrastructure aesthetic is the result of a new kind of “technological honesty” which generates a new form of urban design. This in turn creates a completely new kind of landscape, where wounds are not erased but remain partly open, where the rusticity of history is not trivialised, where there are no allusions to the language of the garden borrowed from someone else. These wounds that are part and parcel of history become elements to be interpreted and exploited, a form of sedimentation. They create an aesthetic that dialogues with the existing fabric without erasing it, but instead manifesting even its most brutal aspects. There’s a strong component of “participatory urban planning” in your approach to the design of urban greenery. In other words, you aren’t a landscape architect of forms but a landscape architect who works on urbanity and the humanity that lies behind it. How does all of this take place at a disciplinary level? Unlike in Italy, German society participates actively in urban strategies. How do the German and Italian sides of your training interact with this component of urban planning, which is a kind of participatory land strategy? How is this expressed in your work? I believe that attention to the human and urban scale is essential, it’s a way of perceiving the landscape. Like Goethe on his Italian journey, I perceive the landscape by trying to give an exceptional character to normality, by seeing the extraordinariness that lies behind ordinary, even trivial things. The difference with respect to the romantic traveller in search of subjective emotion is that the landscape architect observes the landscape and society in order to understand where problems lie. As Goethe wrote, the landscape is a “shaped form that can evolve only by living”. A project must keep the landscape alive be- © Marco Garofalo 54 55 What’s needed in the age of postmodernism would no longer appear to be a planning ideology but a new strategy for perception. What interests me is to perceive the landscape through the eyes of others. I can have a perception, but it counts for little because I don’t have to live there. By observing society you can understand the way other people perceive things. This allows you to develop a project that conveys unexpressed needs such as naturalness and comfort. In this respect, landscape design interprets change and reorganises the urban landscape by combining old and new elements. The responsibility for this lies with the landscape designer, who must be capable of combining greenery with routes, materials, furnishings and services, but also with less tangible aspects such as memory and emotions. unlike in the past, we no longer have to fulfil a representative, ornamental urban need. Today we use city public spaces as part of our working and leisure activities. The new Piazza Gae Aulenti in the Porta Nuova district offers a new interpretation of the square, which is at once boulevard, infrastructure, lake, play area and transit zone. The Porta Nuova Varesine project is characterised by a high degree of permeability of urban spaces and is a good example of “urbanity”. Key aspects include the continuity of the public space and connections and the diffused nature of the greenery and the way it is integrated with the building systems. LAND’s work has involved connecting two main squares - Porta Est and the Podio - by means of a large walkway called the Promenade, flanked by a large roof garden, the “garden of maples”, to create a continuous pedestrian space. The main landscape design elements used to repair the urban fabric consist on the one hand of the pavings and furnishing elements serving the city, and on the other of the green elements associated with the future project of the Biblioteca degli Alberi (Library of Trees). I believe that all our projects are part of a broader process and arrive in sections or fragments. Our art must be that of mixing: the spaces of the future must not be merely decorative but capable of telling a story. Public spaces in cities from the Renaissance onwards have always served as a kind of arena for urban rituals. Do you believe that landscape architecture should interpret places such as public squares based on the tradition of the European city or does something need to be rethought? I’d say we need to rethink everything because, “Not merely decorative but capable of telling a story” is one of the main characteristics of ceramic, a material that is increasingly being used by contemporary architects in public spaces. What do you think of this material? I believe that ultimately ceramic represents Nature herself and expresses a renewed relationship with the earth and the land. cause the landscape is an energy field, a social construct of space. Our role is to reveal the constructive and innovative energy of the landscape by solving problems. To do this, we must observe the landscape in order to understand the people who live there. Without this kind of participation, we will never get to the heart of the problem. For this reason, when I talk to the mayors of the cities where we are involved in projects, I now put forward the idea of “urban walking” as a way of making direct observations. Parco Portello, Milan (Italy), 2012. . Architecture Milan, Italy LAGARE HOTEL MILANO CENTRALE ceramic surfaces Tagina Ceramiche d’Arte www.tagina.com year of completion 2015 VERTIGO IN MILAN by Laura Maggi LaGare Hotel Milano Centrale is located in the ever-changing city of Milan, where each day sees the completion of new buildings that offer unexpected views and complement or contrast with the existing fabric, melding the bombast of the nineteenth century with the rationalism of the twentieth. It is just a short walk from the railway station, whose iconic structure combines a variety of styles including Liberty, Art Deco and the monumentality of fascist architecture, but is also close to Porta Nuova, a neighbourhood with a high concentration of designer buildings. The new Milan is best viewed from above, from vantage points that set new records for height. One such location is the hotel’s Rooftop Bar, a 13th floor grill & lounge bar offering breathtaking 360° views of the metropolitan face of the city, including the spectacular Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) towers which won the International Highrise Award in 2014. Purchased in 2012 by LaGare Spa, the building was converted into a hotel based on a project created by the company’s internal studio in accordance with the highest standards of quality and environmental sustainability. The presence of groundwater recovery systems and geothermal plants, the use of renewable energy and natural, local materials, waste recycling and windows with high thermal insulation are just a few of the factors that enabled the project to gain LEED Gold certification. . 56 57 spaces public hospitality spaces applications interior tiling ceramic surfaces Tagina Ceramiche d’Arte double fired tiles Joe Black Concave, Convex 15x15 cm technical characteristics water absorption (ISO 10545-3): ≤ 0.2% bending strength (ISO 10545-4): compliant surface abrasion resistance (ISO 10545-7): PEI 3 crazing resistance (ISO 10545-11): compliant chemical resistance (ISO 10545-13): GA-GLA-GHA stain resistance (ISO 10545-14): compliant THE SECRETS OF LAGARE HOTEL: A BREATHTAKING VIEW FROM THE ROOFTOP BAR AND A LONG STAIRCASE THAT UNFOLDS LIKE A RIBBON SCULPTURE certifications LEED Gold Joe black concave Joe black convex Not far from the famous Pirelli Tower designed by Gio Ponti, the hotel caters for business and nonbusiness customers with extensive common areas, 141 rooms and a large and well-equipped wellness area. LaGare Hotel Milano Centrale’s strong ties with the local area are also reflected in its culinary offerings, which range from a dynamic and organic energy breakfast based on natural products to traditional Milanese dishes available in a light version in the 4th floor LaGare Bistrot. The LaGare Café located in the lobby is the perfect place for a quick snack. All the interiors are furnished in a minimalist contemporary style and feature interesting designer items, high-quality surface covering materials and capitonné walls, with a preference for glass, wood and steel. One surface covering material that stands out in particular is that chosen for the splendid 4-metre-wide spiral staircase rising eight storeys from floor -1 to +6. Clad with Joe collection tiles from Tagina Ceramiche d’Arte featuring an original array of concave and convex shapes, it has been transformed into an architectural element with a unique sculptural presence. The 250 square metres of the staircase create an extremely dynamic visual effect thanks to the lively surface and blur texture of the Joe collection tiles, chosen in the colour total Black. . Architecture Bangkok, Thailand LOCATED WITHIN THE FORMER GARDENS OF THE BRITISH EMBASSY ON BANGKOK’S MAIN SHOPPING STREET, PLOENCHIT ROAD, CENTRAL EMBASSY IS AN ULTRA-LUXURY SHOPPING MALL WITH A FUTURISTIC ALUMINIUM FAÇADE INSPIRED BY ANCIENT THAI TEMPLES THAI LANDMARK by Donatella Bollani | Domus The first true contemporary landmark building in the city of Bangkok was created by Stirling Prize winning architect Amanda Levete, who worked for Richard Rogers before joining Future Systems and subsequently founding a new practice with partner Jan Kaplický. Central Embassy consists of a 7-storey retail podium and a 30-storey 6-star hotel tower which twists upwards like an aluminium coil, the material adopted for the futuristic envelope. The entire building receives natural light via two vertical light wells and opens onto the vertical gardens and internal stepped terraces created for the common areas of the hotel. Inspired by the models and textures of traditional Thai architecture, the building’s façade consists of three-dimensional modules that reflect both the light of the sky and the movement of the city to lend STARBUCKS CENTRAL EMBASSY project Amanda Levete Architetcts www.ala.uk.com ceramic surfaces Rex www.rex-cerart.it year of completion 2014 The shopping arcades in the new Central Embassy lifestyle mall in Bangkok. 58 59 The porcelain planks laid in a herringbone pattern over all the surfaces in the Starbucks Café – floors, ceilings and walls – create a highly elegant effect. . Selection Oak white oak spaces recreation and socialisation applications floors, interior surfaces and false ceilings ceramic surfaces Rex Selection Oak white oak, cream 20x120 cm technical characteristics water absorption (ISO 10545-3): ≤ 0.1% bending strength (ISO 10545-4): > 40/N mm2 - > 1700 N resistance to deep abrasion (ISO 10545-6): < 150 mm3 coefficient of linear thermal expansion (ISO 10545-8): compliant thermal shock resistance (ISO 10545-9): compliant crazing resistance (ISO 10545-11): compliant frost resistance (ISO 10545-12): compliant chemical resistance (ISO 10545-13): UA-UHA stain resistance (ISO 10545-14): compliant slip resistance (DIN 51130): R9 Selection Oak cream oak unique iridescence to the entire body of the building. The development and implementation of the project took account of the characteristics of the Thai construction industry, which has a large supply of labour but high costs for the development and application of hi-tech solutions. The result was a masterful balance between the complexity of the design and construction process and the manual skills and expertise of local workers. This meant that the most innovative construction solutions could easily be shared and applied to create a finished result of exceptional architectural quality and craftsmanship. The interiors stand out for their meticulous attention to construction detail and for the iconic nature of the retail spaces, dominated by the plastic volumes of the elevators and high intermediate floors overlooking the central courts. These, together with the minimalist and modern design project, create a peaceful, sheltered space in marked contrast to the bustle of the surrounding urban areas. These relaxation and shopping spaces are served by numerous bars and restaurants distributed over the various floors, many of which overlook the terraces and vertical gardens extending over the entire height of the building. In marked contrast to the bright white spaces of the shopping mall, Starbucks Café was conceived as a haven, inspired by the colours and atmosphere of coffee warehouses. To create an image reminiscent of old docks, Selection Oak porcelain tiles from Rex were chosen as the surface covering material for the floors and false ceilings and for some of the walls and shelves. Wood-effect planks with warm, natural tones laid in a herringbone pattern create a vintage aesthetic combined with the contemporary qualities of this highly versatile and extremely hard-wearing material, ideal for attaining the highest levels of performance required in high-traffic spaces in the contract furnishing sector. certifications Ecolabel, LEED, NF-Upec A detail of the Starbucks Café in the Central Embassy shopping mall. The wood-effect planks create an old fashioned image reminiscent of coffee warehouses. Foto: Vincenzo Conelli cer magazine cer. trend VIRTUALSTYLE: A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT by IMAGEM www.imagem.it Ce.Vi. Ceramica Vietrese double fired tile Napoli Vintage Grotta Grise accent Italgraniti white body wall tile White Experience Royal Beige brushed Emilceramica porcelain tile Kotto XL Mattone 62 63 Kotto XL Mattone Napoli Vintage Grotta Grise White Experience Royal Beige Do Up Cover Sabbia Game of Fifteen Boris Tellegen Tribeca Grey Keramos Creta Ascot white body double fired tiles Game of Fifteen #2 Boris Tellegen Abk porcelain wall tile Do Up Cover Sabbia City accent Century fine porcelain tile Keramos Esagona Creta Ceramica Rondine glazed porcelain tile Tribeca Grey Brick Generation Project . Architecture Koblenz, Germany COMPUGROUP MEDICAL NEW HEADQUARTERS ENERGY EFFICIENCY, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND HIGH TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE ARE THE KEY FEATURES OF THE NEW CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN KOBLENZ 64 65 by Livio Salvadori | Casabella With annual revenues of around 500 million euros, a unique customer base of 400,000 doctors, dentists, hospitals, pharmacies, networks and other service providers, branches in 19 countries and customers in 43 different countries worldwide, CompuGroup Medical is one of the world’s leading medical information and communication technology companies. It has more than 4,200 highly qualified employees and provides customers with software, services, hardware and drCloud solutions including CGM Life eServices, an advanced doctor-patient online communication system, thus helping to create a secure and efficient healthcare service. The new headquarters in Koblenz marks the beginning of another chapter in CGM’s 25-year history. Standing as a tangible symbol of growth and a successful quest for new ideas and developments, the new corporate headquarters built inside the CompuGroup Medical Technology Park represents the company’s dynamism and innovation. An example of rigour and compositional elegance, the project led by Vallendar-based practice Fries Archtekten involved both the construction of new buildings and the conservation of some of the original elements, which were COMPUGROUP MEDICAL project Fries Architekten www.fries-architekten.de photos Luciano Busani ceramic surfaces Ceramiche Monocibec www.monocibec.it distributor Kochhan Josef www.kochhan.de year of completion 2012 . Flooded with natural light, the large hall connecting the various volumes in the complex stands out for its environmental quality, in no small part thanks to the continuous ceramic floor tiling. incorporated successfully into the overall project. Amongst the key aims identified during the design phase, the goal of energy efficiency was fully achieved. The heat demand of the new building has been reduced by more than 80%, allowing for effective heat recovery and making this one of the most significant examples of energy saving anywhere in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. The computerised system, the almost complete absence of thermal bridges and the insulated building envelope ensure that warm air is kept inside the building while cold external air is suitably heated before being introduced. This reduces environmental influences, noise and air pollution. Smart daytime lighting systems, LED lighting and skylights are further potential sources of energy saving. With its classic modernist style, the bright and transparent architectural structure exploits the daylight flooding in through the large windows to emphasise the heights of the interiors and the clean composition. The complex is essentially divided into three functional areas making up a . 66 67 spaces business areas applications interior floor coverings In&out Medium Greystone In&out Dark Greystone ceramic surfaces Ceramiche Monocibec In&Out Medium Greystone, Dark Greystone 50x100 - 66.6x66.6 33.3x66.6 cm technical characteristics water absorption (ISO 10545-3): compliant bending strength (ISO 10545-4): ≥ 35 N/mm2 deep abrasion resistance (ISO 10545-6): compliant coefficient of linear thermal expansion (ISO 10545-8): compliant thermal shock resistance (ISO 10545-9): compliant frost resistance (ISO 10545-12): compliant chemical resistance (ISO 10545-13): compliant stain resistance (ISO 10545-14): compliant slip resistance (DIN 51130): R9 nat certifications LEED total of around 4,000 square metres of modern, inviting spaces. These include the Forum used for hosting events and an office building complete with fitness centre for use by company employees. The head office itself extends over four floors and has a curved façade and a large, brightly lit atrium that serves as the connecting hub between the individual volumes. The products selected by the architect for the continuous floor covering in the large hall are Italian-made tiles from Monocibec’s In&Out series. Installed in colours Medium Greystone and Dark Greystone, these large porcelain tiles provide a sophisticated functional solution and contrast effectively with the mirror polished surfaces of the furnishings. Specially designed for use in large-scale contemporary architecture projects, the collection was chosen for the variety of available colours, sizes and finishes as well as its high level of performance. The project won second prize in the third edition of the Quinquennial Tile Award, an international award organised by Fincibec Group to recognise original use of ceramic tiles in architecture. . Architecture Uherské Hradiště, Czech Republic FRAGMENTS OF SKY BLUE WATER SURFACES AND CERAMIC WAVES CREATE A MULTICOLOURED FLOOR COVERING IN THE SWIMMING, LEISURE AND RELAXATION AREAS OF THE UHERSKÉ HRADIŠTE WATER PARK . 68 69 AQUAPARK WATER PARK project Saura Development Solutions www.saurasolutions.com ceramic surfaces Ceramica Vogue www.ceramicavogue.it distributor Fin Gres Sro www.fingres.cz photos Luciano Busani year of completion 2010 by Elisa Montalti | www.designcontext.net A futuristic structure with large porthole-style windows welcomes guests at the entrance to Aquapark Uherské Hradiště, built by the town council as part of a programme to promote more active use of sports and leisure facilities by the public. This focus on health and leisure for all ages led to the creation of a water-based theme park with pools with different sizes and functions for swimming, wellness, relaxation and leisure. The original structure, part of a large sports complex, is reminiscent of a fleet of ships. The front entrance façades have a compact appearance but open out at the rear towards the external garden via large glazed surfaces. The Olympic swimming pool is lit by large industrial shed-shaped skylights, giving the large space an almost outdoor feel with light that changes through the course of the day. The town council initially assigned the renovation and expansion project to Saura Development Solutions of Brno, which performed a feasibility study based on the need to keep the Olympic swimming pool open to the public for as long as possible during the work. The aim was to build a water park which would have a social function and serve as a recreational centre for citizens in both winter and summer. For this purpose, it is equipped with a large green area at the back where the slides and outdoor pools are located. The meticulously designed colour project followed for the interior surfaces aimed to create a stimulating and dynamic space. The colours sky blue, aviation blue and cobalt were used in the swimming pool areas to stimulate physical activity, while an orange palette was chosen for the waiting rooms and relaxation Furnishings, edgings and signs stand out against the white surface thanks to a graphic and colour design inspired by the movement of water. . The project makes skilful use of a “stimulating blue” colour in the dynamic sports spaces and a “soothing orange” palette in the waiting and relaxation rooms. . 70 71 areas for its soothing qualities. The ceramic tiles were supplied by Ceramica Vogue in a 10x10 cm size, chosen in various colours and with a non-slip satin finish. The coloured inserts used around the Olympic swimming pool and hot tubs create the impression of floating on a prevalently ice coloured geometric surface, resulting in dynamic perspectives. This design fits in perfectly with both the clean, sharp lines of the Olympic pool and the soft, sinuous shapes of the hot tubs, where the columns stand like coloured totem poles in harmony with the blue of the water. Coloured patterns are also used to define the spaces and paths. They delineate perimeter and pool-edge lines, form skirting, and create a sense of space and volumes in a palette of colours ranging from cobalt to aviation blue and sky blue. This gives the appearance of a series of ceramic waves extending beyond the edge of the pool in a play of colours and geometries. The walls are dominated by a yellow palette, tending towards mandarin and red, colours that are also used in the waiting rooms and relaxation areas. Here too the square modules define the perimeters and skirting, lending greater dynamism to the white surface that serves as a backdrop to the furnishings in the waiting and wellness areas. spaces health spaces, sports buildings applications interior floor coverings ceramic surfaces Ceramica Vogue porcelain tiles Interni, Flooring, Grip Blu Avio, Cielo, Cobalto, Ghiaccio, Giallo, Mandarino, Rosso 10x10 cm Interni Blu Avio Interni Cielo Interni Cobalto Interni Ghiaccio technical characteristics water absorption (ISO 10545-3): 1.5% bending strength (ISO 10545-4): ≥ 40/N mm2 coefficient of linear thermal expansion (ISO 10545-8): compliant thermal shock resistance (ISO 10545-9): compliant crazing resistance (ISO 10545-11): compliant frost resistance (ISO 10545-12): compliant chemical resistance (ISO 10545-13): GB min. stain resistance (ISO 10545-14): compliant slip resistance (DIN 51130): R10 (Flooring) R11 (Grip) certifications LEED Interni Giallo Interni Mandarino Interni Rosso . Architecture Atlanta, Georgia, USA URBAN SPIRITUALITY by Donatella Bollani | Domus Atlanta’s new Presbyterian church stands at the corner of Peachtree Street, the main north-south road running through Georgia’s state capital. The building was designed by Gertler and Wente Architects, a firm with more than thirty years of experience across the US specialising in urban projects, public buildings, universities and works for non-profit organisations. The practice is also responsible for the design of North American retail spaces for such luxury brands as LVMH, Christian Dior, Fendi, Ermenegildo Zegna and Tiffany. In this smaller scale project, Gertler and Wente Architects fulfilled the Presbyterian congregation’s request for a modern church with a strong urban character that would be friendly and easily accessible to the large community it serves. Although the shorter side of the site is relatively small, the southern edge runs for a long way along the main road, and at the intersection between the boundary roads the architects were able to delineate a public space. This enabled them to create a building that would be recognisable and welcoming while maintaining a strong identity. The design of the façades is based on the contrasting colours of ceramic wall tiles from Marazzi. The Monolith series and the Soho series with its 3D finish are used in alternation on the entrance volumes and on the roadside structure intended to house offices and a café. The decision to use the same finish on the interior floors and in the reception areas outside the church made it possible to create a natural continuity between the sanctuary and the urban space. This design element, which involved the installation of Soho series tiles, won the ChristChurch Presbyterian an honourable 72 73 WINNER OF AN HONOURABLE MENTION IN THE CERAMICS OF ITALY TILE COMPETITION 2015, THE CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERIAN IN ATLANTA IS AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF A RELIGIOUS BUILDING THAT COMBINES CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE WITH FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND A LARGE RECEPTION CAPACITY CHRIST CHURCH PRESBYTERIAN project Gertler & Wente Architects, LLP, www.gwarch.com photos Timothy Eckersley ceramic surfaces Marazzi www.marazzi.it year of completion 2014 The large sanctuary can accommodate up to almost a thousand worshippers. The floor covering coordinates seamlessly with the porcelain ceramic elements of the exterior spaces. mention in the “Exterior Installation Recognition of Excellence” category of the Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition 2015. The award, promoted by Confindustria Ceramica and the Italian Trade Commission ICE, is now in its twenty-second year and has reaffirmed its mission of recognising North American architecture and interior designer practices that use Italian tiles in their projects with an innovative approach and a strong focus on quality. Marazzi also won the Compasso d’Oro ADI 2011 Honourable Mention for the design of Soho porcelain tile. The same product had already won other international awards including the EDIDA award and the International Best Design of the World. Although the client decided not to proceed with LEED certification, the project nonetheless focused strongly on reducing environmental impact. About half the surface area was recovered from an existing building which also underwent energy upgrading. The heating and cooling systems, the water system and the lighting solutions guarantee low energy consumption, while the electrochromic glass surfaces – shielded by metal solar screens – allow solar gain to be controlled and optimise energy requirements for cooling. . 74 75 The corner solution adopted on the building’s entrance façade is clad with white coloured tiles of size 60x120 cm. Monolith Anthracite spaces places of worship applications exterior façade internal floor covering ceramic surfaces Marazzi fine porcelain tile Soho series Anthracite, Grey 60x60 - 60x120 cm Monolith series natural and bushhammered white - 60x120 cm technical characteristics water absorption (ISO 10545-3): ≤ 0.05% bending strength (ISO 10545-4): ≥ 45/N m2 deep abrasion resistance (ISO 10545-6): 120-150 mm3 coefficient of linear thermal expansion (ISO 10545-8): ≤ 9 MK-1 thermal shock resistance (ISO 10545-9): compliant frost resistance (ISO 10545-12): compliant chemical resistance (ISO 10545-13): compliant stain resistance (ISO 10545-14): compliant slip resistance (DIN 51130): R9 (Soho) R10-R11 (Monolith) certifications Ecolabel, LEED, NF-Upec Monolith Grey Soho White cer.doc 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 01.GF02 BORIS TELLEGEN ASCOT Format cm 24x24 Pages 40 Photos 28 à www.ascot.it 02.CEMENTO CASALGRANDE PADANA Format cm 21x29.7 Pages 40 Photos 18 à casalgrandepadana.com 03.FACADES CENTURY Format cm 23x29.7 Pages 52 Photos 13 à www.century-ceramica.it 04.2015 GENERAL CATALOGUE CERAMICA RONDINE Format cm 21x29.7 Pages 416 Photos 130 à www.ceramicarondine.it 05.FOULARDS DE MAIO FRANCESCO Format cm 24x24 Pages 32 Photos 21 à www.francescodemaio.it 06.2015 COLLECTION DEL CONCA FAETANO Format cm 17x22 Pages 523 07.CATALOGUE ECODESIGN Format cm 21x29.7 Pages 72 à www.delconca.com à www.ecodesign.it 08.KOTTO XL EMILCERAMICA Format cm 21x29.7 Pages 90 Photos 28 à www.emilceramica.it CERSAIE 2015 • 28 SETTEMBRE • PADIGLIONE 29 • D80/C77 . cer doc 11 12 13 14 09.WHITE EXPERIENCE ITALGRANITI Format cm 24x33 Pages 104 Photos 38 à www.italgranitigroup.com 10.MAPEI SYSTEMS FOR THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRIES MAPEI Format cm 24x28 Pages 52 Photos 57 à www.mapei.com 11.KAURI NUOVOCORSO Format cm 21x28 Pages 20 Photos 4 à www.nuovocorso.it 12.TERRE NOSTRE TAGINA CERAMICHE D’ARTE Format cm 28x28 Pages 90 Photos 40 à www.tagina.it 13.THE COLLECTION. 2014/2015 UNICOMSTARKER Format cm 24.5x24.5 Pages 320 Photos 260 à www.unicomstarker.com 14.PASSEPARTOUT VERDE 1999 Format cm 21X29.7 Pages 24 Photos 7 à www.verde1999.com FOR INFORMATION AND TO ORDER COPIES OF CATALOGUES, SEND EMAIL TO: [email protected] 10 > 09 welcomeadv.it