One of the key concepts which we have been working on since the beginning of our DesignTaleStudio experience is that of “large size”: it is no coincidence, in fact, that the Pareti d’Autore with their 120_60 cm are probably one of the largest products on the ceramic industry market. We have total confidence in this project because we think that large size claddings can offer architects surprising creative opportunities, as they can be used to plan surfaces that partially elude the traditional “visual grid” logic imposed by the intersection of grout lines between the tiles, and they allow for stunning personalization of spaces even using a single slab only.

Again on the subject of the large size concept, we have recently spoken about the Conference Centre in Merida designed by architects Nieto and Sobejano (as well as visiting the architects’ web-site, we further suggest you to look at these beautiful pictures of the building on Flickr). The external cladding is carried out using large cement slabs on which a relief map of the city’s streets is reproduced in negative. The slabs have been created using five different rubber casts, all deriving from a single slab from an original idea designed by the sculptor Esther Pizarro: the slabs follow four basic patterns and create a peculiar and distinctive effect, thus managing to turn the building, in a very short space of time, into one of the symbolic icons of contemporary Spanish architecture.

The aspect that has been the most interesting and inspiring for us as well, is this attempt to merge art and building “materials” which has enabled the architects to achieve an absolutely unique effect on the external cladding. This was unlikely to be achieved using small size formats. Today, DesignTaleStudio only produces slabs for interiors, but we know that the properties of porcelain stoneware would allow for a successful outdoor performance. It is often used as a “surrogate” for marble and natural stone, though offering greater aesthetic opportunities, and many more especially if compared to concrete… who knows, perhaps one day we will offer outdoor solutions too.

Technorati Tags: architecture, cement, ceramics, design, designtalestudio, external coverings, internal coverings, large size formats, merida, nieto, porcelain stoneware, sobejano

Pubblicato il 12 September 2007 da Alberto in Ideas | |