Tile International 2/2020 by Kairos Media Group (div. ceramics)

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Schlüter ®-ARCLINE Flexible und individuelle Badgestaltung mit Profil Profiles for adaptive, customised bathroom design

Für innovative Gestaltung, hohe Flexibilität und ein Plus an Funktionalität im Badezimmer steht Schlüter-ARCLINE – das neuartige Profilsystem zur Aufnahme von hochwertigen Accessoires. Nach dem Motto „Klicken statt Bohren“ bleiben dank der ARCLINE-Profile die Fliesen und die dahinterliegende Abdichtung unbeschädigt. Hochwertige KEUCO-Accessoires erlauben in Kombination mit den praktischen Schlüter-Profilen eine neuartige, flexible und individuelle Badgestaltung. Sie entscheiden, ob Sie Fliesen, Profile und Glasträgerplatten Ton in Ton oder kontrastierend aufeinander abstimmen. Schlüter-ARCLINE – the innovative profile system for attaching high-quality accessories – stands for creative design, adaptable for greater bathroom functionality. Due to their special “No drill” design, ARCLINE profiles keep tiles and the underlying waterproofing assembly permanently protected. The elegant KEUCO accessories, in combination with practical Schlüter profiles, enable a new approach to adaptive bathroom design. The design of tiles, profiles and glass support panels can be combined for decorative contrasts or blended aesthetic.

www.schlueter-systems.com

Schlüter ®-DITRA-HEAT-E Warme Füße garantiert Warm feet guaranteed

Wer glaubt, dass elektrische Boden- und Wandbeheizung ein teurer Spaß ist, der hat die Rechnung ohne Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-E gemacht. Denn schnelles Aufheizverhalten und punktgenaue Zeitsteuerung machen warme Füße zu einem preiswerten Vergnügen. Und die praktische Verlegung der Heizdrähte in der Entkopplungsmatte spart schon beim Verlegen jede Menge Zeit. If you think an electrical floor and wall heating system is too expensive, re-calculate your investment with Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-E. The system’s quick heat-up response and precise control makes it easy to have warm feet without draining your wallet. The simple press-to-fit heating wires within the uncoupling membrane layer saves considerable time during installation.

www.progressprofiles.com

A workmanlike tiling anywhere, everywhere for any type of outdoor raised flooring.

PROSUPPORT TUBE SYSTEM ED

NT PATE

FIX SIDE

PRORAIL SYSTEM

NT PATE

SELF - LEVELING SIDE

NT PATE

PRORAIL PROFILE

PRORAIL RET

PRORAIL RING

PRORAIL RUBBER

PRORAIL SPACER 02

Progress Profiles SpA

Certificated company UNI EN ISO 9001:2015

GET IT ON

PROSUPPORT SLIM SYSTEM

PRORAIL SPACER 04

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ErhÃ¤ltlich bei

ANTI-NOISE AND ANTI-SLIP DISK

LEVELLER

BASE WITH FLAPS 2 mm

BASE WITH FLAPS 4 mm

OPEN AIR Una superficie naturale, materica e vissuta. Preziosa nella sua eleganza sobria e sorprendente. A natural surface, tactile, vintage effect. Contemporary, understated, and surprising.

ascot.it

SANITARY WARE

www.seramiksan.com

PORCELAIN GRANITE

SINCE 1974 INNOVATIONS FOR THE TILE SETTING PROFESSIONAL

HANDLING

SCORE CUTTING

WET AND DRY 90° AND 45° BEVEL CUT

WET AND DRY 45° BEVEL CUT

VIBRATION (AIR REMOVAL)

“SCREW” LEVELING SYSTEM

“CLIP/WEDGE” LEVELING SYSTEM THE MOST COMPLETE RANGE OF TOOLS FOR LARGE FORMAT TILES FIND OUT MORE raimondispa.com CIRCULAR CUTS

CREATE TABLES

CREATE STAIRS AND COUNTERTOPS

CORNERS PROTECTION

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PUBLISHER: Tile Edizioni S.r.l. Capitale Sociale: Euro 51.400,00 R.E.A. 329775 Periodico bimestrale registrato presso il Tribunale di Modena al n. 22/17 in data 10/08/2017 Iscrizione al ROC n. 9673

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ABOUT US

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OFFICE: Tile Edizioni S.r.l. Via Fossa Buracchione 84 41126 Baggiovara (Modena) - Italy Tel. +39 059 512 103 - Fax +39 059 512 157 info@tiledizioni.it - www.MaterialiCasa.com EDITOR AND PUBLISHING COORDINATION: GIAN PAOLO CRASTA - g.crasta@tiledizioni.it © 1989 Tile Italia

parati, è assolta dall’Editore ai sensi dell’art 74 primo comma lettera C del DPR 26.10.72 N. 633 e successive modificazioni.

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Sara Falsetti Paola Giacomini Sabino Menduni Chiara Poggi Sabrina Tassini SECRETARIAT: info@tiledizioni.it GRAPHIC LAYOUT: Sara Falsetti EACH COPY: Euro 4 SUBSCRIPTION: www.tiledizioni.it/subscription • Italy, 1 year: Euro 50 • Abroad, 1 year: Euro 70 • Italy, 2 years: Euro 70 • Abroad, 2 years: Euro 90 L’abbonamento decorre dal mese di distribuzione. Tariffe speciali per gli abbonamenti collettivi sono disponibili su richiesta Conto Corrente Postale 20026415 intestato a Tile Edizioni srl. Spedizione in abbonamento postale presso la Filiale di Modena. L’IVA sugli abbonamenti, nonché sulla vendita dei fascicoli se-

ADVERTISING: Tile Edizioni Tel. +39 059 512 103 Fax +39 059 512 157 • Paola Giacomini p.giacomini@tiledizioni.it · +39 335 186 4257 • Silvia Lepore s.lepore@tiledizioni.it · +39 392 572 0288 • Alberto Tolomelli a.tolomelli@tiledizioni.it · +39 335 594 8681 • Elisa Verzelloni e.verzelloni@tiledizioni.it · +39 338 536 1966

iles Ceramic t t x for the ne ns generatio

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betonico

CONTENTS 8 12 26

EDITORIAL - Another magazine?

ECONOMICS: The world’s top ceramic tile manufacturers Worldwide tile production and exports FEP: the European wood flooring market in 2019

24 26 28 32

Gian Paolo Crasta

TILENEWS IN THE SPOTLIGHT - Original Parquet marks 25TH anniversary Luca Baraldi (MECS) Paola Giacomini Courtesy of: I Love Parquet

PHOTONEWS - Eterno Ivica for Mediterraneo Camping Village IN THE SPOTLIGHT: 34 RAK Ceramics confident of a post-pandemic recovery 38 Major boost for Ascot and Dom 42 Innovation, digitalization and efficiency for VitrA 46 PHOTONEWS - Fustecma solutions for the new Grespania showroom 48 CERAMIC (R) EVOLUTION 52 THE BEST IN CERAMIC - Gallery 72 DUBAI WORLD EXPO - The top 6 pavilions

Milena Bernardi Paola Giacomini Paola Giacomini

PROJECTS: A new life for Manifattura Tabacchi in Rovereto

78 80 Schlüter-Systems for exterior coverings at Ariostea HQ 82 Remodelling: Wahroonga private residence, Australia 86 Laying technologies COVER PICTURE BY: Provenza by Emilgroup • www.emilgroup.it Photographer: Giancarlo Pradelli @ Cersaie 2019 • ADVERTISER’S LIST: pag. 22

(UPSIDEDOWN) COVER PICTURE: Shou County Culture and Art Center by Studio Zhu-Pei Photography: Schran Images • Full article on: https://www.materialicasa.com/mc-en/ projects/shou-county-culture-and-art-center-by-studio-zhu-pei/

26 30 36 38

2 6 12 14 20 24

MATERIAL MIX - products gallery PROJECTS: Casa Bures, Barcelona: transformation and conservation Cosentino surfaces at The Leonardo, South Africa A historic residence in Montreal PHOTONEWS - The Founder’s Office, Abu Dhabi FRESH TALKS - OR.NAMI: eclecticism on wallpaper

Sabrina Tassini

TRENDS - Colors & Surfaces: waiting for the future PHOTONEWS - Pietre d’Arredo for “Borgo dei Castelli Romani” INTERVIEW - A winning interior design “SKEMA” EDITORIAL - Yet another magazine?

Sabrina Tassini Gian Paolo Crasta

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Another magazine? As always in Issue 2 of Tile International, the pages that follow bring you the latest news on the two main covering products: ceramic and parquet. As you can imagine, both segments have suffered setbacks this year, and what might happen over the months to come has never been harder to predict. For example, Cresme, an Italian economic research organisation specialising in the construction industry, is forecasting a worldwide downturn of 4% in construction investment for 2020, accompanied by downturns in the ceramic and parquet sectors. World tile production fell by 3.7% in 2019 and a further downturn (of 8.5%) is expected this year. The European Parquet Federation (FEP), meanwhile, is forecasting a fall in production and consumption across Europe for the current year, despite the modestly positive results achieved in 2019, namely +1.2% for consumption and +1.6% for production.

In an interview with the Italian daily newspaper “Il Corriere della Sera”, Madhav Chinnappa, Director of News Ecosystem Development at Google, recently said there is “something profound and visceral about the experience of physical reading. Daily newspapers will have to evolve and focus on their distinctive value. Some will change their publication intervals: but I don’t think they’ll become extinct.” 

We can only agree with him, because we’ve been committed to providing quality content for the coverings and finishings community for over 20 years. We’ve built an information ecosystem that originates with our printed magazines and extends to the web, direct marketing and social media, because reliable information is a valuable commodity, perhaps now more than ever before. Madhav Chinnappa would seem to agree: “People who search for news [on Google, ed.] hardly ever see anything reliable.”

The forecasts of Rak Ceramics and Victoria plc Group, the two ceramic groups we interviewed, remain positive, however, and point to the continued vitality of the ceraUPSIDEDOWN mic industry, its entrepreneurial spirit and its constant capacity for innovation and aggregation, to create ever larger global players. A few hours before going to print, we also received news of ABK Group’s acquisition of Gardenia Orchidea – another promising development against an otherwise less-than-rosy backdrop. ✕

That’s why, over the past few months, we’ve been working hard to build a new cross-media product called “Surfaces International”. This new magazine, published in both printed and electronic format, embraces a full range of architectural materials, and therefore shows the flip-side of the world of coverings that we’ve traditionally focused on, thus completing and complementing it. This is also why we’ve decided to pair it up with Tile International. By simply rotating the magazine through 180°, readers of the print edition can read the new content, and gain a whole new magazine with a simple physical act.

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EDITORIAL

Gian Paolo Crasta g.crasta@tiledizioni.it

For SAFE AND

ProTECTED SPACES

RAKCERAMICS.COM

NEWS

The ceramic industry mourns Giuseppe Mussini

ABK chooses Interceramic for the exclusive distribution in China

Giuseppe Mussini, CEO of Panaria Ceramica, passed away on 15 September at the age of just 57 from an incurable illness. A crowd gathered to pay their last respects at the funeral held in Sassuolo. Alongside fellow entrepreneurs from the Sassuolo ceramic district, the ceremony was attended by friends, associates and numerous members of the public wishing to show their support to the Mussini family following their terrible loss. Giuseppe Mussini was well known not just for his outstanding business skills, but also, among those who knew him, for his exceptional qualities as a human being: his love for life and his family, his sunny disposition and the warmth and empathy he brought to all his personal relationships, his enthusiasm and positive outlook, and the determination that enabled him to battle to the last against his illness. Giuseppe Mussini is survived by his wife Gloria and their three children Fabio, Francesco and Federico, his parents Giuliano and Gemma, his brothers Emilio, Paolo and Marco and his sister Silvia. Our editorial team offers its deepest sympathy and condolences to the whole family.

Abk - Abk Group brand that is among the top 10 players in the Italian ceramic sector - signed a strategic partnership agreement with ICC (Interceramic in China), a company affiliated to the North American Interceramic, for the exclusive distribution of its products on the Chinese market. ICC, operating in the Asian country since 2010, offers an innovative design concept and cutting-edge marketing strategies that have revolutionized the distribution of tiles and large slabs in China. The lockdown caused by the COVID-19 emergency, which hit China and then the rest of the world, slowed the distribution start, scheduled for the first months of 2020; meanwhile, they completed the setting up of 26 showrooms that are al-

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ready open to the public today. By the end of the summer, ICC plans to complete further 24 showrooms to achieve at least 100 total stores by the first quarter of 2021, mostly in the main cities of the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;ICC is a qualified partner - Alessandro Fabbri explains, ABK Group Sales & Marketing Director - attentive to the requests and needs of architects and interior designers, in full harmony with our corporate philosophy. Since its inception, ABK focused on the development of cutting edge and high quality products, aesthetically attractive and technologically innovative. This was made possible thanks to the constant work on technological innovation and the ability to bring in the world our personal sensitivity and attention to design and interior decoration, combined with the added value of Made in Italyâ&#x20AC;?.

Discover RE_TOUR collection @ flavikerpisa.it. Brand of ABK GROUP

NEWS

Floor Italia Ceramiche presents 2020-21 catalogue Floor Italia Ceramiche, a Salerno-based company that has been operating in the floor coverings sector for over 15 years, recently published its new general catalogue presenting its 2020-21 collections. The publication reflects the company’s confidence in the future and its commitment to its customers and sales network. It also presents a wide range of polished, fully lapped, wood-effect and marble-effect floor coverings, in an equally wide range of sizes, from 120x120cm to the more traditional 60x60cm, 80x80cm and 60x120cm. Some of the most significant new developments are the graphic patterns inspired by marquina marble or featuring elegant golden amber, both of which are totally unique materials. In order to overcome the logistical difficulties caused by the pandemic and help meet the needs of all partners, the company is arranging virtual tours of its showroom by video call from a home or office PC. Alternatively, in-person meetings can be arranged by calling 0828 308161 or writing to info@flooritaliaceramiche.it. This will enable customers to benefit from a direct presentation of the new ceramic collections and SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) floating floor-

ing products. The click-lock installation system combined with the product’s unique characteristics (only 5mm thick, installable over existing coverings, ready to use, zero water absorption, zero formaldehyde emission, anti-bacterial, fire-resistant and adhesive-free fitting) are a further endorsement of Floor Italia’s pioneering approach to the sale of the new high-performance SPC.

Progress Profiles celebrates 35th anniversary Innovation, forward vision and a production range made exclusively in Italy: these are the ingredients that have underpinned Progress Profiles’ 35-year success story as a major international manufacturer specializing in technical and decorative profiles and installation systems for floor and wall coverings. In 1982, Lino Bordin came back to Italy from Canada, where he had gained many years’ experience in plastic extrusion and metal processing. On his return, he decided to set up his own company in Asolo, in the Veneto region. He called his start-up born in 1985 Progress Plast, which grew steadily over the years, before updating its image and changing its name to Progress Profiles in 2010. The company opened a new Headquarters in Asolo in 2015, and now has two foreign subsidiaries: one in New Jersey, USA, and another in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In 2019, it reported a 12% increase in Group revenues, to over 55 million euros, with the support of 180 employees and 200 external partners in Italy and abroad. “Our company is constantly evolving and has never stopped innovating,” says Dennis Bordin, President of Progress Profiles. “Even in these uncertain times, the

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professionalism, cohesion and determination of our team have helped us quickly make up for the slowdown we suffered in the early spring. We would love to have celebrated this important milestone differently, but I’m confident that we’ll emerge from this stronger and we’ll soon be able to come together and celebrate everything we’ve achieved.” Every year, the production facility in Asolo produces 30 million linear metres of profiles for export to over 80 countries: from Portugal to Russia, the Middle East to South-East Asia and South America to Canada, Progress Profiles is a by-word for quality, professionalism and reliability, thanks to the special relationship the company has built over the years with its dealers, customers and designers. The export market accounts for no less than 40% of its total revenues. Progress Profiles remains committed to investing in Research & Development aimed at creating state-of-the-art technological solutions with innovative materials and impeccable environmental credentials. The 50-plus patents that the company has filed over the years testify to its hard work and creativity, and endorse its status as one of the Veneto region’s most resolute promoters of Italian manufacturing excellence.

Classical charm with a modern touch

Tile system inspired by classical marbles for contemporary spaces

vitraglobal.com

/VitrABathrooms

NEWS

Patrick Millot named new CEO of Laticrete Laticrete, a US-based multinational and a leading manufacturer of globally proven flooring solutions, appointed Patrick Millot as its new CEO on 10 August. He is the first outside manager to fill the position in the company’s 64 years of family management and takes over from David A. Rothberg, who continues as Chairman of the Board after 42 years in the family business. Millot, who earned an engineering degree from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris and holds master’s degrees in economics and international law, worked for 24 years at Saint-Gobain where he held roles of increasing responsibility: General Manager of the Reinforcement Division, then Vice President of corporate planning, strategy and finance of the High Performance Materials sector and President of the Ceramic division, and most recently serving as CEO of Abrasives and Composites Systems overseeing 12,300 employees from 88 sites in 30 countries. The new CEO will now have the task of further leveraging Laticrete’s success factors, namely globalisation, product innovation and customer centricity. “I am certain that with his enormous ex-

perience, Patrick will be able to exploit Laticrete’s potential and ensure its necessary evolution. Together, we will ensure continuity of our culture and values built up over the years by our family, which will maintain 100% ownership,” commented Rothberg. Millot will be supported by the existing leadership team: Edward Metcalf, Laticrete North America President and COO, and Erno de Bruijn, President and COO of Laticrete International Division.

Ceramiche Caesar opens its first flagship store in Milan In a further initiative aimed at forging closer relations with the world of design and architecture, Ceramiche Caesar recently opened Milano Urban Lab, its first flagship store in Italy’s business capital. The store is located in the new Mo.1950 showroom at 14, Via Molino delle Armi, a multi-purpose site that owes its existence to the entrepreneurial vision of Corrado Molteni, and was designed by

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Matteo Lualdi to provide a premium showcase for top furnishing and design companies. The wide range of floor and wall coverings on display are backed up by the specific know-how that Caesar has built up in over 30 years of materials research and collaborations with designers from all over the world, as evidenced by the original interior design proposals that adorn every surface, including those of the furnishings. Caesar’s flagship store in Milan marks an important milestone along the road the company embarked on when it opened a showroom in London in 2015 and another in Paris in 2016, as part of a circuit of excellence in international design and creativity.

00520 Visual Comunicazione – VE

Erica (Administration Department) Federico (Marketing & Export Office)

T U TO R I A L

S MART I N S TALL ATI O N S C A N O G O TO I M P E R T E K .C O M

BALANCE SUPPORTS AU TO M AT I C A L LY A D J U S T T H E L AY I N G S U R FAC E’ S S LO P E U P TO 5% P E D E S TA L L I N E SELF-LEVELLING SUPPORTS HIGH FROM 10 TO 1020 MM F O R R A I S E D F LO O R S I N T I L E A N D D EC K I N G 10 0 % EC O -S U S T E I N A B L E I TA L I A N P RO D U C T I O N MEET US AT MYPLANT&GARDEN (15-17 FEB 2021) MILANO ITALY

NEWS

Geberit’s first half results hit by Covid-19 In the first half of 2020, the business performance of the Geberit Group, the Swiss sanitaryware and bathroom accessories giant listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, was inevitably impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and negative currency developments. Compared to the first half of 2019, net sales fell by 9.8% to CHF 1,468 million (-4.5% net of negative currency effects totalling CHF 87 million). The results in different markets varied according to the durations of the construction site and showroom shutdowns. In Europe (down 3.3% on 2019 at constant exchange rates) the worst hit countries were the United Kingdom and Ireland (-34.1%), Italy (-25.1%), the Iberian Peninsula (-20.9%) and France (-19.2%). Positive performances were seen in Germany (+2.9%), the Nordic countries (+2.2%), Eastern Europe (+1.4%), Switzerland (+0.5%), Austria (+0.4%) and Benelux (+0.2%). Outside Europe, the biggest falls were in the Middle East/Africa (-25.9%), the Far East/ Pacific (-18.5%) and America (-5.4%). Overall, all three of the Group’s business units reported falls in turnover. Installation & Flushing Systems saw a 4.8% drop in sales (at constant exchange rates) to CHF 556.3 million; Bathroom Systems lost 4.6% to CHF 464 million, while the Piping Systems BU posted a 3.8% decline to CHF 447.8 million. In terms of profitability, operating cashflow (EBITDA) fell by 7.8% to CHF 462 million, operating profit (EBIT) dropped by 10.5% to CHF 386 million and net income declined by 13.9% to CHF 315 million. Rapid implementation of cost containment measures right from the start of the pandemic enabled the group to increase its EBITDA margin to 31.5% of revenues (compared to 30.8% in 2019). Despite the uncertainties of the period, Geberit Group maintained a high level of investment at CHF 55 million (com-

pared to CHF 52 million in the first half of 2019), equivalent to 3.7% of net sales. The bulk of this spending was used for capacity expansion and plant modernisation. R&D expenditure amounted to CHF 38 million (CHF 39 million in the first half of 2019), equal to 2.6% of net sales. It is difficult to make forecasts for the second half of 2020. Barring a second wave of lockdowns, the construction industry appears likely to continue its gradual return to normality during the second half of the year. However, delayed

or interrupted projects, particularly in non-residential construction, and the temporary closure of the showrooms in the second quarter may have a negative impact on demand. Under these assumptions, Geberit expects currency-adjusted net sales in the second half of the year to be slightly below the level of the second half of 2019. Thanks to its strong foundations and very solid balance sheet, the group will continue to pursue its strategic and operative priorities and will maintain its R&D budget.

FERRARI & CIGARINI’S ACADEMY 2020

tem for cutting, drilling, chamfering and glueing tiles in big sizes up to 320x160 cm, both with slim (3-6 mm) and standard (10-20 mm) thickness. This new project has been designed to create kitchen and bathroom tops, benchtops and steps, obtained from tiles in big sizes, both of gres porcelain and marble, granite or agglomerates (okite, silestone,etc.). Participation in the Academy will also be an opportunity to visit the company and the production department as well as to take advantage of Ferrari & Cigarini’s technicians who will be available to answer all your questions. For more information: marketing@ferrariecigarini.com

From November 2nd to 15th the first FERRARI & CIGARINI’s ACADEMY will take place. At the headquarters in Maranello (Modena) in Via A.Ascari 21/23 it will be possible to join free of charge the academy program held by specialized technicians to learn new processes and new manufacturing techniques Ferrari & Cigarini will dedicate a large demonstration area to Compactline automatic machines for cutting and mosaic, skirting boards and steps on porcelain, marble, granite and agglomerates. The machines of the BIGslim range will also be in operation. BIGslim is the new sys-

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floor Provence - Grey 30x60

Tennis star Dominic Thiem becomes brand ambassador for Duravit The tennis player Dominic Thiem recently signed a collaboration agreement with Duravit at the Duravit Design Centre in Hornberg: for the next five years, the world’s number three in the ATP rankings will act as ambassador for the well-known bathroom furnishing

NEWS

Schlüter-Systems opens third facility in USA Schlüter-Systems, a leading manufacturer of innovative systems for the installation of ceramic and natural stone coverings, recently opened a new facility in the heart of the United States, in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. This stateof-the-art site with 50,000m2 of floorspace houses a large warehouse, various offices and a modern training centre. Schlüter-Systems opened this new facility – its third in the United States – in order to improve its service levels in the central and southern US and provide more direct coverage of the local market. “We chose a strategic location,” explains Marco Ludwig, President and CEO of Schlüter-Systems NA. “We already have a site in Plattsburgh, NY and another in Reno, NV, so adding this third facility in

brand. The link between the two parties is strengthened by their shared interest in sustainability, their love of precision and the determination they show in pursuing their performance goals. “I’m really excited about this partnership with Duravit. It’s a company steeped in tradition with a really appealing range of products. It sets itself high standards and pays close attention to detail. These

the region’s nerve-centre will significantly improve our service levels and shorten our shipping times. According to our estimates, we’ll be able to reach the majority of our customers within a maximum of 72 hours, wherever they are in the US.” “In line with our company philosophy,” continues Ludwig, “we opted to make exclusive use of Schlüter-Systems solutions for the construction of this facility, as we have for all our previous facilities. For example, we installed over 2000 square metres of Schlüter-DITRAHEAT-DUO as part of an electric underfloor heating system managed by more than 140 thermostats. This will enable us to run the system mainly on solar energy, which is an increasingly important consideration in the United States. We feel it’s extremely important to provide our warehouse staff, office staff and customers with a comfortable and innovative environment to operate in.”

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qualities are the key to success in tennis too, and Duravit’s commitment to sustainability is another big plus. I think it’s going to be a really exciting partnership for me!” said Dominic Thiem. After Thomas Muster and Jürgen Melzer, Dominic Thiem is the third Austrian to make the top 10 in the world rankings. Furthermore, Thiem, who has been especially successful on clay, was also the first Austrian to win an ATP title on grass, and is currently the world number three. Duravit has a long-standing involvement in tennis. The company sponsored Alexander Popp, another tennis star, in the early 2000s. Backed by two centuries of history (it was founded in 1817), the German multinational now operates in 130 countries worldwide and is one of the leading international bathroom furnishing brands, thanks in part to collaborations with high-profile designers such as Philippe Starck, sieger design, Kurt Merki Jr., Christian Werner, Matteo Thun and Cecilie Manz. Duravit’s role as a worldwide leader is also underscored by its latest results, which showed record sales, operating profit and net earnings in 2019. Consistent profitability and solid financials are the foundations on which the Hornberg-based group now counts to continue the growth trend despite the Covid-19 crisis.

Tile collection: METALYN

METALYN Extravagant tile concept with metallic-looking surface finish. WWW.VILLEROY-BOCH.COM

Misha won the 2020 International Yacht&Aviation Awards

Cevisama rescheduled from 24 to 28 May 2021 The way the Covid-19 pandemic has evolved in recent weeks has led the organisers of Cevisama to postpone the 2021 event by about three and a half months. The show will now be held in Valencia from 24 to 28 May. This was not an easy decision for the largest Spanish exhibition of ceramic tiles, bathroom furnishing and natural stone, but it was backed by almost all exhibitors and trade associations. The new dates will enable the show to be held in a more stable context, facilitating attendance by international visitors and guaranteeing a successful event for exhibitors. Cevisama 2021 will be eagerly awaited as the first major European ceramic industry exhibition after a year in which all trade fairs in Europe and the rest of the world have been cancelled.

NEWS

Misha - a brand offering original decorative coverings born in 2007 from the collaboration of the architect Chiara Enrico and her sister Anna, a passionate connoisseur of the ancient oriental technique of painting and hand embroidery on fabric wallpaper - won the International Yacht&Aviation Awards 2020 for the wallcovering category thanks to the interior design project by Sanlorenzo KD Superyacht. Organized by Design.et.al, the International Yach&Aviation Awards are this

year at the tenth edition: this is an important event worldwide as the only design awards for this industry. The interior designer Tiziana Vercellesi who invited Misha to customize all the interiors with her wall coverings, including common areas and cabins both in the bedrooms and in the bathrooms, developed Sanlorenzo KD Superyacht interior design in 2018. Misha offers its expertise for a personalized and customized result on each environment, using Asia and China Classic collections in the hand-painted versions and with hand-embroidered details.

ADVERTISER’S LIST TILE INTERNATIONAL: ABK................................................................................. 13 Ariana............................................................................61 Ascot.................................................................................1 AVA ................................................................................27 Cerambath...............................................................96 DR Tecnica............................................................... 95 Elios................................................................................57 Ferrari&Cigarini..................................................... 85 Floor Italia Ceramiche......................................23 Fustecma...................................................................91 Impertek..................................................................... 17 Italgraniti.....................................................................33 Kajaria.......................................................................... 63

La Fabbrica.............................................................. 55 Laticrete Europe.................two-sided insert MaterialiCasa.com..............................................89 Montolit....................................................................... 87 NG Kutahya....................................................... 10-11 Piemme......................................................................... 7 Progress Profiles............ inside Front Cover Profilpas.................................inside Back Cover Raimondi....................................................................... 4 RAK Ceramics........................................................... 9 Rako................................................................................. 5 Rondine.......................................................................19 Seramiksan.............................................................2-3 Schlüter-Systems.......................................Cover TecnaNext................................................................ 94 Top Cer.........................................................................73 Villeroy & Boch Fliesen.................................... 21 VitrA................................................................................ 15

Surfaces INTL (Upsidedown!): Dural................................................................................11 Eco Design ...............................................................19 Original Parquet.................................................4/5 Pietre D’Arredo..........................................................1

Search Tile Edizioni and MaterialiCasa

THE WORLD’S TOP CERAMIC TILE MANUFACTURERS Luca Baraldi • MECS • www.mec-studies.com

ECONOMICS

MAIN TILE BRANDS / COMPANIES

23 in USA, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, Spain, Poland, Bulgaria, Russia

American Olean, Dal Tile, KAI, Kerama Marazzi, Marazzi, Ragno, Emilgroup, Eliane

166.0

211.0

13%

669.0

21 in Thailand, 7 in Vietnam, 3 in Indonesia, 1

in the Philippines

COTTO, Sosuco, Campana, Prime, Mariwasa, Kia, Trend, Impresso

848.6

9 in Mexico, 2 in Argentina, 1 in Colombia, 3 in Peru

Lamosa, Porcelanite, Firenze, San Lorenzo, Cordillera, Scop, Princesa, Mallorca, Lamosa USA

818.0

(tiles + sanitaryware)

GRUPO LAMOSA MEXICO

166.0

195.0

38%

647.0

RAK CERAMICS PJSC

101.5

138.0

62%

472.0

635.0 (tiles, sanitary, tableware)

14 in UAE, 9 in Bangladesh, China, India

RAK Ceramics, Elegance

UAE

(tiles, adhesives)

P= PRODUCTION E = EXPORTS D = DOMESTIC

TILE PLANTS LOCATION

n.a.

$ 9,970.7 mill. (ceramics, carpet, laminate, wood, stone, LVT)

FORECASTS 2020

TOTAL TURNOVER (mill. €)

SCG CERAMICS THAILAND

250.9

$ 3,631 mill.

250

(est. on official company data)

itaryware, tableware, heavy clay) and the supply chain (raw materials, adhesives, distribution), as well as in other sectors (bathroom and kitchen furnishings, non-ceramic surface coverings, building materials, chemicals, etc.), we indicate both turnover generated

TURNOVER ONLY TILE SEGMENT (mill. €)

capacity, real production, export share and number and locations of facilities (in the tile segment), we also report revenue where available. As these players are large groups that in many cases operate across multiple segments of the ceramic industry (tiles, san-

EXPORT SHARE

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC. USA

INSTALLED CAPACITY

PRODUCTION (mill. sq.m)

GROUP / COMPANY COUNTRY

In addition to global tile production and consumption figures, Tile International is also publishing key data on the sector’s leading groups and companies, ranked by output volumes and updated to 31/12/2019. Along with data for installed

P= E= D=

GRUPO CEDASA/ INCOPISOS BRAZIL

88.2 (2018)

149.2 (2018)

n.a.

3 in Brazil

Majopar, Cedasa, Vistabella, Lorenzza, Incopisos, Vivences, Bellacer

CERAMICA CARMELO FIOR BRAZIL

81.0

84.0

32%

153.0

4 in Brazil

Cecafi, Pisoforte, Fioranno, Idealle, Arielle

P E D

80.0

82.0

68%

512.0

704.0

6 in Spain

Pamesa Ceramica, TAU Ceramica, Geotiles, Prissmacer, Ecoceramic, Navarti

P E D

78.1

81.0

353.0

(tiles, sanitaryware)

10 in India

Kajaria

SPAIN

73.1

76.0

78%

325.0

2 in Spain

STN, Alaplana, Keratile, Tesany, Vitacer

P= E D

GRUPO FRAGNANI BRAZIL

69.3

74.0

166.5

3 in Brazil

Incefra, Incenor, Tecnogres, In Out

P E D

DYNASTY CERAMIC THAILAND

62.4

82.0

232.0

240.0

3 in Thailand

Dynasty, Tile Top, Jaguar, RCI, Chicken, Birdy, Swan

P E D=

PAMESA SPAIN KAJARIA CERAMICS INDIA

STN GROUP

377.0

24 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

solely in the ceramic tile segment and consolidated group revenue. The figures were provided directly by the companies themselves or obtained from public sources, and in some cases are based on estimates. Given the exceptional nature of 2020, a year in which the corona-

virus pandemic has had a major impact on the global ceramic industry, we asked companies to also provide their forecasts for the 2020 year-end results in terms of production, exports and domestic sales. As always, the rankings are not exhaustive and lack several

groups which do not release their financial information. These include the largest Italian producer, Concorde Group, which would rank amongst the top three global players in terms of turnover, the largest Egyptian producer Cleopatra, and several Chinese groups. Chiara Bruzzichelli c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

TURNOVER ONLY TILE SEGMENT (mill. €)

TOTAL TURNOVER (mill. €)

TILE PLANTS LOCATION

MAIN TILE BRANDS / COMPANIES

60.2

65.4

134.0

5 in Indonesia

Arwana, UNO

56.6

62.0

196.0

220.0

9 in India

Somany

SOMANY CERAMICS INDIA

LASSELSBERGER GROUP AUSTRIA

50.5

52.5

n.a.

5 in Czech Rep., 2 in Hungary, 1 in Romania, 1 in Russia

Rako, Cesarom, LB-Ceramics, Zalakeramia

KALE GROUP TURKEY

50.0 *

62.0

n.a.

20 in Turkey

Canakkale Seramik, Kalebodur, Edilcuoghi, Edilgres, Campani, IDA

VITROMEX MEXICO

45-50 *

54.0

n.a.

163.0

4 in Mexico

Vitromex, Construpiso, Arko

42.4

53.0

170.0

10 in India

Somany

SOMANY CERAMICS INDIA

190.0

(tiles, sanitaryware)

25 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

P= PRODUCTION E = EXPORTS D = DOMESTIC

EXPORT SHARE

ARWANA CITRAMULIA INDONESIA

FORECASTS 2020

INSTALLED CAPACITY

PRODUCTION (mill. sq.m)

revenues of $3.631 billion, up 2.2% on 2018 (36% of the group’s consolidated revenues). With the greatest impact of the health emergency occurring in the second quarter of 2020 (sales dropped by 21% on Q2 2019), the Global Ceramics division closed the first half of 2020

GROUP / COMPANY COUNTRY

Mohawk Industries, Inc. remains firmly at the top of the rankings of the largest 25 world groups with a capacity and output to 31/12/2019 of around 250 million sqm (up from 2018 due to the expansion of production in Russia and the acquisition of Eliane) and tile segment

P E D

P E D

P E D

with revenues of $1,602 million (-13.7% on 2019), a contraction that is consistent with the 14% decline in the group’s consolidated revenue ($4.3 billion).

page 60). In general, the remaining groups in the rankings reveal substantial stability in terms of their production volumes, with the exception of Kajaria Ceramics (which increased its output from 66 to 78 million sqm) and the Spanish group STN (up from 65 to 73 million sqm). STN also posted the largest increase in turnover, up 19% on 2019 to 325 million euros. The new ranking also sees a new entry among the big names in the tile industry, namely the UK-based flooring group Victoria PLC. Between November 2017 and March 2020, Victoria acquired the Spanish firms Keraben, Saloni and Ibero and the Italian companies Ceramiche Serra and Ceramiche Ascot (the latter as of 1 March 2020). Overall, the group has a production capacity of 44.5 million sqm, a 2019 production of 40 million sqm and a turnover of 350 million euros.

CELIMA (Trebol Group) PERU'

42.0 *

VICTORIA CERAMIC DIVISION

MAIN TILE BRANDS / COMPANIES

n.a.

5 in Brazil

Elizabeth

54.0

n.a.

3 in Peru

Celima, San Martin

40.0

44.5

65%

350.0

4 in Spain, 3 in Italy

Keraben, Saloni, IberoCasainfinita, Serra, Ascot, Dom

P E D

3 in Mexico, 1 in USA

Interceramic

P E= D

P= PRODUCTION E = EXPORTS D = DOMESTIC

n.a.

FORECASTS 2020

56.0 *

TILE PLANTS LOCATION

TOTAL TURNOVER (mill. €)

43.1 *

TURNOVER ONLY TILE SEGMENT (mill. €)

ELIZABETH BRAZIL

EXPORT SHARE

PRODUCTION (mill. sq.m)

Based on the forecasts provided by the groups themselves, the outlook for 2020 as a whole does not appear to be overly pessimistic. In almost all the negative forecasts the potential decline in production and sales is limited to between -1% and -10%, while several players are even anticipating growth (Pamesa, STN, Cersanit and Arwana).

INSTALLED CAPACITY

GROUP / COMPANY COUNTRY

ECONOMICS

In second place is the Thai group SCG Ceramics with a 2019 production of 166 million sqm and tile sales of 669 million euros, slightly down on the previous year. In the first half of 2020, the effects of the lockdown and lower demand for tiles resulted in an 18% decline in sales volumes for SCG Ceramics (from 92 million sqm in 2019 to 75 million sqm). Next comes the Mexican group Lamosa, also with a 2019 production of 166 million sqm and tile revenues of 647 million euros (76% of the group’s consolidated revenue, which also includes adhesives). Lamosa’s tile division also reported a 22% fall in the second quarter of 2020 compared with 2019, resulting in a first half decline in revenues of 13% year on year to about 224 million euros (5,810 million pesos). The world’ s fourth largest tile producer is RAK Ceramics, which has increased its production capacity to 138 million sqm and production to more than 101 million sqm, partly due to the start-up of the large slab factory in Morbi (India). Despite the fall in revenues in the first half of the year, the UAE-based group expects to close 2020 at the same levels as 2019 (see article on

INTERCERAMIC MEXICO

40.0

50.0

26%

347.0

485.0 (tiles, sanitaryware, others)

PORTOBELLO (PGB) BRAZIL

40.0 *

46.0

16%

246.0

2 in Brazil

Portobello, Pointer

H&R JOHNSON INDIA

39.9

70.2

169.0

222.6

12 in India

Johnson, Marbonite, Endura, Porselano

P= E= D=

CERAMIC INDUSTRIES SOUTH AFRICA

39.0

49.0

17%

n.a.

5 in South Africa, 1 in Australia

Gryphon, Pegasus, Samca, Vitro, NCI

P E D

CORONA COLOMBIA

35.0

42.0

14%

149.0

466.5 (tiles, sanitaryware)

5 in Colombia

Corona, Orchid

P E D

26 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

METAL

An essential and pure soul for an original and contemporary style

La Fabbrica S.p.A. - Via Emilia Ponente, 925 - 48014 Castel Bolognese (RA) - Italy Tel. +39 0546 - 659911 - Fax +39 0546 - 656223 - info@lafabbrica.it www.avaceramica.it - www.lafabbrica.it

A company part of

WORLDWIDE TILE PRODUCTION AND EXPORTS . 2019 PRODUCTION FALLS TO 12 .7 BILLION SQUARE METRES . 8.5% DOWNTURN FORECAST FOR 2020 Paola Giacomini

World tile production down 3.7% in 2019 to 12.7 billion square metres. Demand down too, by 4%,

to 12.4 billion square metres, whereas import-export flows up by just 31 million square metres to

This is the snapshot provided by the 8th edition of “World Production and Consumption of Ceramic Tiles” by ACIMAC/MECS, which gives us a yearly update on industry and market performance, consumption per head and export flows in about 80 individual countries and the world as a whole.

2,837 million. While the picture for 2019 confirms the continuation of the negative

square metres (nearly twice as much as three years ago in view of the 31% increase in 2019) became the third largest tile-exporting country, after China and Spain, as Indian tiles are more and more often the preferred alternative to Chinese tiles, and not only in the USA.

ECONOMICS

THE FORECAST FOR 2020 World tile production in 2019 was down by half a billion square metres compared with the previous year; and down by a full billion in the two-year period 20182019. Once again, the drop is attributable to China, the world’s largest producer, where production fell by 11% in 2018 and by a further 8.7% in 2019, to 5.2 billion square metres. The parallel increase in production in India (up 10.6% to 1,266 million square metres) and Brazil (up 4% to 909 million square metres) was not enough to compensate for such a large loss. The only continents or subcontinents that reported growth in 2019 were Latin America (+2.2%) and Africa (+5.7%), while production in the rest of the world fell by 5% in Asia; 2.8% in the European Union; 7.8% in non-EU Europe; and 4.9% in North America.

The picture for 2020 will obviously be different. No country has escaped the pandemic’s impact on their production systems, although many are still struggling to estimate its true scale. Despite this, the ACIMAC/MECS survey of the main tile-manufacturing countries suggests (barring new lockdowns) that, world tile production may shrink by around 8.5%, to approximately 11,600 million square metres. This is a more modest fall than was forecast in May, thanks to strong recovery in activity from June by the majority of players. Although China reported a 5.8% fall in output in the first half of 2020 compared with the first half of 2019, the country expects to keep its fall in output for the whole year below 10%. China also has about a hundred new lines for the production of large-format tiles and panels due to come on-stream in the foreseeable future. The outlook is even brighter in Turkey, which reported good export performance in the first 6 months of the year and is now expecting to achieve the same production volumes this year as it did in 2019. The other major tile-manufacturing countries, including Brazil, Vietnam, Spain and Mexico, are less optimistic, and expect to close 2020 with falls in na-

As for international trade in tiles, the picture looks less bleak. However, import-export flows rose by only 31 million square metres (1%) in 2019 to 2,837 million, equating to 22.9% of total consumption. The result is the balance between the fall in Chinese exports (down 75 million square metres) and the rise in almost all the other major exporting countries, first and foremost India (up 86 million square metres): Chinese exports decreased for the sixth year running, from 854 to 779 million square metres (-8.8%), while India, with exports of 360 million

tional output of between 10% and 20%.

Sources:

Full article and tables here: https://issuu.com/tiledizioni/docs/cwr_138/42

28 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

trend that began in 2018, forecasts for 2020 are predicting a further fall of 8.5% in global production.

And the performance of the mighty China will still impact on the whole outlook. ON THE PODIUM IN 2019

PRODUCTION

CONSUMPTION

1°

5,2 mld mq

CHINA



↓ - 8,7%

1°

4,4 mld mq

CHINA



-8,6%

2°

1,3 mld mq

INDIA



+10,6

2°

0,8 mld mq

BRAZIL



+3,5%

3°

0,9 mld mq

BRAZIL



+4,2%

3°

0,8 mld mq

INDIA



+4%

EXPORT

IMPORT

1°

779 mil. mq

CHINA



↓ - 8,8%

1°

204 mil. mq

USA



- 2,4%

2°

415 mil. mq

SPAIN



+0,2%

2°

138 mil. mq

IRAQ



+11,3%

3°

360 mil. mq

INDIA



+31,4%

3°

126 mil. mq

SAUDI ARABIA



+8,6%

Chiara Bruzzichelli c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

LARGEST TILE PRODUCER

323

401

mil. mq

mil . mq

LARGEST EXPORTER BY VOLUME

F O C U S O N I T A LY 1

LARGEST EXPORTER BY VALUE * 16%more than China with just 41% of the volume

14 € /m q*

4,509 mil . € *

EXPORTING COUNTRY BY AVERAGE PRICE * more than double the second-ranked country, Spain

WORLDWIDE INDUSTRY & MARKET PRODUCTION 2019

ESTIMATED PRODUCTION IN 2020

CONSUMPTION 2019

IMPORT/EXPORT 2019

-3.7%

-8.5%

-4.0%

+1.0%

12,673 MILL. SQ.M

11,600 MILL. SQ.M

12,375 MILL. SQ.M

2,837 MILL. SQ.M

29 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

FEP: THE EUROPEAN WOOD FLOORING MARKET IN 2019 Courtesy of: I Love Parquet n. 40/2020

Against a backdrop of positive results for last year, 2020 got off to a good start until Covid-19 put a spanner in the works. Southern Europe is already paying

the price for the forced stoppage, so the Federation is calling for a decisive recovery plan from the EU. As it does every year, the European Federation of Parquet Manufacturers

(FEP) met in mid-June to take stock of the industry’s performance and issue its report on Europe’s wood flooring market. Because of Coronavirus, this year’s meeting was obviously virtual:

In total, consumption of wood flooring in the FEP area reached 81,766,700 m² last year, as against Following a slight contraction in 2018, total consump- 80,827,900 m² the previous year. tion of wood flooring in Europe increased in 2019. The improvement reported by the Federation is mainThe consolidated data provided by the FEP show an ly attributable to an increase in wood flooring conincrease of 1.2% in the European market as a whole sumption in Germany, Poland, France and Italy. (the ‘revised’ figures for 2018 now point to a market On a by-country basis, Germany has extended its contraction of less than 1% compared to 2017). lead, with a share of 21.08% of total consumption of wood flooring. France takes second place, TAB. 1 - PARQUET PRODUCTION IN EUROPE - 1999/2019 with 10.60%, and ItaNon-FEP FEP Countries TOTAL countries** ly is third, with 10.57%, closely followed by 000 sq.m + /-% 000 m2 000 sq.m + /-% Sweden in fourth place 1999 64,774 11.09% 64,774 with 10.07%. 2000 69,812 7.78% 69,812 Austria hangs on to 2001 75,621 8.32% 75,621 fifth place, with 8.04%, followed by the ‘Nordic 2002 76,741 1.48% 76,741 Cluster’ (7.21%), Swit2003 81,039 5.60% 81,039 zerland (7.02%) and 2004 91,453 12.85% 91,453 Spain (7.02%). 2005 93,977 2.76% 93,977 As for wood flooring 2006 95,911 2.06% 95,911 consumption per head of population, Sweden 2007 98,334 2.53% 98,334 holds onto top spot 2008 82,724 -15.87% 82,724 (0.80 m²), ahead of 2009 65,522 -20.79% 65,522 Austria (0.74 m²), Esto2010 68,500 4.54% 68,500 nia (0.73 m²) and Swit2011 68,500 1.65% 69,630 zerland (0.67 m²). In the FEP area as a 2012 66,266 -4.83% 7.000 73,266 whole, consumption 2013 65,027 -1.87% 10.000 75,027 2.40% per person remained 2014 64,407 -2.53% 13.500 77,907 2.41% stable in 2019 at 0.19 2015 65,842 2.23% 14.600 80,442 3.25% m².

ECONOMICS

PRE-COVID PERFORMANCE

2016 (*)

72,458

10.05%

14.500

86,958

8.10%

2017

76,368

5.40%

14.500

90,868

4.50%

2018

76,759

0.51%

14.800

90,559

0.76%

2019

78,003

1.62%

14.200

92,203

0.70%

(* ) As of 2016, figures are covering al/ European FEP countries - data far Croatia, Estonia, Portugal & Slovenia have been added - (**) Best estimates according to information received from FEP affiliates

3 0T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

PRODUCTION Production in the FEP area grew by 1.6% in 2019 and passed the milestone of 78 mil-

the traditional conference at which top names from the wood flooring world and manufacturers from all over Europe (under the aegis of their evergreen President Lars Gunnar

Andersen) come together to discuss the market, was cancelled. So no gala dinner, no technical and market insights and no pressing the flesh. The decision was unavoidable,

but fortunately it did not prevent the secretariat from releasing its report setting out the overall and country-by-country statistics for 2019, for the benefit of members and the press.

Chiara Bruzzichelli c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

TAB. 2 - PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION

lion square metres. It is worth reminding readers at this point that, since 2007, production and consumption data for Italy have been revised according to the new method used by FederlegnoArredo, the Italian wood furnishings federation. In terms of absolute production by country, Poland retains its position as the leading national producer, with a share of 16.86%. Sweden takes second place, with 14.50%, followed by Austria in third on 12.45% and Germany in fourth on 11.25%. European production outside the FEP countries is estimated to be 14.2 million square metres, comprising 8.7 million square metres produced in EU countries and 5.5 million square metres produced in non-EU countries. By type of wood flooring, multi-layer still accounts for the highest share of production, with 83% of the total (compared to 82% in 2018), fol-

lowed by solid wood flooring (including lamparquet) on 16% (compared to 17% in 2018) and mosaic on 1%. By species of wood, the share taken by oak remains stable and predominant, accounting for 80.6% of the total in 2019 (as against 80.3% in 2018). Tropical species account for 3.4% of the timber used for wood flooring. Ash and beech are the other two most widely used species, with 7.2% and 2% of the total respectively (compared with 6.8% and 2.1% in 2018). A LOOK AT 2020 AND 2021 Sadly, the upturn of 2019 (and the good start to 2020) has been de-railed by the Covid-19 pandemic. As we know, Italy, Spain, France and Belgium suffered full lockdowns for several weeks. The non-German speaking parts of Switzerland and

31 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT 2019/2018

CONSUMPTION DEVELOPMENT 2019/2019

1.0%

12.5%

-1.0%

4.6%

-1.0%

3.1%

2.0%

1.2%

3.0%

-22.0%

10.0%

0.9%

1.5%

3.2%

2.5%

-2.1%

5.0%

-6.0%

-6.1%

8.2%

2.0%

14.7%

-1.0%

0.4%

5.0%

4.5%

11.9%

16.9%

3.0%

2.6%

-2.9%

DK/FIN/NO

-8.9%

-5.5%

-1.4%

-1.0%

5.0%

3.6%

FEP

1.6%

1.2%

FIG. 1 - PRODUCTION 2002-2019 PRODUCTION & CONSUMPTION (X000 SQ.M) NON-FEP EUROPEAN COUNTRIES PRODUCTION FEP COUNTRIES PRODUCTION FEP COUNTRIES CONSUMPTION

CALLS FOR EU SUPPORT The FEP is calling for a decisive recovery plan from the EU, in line with the principles of the Green deal and the new circular economy action plan: the so-called ‘Renovation Wave’ should be one of the main drivers of recovery. According to the Federation, the current crisis provides the EU with an opportunity to translate its growing recognition of the positive role played by wood products into practical support policies for our industry. ✕

TAB. 3 - CONSUMPTION PER CAPITA 2019 m2

0,14

0,05

0,14

0,1

0,12

0,07

0,14

0,54

DK/FIN/NO

0,35

0,8

0,14

FEP

0,19

FIG. 9 - USE OF WOOD SPECIES

32 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

OTHER

TROPICAL WOOD

0,13

EUCALYPTUS

0,12

PINE TREE

0,73

ACACIA

CHERRY TREE

0,21

WOT

CHESTNUT

0,1

CANADIAN MAPLE

0,67

EUROPEAN MAPLE

0,19

BIRCH

ASH

0,74

BEECH

RED OAK

PAESE

OAK

ECONOMICS

Austria also suffered this kind of setback. So southern Europe, which has introduced tighter restrictions, is already reporting a significant fall in wood flooring consumption. Business never really stopped in Germany, however, and drastic lockdown measures were also avoided in Scandinavia. Although the situation is improving slowly overall and proportionately faster in countries less affected by lockdown measures, the FEP does not forecast a return to pre-Covid sales levels in the short or medium term. Uncertainty also remains as to a potential second wave, whether now or in the autumn.

Eterno Ivica for Mediterraneo Camping Village and a complex of three multi-service buildings, aimed at enhancing and expanding the offer of the structure inaugurated with the reopening of the 2020 summer season. And it is right here, in the external Spa area, that Eterno Ivica has given its contribution for 1100 sqm with numerous Pedestal supports that have been able to cover heights up to 1,20 meters. In particular, were used the Eterno SE range, with the tilting head able to compensate up to 5% of slope, the New Maxi NM range with fixed

FOTONEWS

For over 50 years the village has offered its customers stays in complete relax, nature and fun in the shade of the fresh and lush pine forest in which it is immersed. But this year the camping has reached an important milestone: it has acquired the much sought-after fifth star thus raising its quality standards to offer an even more special holiday. This important recognition comes together with the creation of Le Terrazze del Mediterraneo: a seafront area consisting of a 2000sqm water park

34 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

head and with a breaking load above the market average and also many Start.T supports, the thinnest of the Pedestal line. Furthermore, for the first time, the new criss-cross head for joists, one of the latest innovations launched in recent months by Eterno Ivica, was installed on a portion of the flooring. This new type of head for supports allows to place one to four aluminium joists on the same head, thus making the laying of multi-format plates even easier and more versatile.

35 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

Milena Bernardi

R AK CER AMICS CONFIDENT OF A P OST-PANDEMIC RECOVERY Unlike other businesses, RAK Ceramics’ first-half 2020 results were only partially affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The UAE-based ceramic giant, which has more than 20 plants spread across the UAE, India and Bangladesh where it produces tiles,

sanitaryware and tableware, saw the parent company’s sales remain substantially stable in the first quarter of the year. But since the end of March it has had to cope with the closure of production plants and the prolonged lockdown imposed by local

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Tile International: How did you tackle the emergen-

governments in India and Bangladesh, as well as the closure of the borders between countries in the GCC area. “It would be an understatement to say that the first half of 2020 has been a challenging environment,” admits RAK Ceramics’ CEO Abdallah

emerge as a stronger organisation. Despite these challenges we remain cautiously optimistic and are working hard to not only protect but strengthen our business. As we move towards the end of the year, we remain focused on running an efficient and profitable business, protecting our growth in the UAE, India, and Bangladesh and progressing our growth plans in Saudi Arabia. We will also look to diversify and improve profitability in key export markets. We are focused on implementing measures to limit the impact of Covid-19 on our tableware business, which is heavily dependent upon the airline and hospitality industries. However, the demand for tableware and building materials is gradually increasing and a full recovery will without a doubt happen when the pandemic ends. Meanwhile we are doing everything to take all necessary actions internally. Tile International: In the first half of the year you reported excellent results in Sau-

cy and what are your expectations now that the worst seems to be over? Abdallah Massaad: We have been proactive in implementing a wide range of measures designed to mitigate the impact of Covid-19, including production optimisation. At the end of March 2020, we completely shut down production in India and Bangladesh in line with the government’s guidelines. In the UAE, we significantly reduced our production to meet demand, but were able to avoid a complete shutdown. From July, UAE production began running at an optimal capacity due to an increase in demand of tiles and sanitaryware, especially from Saudi Arabia and other markets.Although we expect this situation to impact our performance in the next few months, we are confident that our strong foundations and sound business model will enable us to face this unprecedented challenge and

36 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

Massaad. “Our second quarter performance, especially in May, was significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic in strategic markets such as India, Bangladesh and the Gulf region. Despite this, I am pleased to say that we delivered satisfactory

results in the first half of the year and have begun to see signs of recovery as borders reopen and economies restart.” Despite the severe impact of the pandemic, the group has shown great resilience and has come through the

di Arabia. What is the situation now? A. Massaad: In the first quarter of 2020, our Saudi Arabian entities demonstrated a strong performance compared to the previous year, with total revenue increasing by 70.6% to AED 91.5 million (around US $25 million). This was driven by an increase in tiles sales of 80.8% to AED 86 million. We were obviously affected by the closure of Saudi Arabia’s borders due to Covid-19, as a result of which second quarter revenue in Saudi Arabia fell slightly on 2019 (-2.2%). This was mainly due to lower sanitaryware sales (-12.1%), whereas tile sales remained stable. Following the difficulties in April and especially May, we responded with a positive post-lockdown recovery in June, thanks to a significant increase in orders and our decision to switch deliveries to truck despite incurring higher freight costs. We have positioned ourselves as a premium product supplier in Saudi Arabia with many differentiated

most difficult period while expecting to see a stronger recovery over the coming months. We spoke to Abdallah Massaad and Leonardo De Muro, VP International Business Development & Marketing.

products compared to local manufacturers. Last year Chiara Bruzzichelli we opened two new showrooms in Riyadhc.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it and we are progressing plans to open additional showrooms in Jeddah. Our operations in Saudi Arabia have followed the UAE business model, which is proving to be very effective. The imposition of anti-dumping duty on tiles imported from China and India to the GCC has also increased demand for our products and we are well-positioned to take advantage of this opportunity and meet the market demand. We remain optimistic for long-term growth in Saudi Arabia beyond the Covid-19 economic recovery, and growth in the Kingdom is likely to offset any slowdown elsewhere in the region. Tile International: In which other markets are you seeing a recovery in demand? A. Massaad: In Europe, following the easing of lockdown measures in June, sales are improving from one month to the next. Italy, UK and Germany kept the nor-

RAK CERAMICS’ 2019 RESULTS RAK Ceramics closed the 2019 financial year with total revenues of AED 2.57 billion (approx. US $700 million), down 5.6% on 2018 (or -2.8% on a constant currency basis). This figure is seen as being “in line with market expectations” and is a result of the planned transition to lower volumes and higher profitability for tiles, counterbalanced by growth in the sanitaryware BU (+4%) and the tableware BU (+2.2%). The group reported excellent results in terms of profitability, with an increase in gross profit margin to 33.2% and 8.9% growth in EBITDA. This was a result of the group’s continued focus on product differentiation, product optimisation and improved operational efficiencies by leveraging automation and process enhancements. RAK Ceramics has an annual capacity of 138 million sqm of tiles, 5 million pieces of sanitaryware and 24 million pieces of tableware in more than 20 plants in the UAE, India and Bangladesh. Abdallah Massaad

37 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

mal trend despite the markets were directly with users on design issues. We remain focused on running an severely impacted. In Italy we have just launched a new efficient and profitable business, Following the end of the lockdown, protecting our growth in the UAE, e-commerce portal and are developwe implemented a phased ap- India, and Bangladesh and pro- ing new product presentation tools to proach to reopening operations in gressing our growth plans in Saudi support our sales network through reBangladesh, where we have seen an Arabia. We will also look to diver- mote meetings. increase in sales. Credit for all of this goes to our marsify and improve profitability in key In other markets, we have been pur- export markets. We are focused on keting department, which has once suing a development project in re- implementing measures to limit the again demonstrated its ability to recent months to exploit available po- impact of Covid-19 on our tablewa- spond with great professionalism. re business. tential and opportunities. I should add that we are the first comTile International: What about Inpany in the world to have adopted a dia, where you are one of the leading remote product development system sanitaryware manufacturers and where you started up that allows us to carry through projects for new collecyour third slab production plant last year? tions in collaboration with partners and suppliers all A. Massaad: Here too, government-imposed lock- over the world, overcoming difficulties caused by travdowns had a significant impact, but we are pleased to el restrictions. see that the market is showing signs of recovery. Tile International: Before the pandemic, RAK CeOur operations across India began reopening from the ramics was investing in an expansion of its international start of June. Production in our Samalkot plant is cur- presence by opening new showrooms in various counrently running at approximately 50% capacity to meet tries. Are you maintaining the timing of these openings? reduced demand. Our first plant in Morbi is operating L. De Muro: After opening the showroom in Riyadh at 100% capacity, as is the second plant producing our and planning an upcoming opening in Jeddah, we conMaximus Mega Slab tiles following its opening in July. tinued with our plan to renovate all the showrooms in In addition to this, our trading and manufacturing busi- the UAE and some of the locations will soon be comness in India has improved to near pre-Covid levels. pleted. As for Europe, we will have some news to anTile International: Right from the onset of the crisis, nounce shortly. you reacted swiftly by deploying alternative marketing Tile International: In 2019 the European market actools and sales channels to support your customers. counted for 16.5% of your total turnover. What kind of Can you tell us about these new tools? presence do you have in the region? Leonardo De Muro: First, I must stress just how impor- L. De Muro: Europe has always been a strategic martant close relationships are for this sector. I simply can- ket for RAK Ceramics. While the market is obviously not imagine a socially distant future for our business. dominated by Italian and Spanish players, we have a Relationships with agents, distributors, dealers, devel- strong and well-established presence in both the tile opers and designers all over the world are based on and sanitaryware sectors. We have three separate but face-to-face meetings. It’s in the nature of the product coordinated hubs serving the entire continent: in Italy that we need in-person events such as trade fairs and for Southern and Eastern Europe, in Germany for Cenmeetings where potential buyers can actually touch tral and Northern Europe and in the UK for the British the surfaces and finishes and get a direct, physical idea market. of the quality of a new product. Having said this, the ex- Tile International: Product innovation is another key perience has irreversibly changed the way we do busi- aspect for supporting growth and consolidating your ness. For this reason, we immediately devoted all our brand’s reputation. What are you working on at the energies to organising initiatives such as the “show- moment? room virtual tour” (we had already launched virtual re- L. De Muro: We had been planning a series of major ality tools at ISH 2018), as well as expanding our ac- product innovations in 2020 and at Cersaie 2019 had tions through our social media profiles, including pres- already presented a number of new products. These entations of new products via webinars and engaging included large slabs with new sizes and finishes, the

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High Performances line of technical porcelain stoneware products and, above all, the translucent Luce slab, a completely new and exclusive product. Not to mention the bathroom furniture segment, where collaborations with international designers have led to the creation of smart sanitaryware collections with unique functions. But the really big innovation came during the lockdown when we launched RAK-Sanit, a new range of antibacterial solu-

New products are large slabs with new sizes and finishes, the High

Performances

line

technical

porcelain stoneware products and, above all, the translucent Luce

slab, a completely new and exclusive product. Not to mention the ba-

throom furniture segment, where collaborations with international designers have led to the creation of smart sanitaryware collections.

39 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

tions for floors, walls and sanitaryware. RAK-Sanit is made with a special antibacterial glaze certified to ISO and JPN international standards which is applied during the production process and is 99.9% effective against the proliferation of bacteria. Tests carried out in light and darkness show that the product is activated in just 8 hours, a complete innovation for the sector and another record for RAK Ceramics. â&#x153;&#x2022;

Paola Giacomini

MAJOR BO OST FOR ASCOT AND D OM market. It was the fifth tile producer to be acquired by the UK-based group in just over two years and the second in Italy. The first, Ceramiche Serra, was acquired in November 2017 followed

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

On 1 March this year, Ceramiche Ascot (Castelvetro, Modena - Italy) became part of the Victoria PLC group, the flooring multinational listed on the London Stock Exchangeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AIM

40 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

by the Spanish companies Keraben, Saloni and Ibero. This latest Italian acquisition brings the proforma annual turnover of Victoria PLCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ceramics division to

around 350 million euros and its total production capacity to approximately 45 million sqm/year. As for the Italian Business Unit, Victoria PLC Italy, the acquisition of

Ascot has not only boosted efforts to strengthen and reposition the Ascot and Dom brands, but will probably be followed by further operations given Victoria’s potential and willingness to

invest. We spoke to Andrea Bordignon, CEO of Ascot Group and Ceramiche Serra, and Simone Gentili, General and Sales Manager.

Chiara Bruzzichelli

Tile International: Mr Bordignon, what is the current

question the strongest Italian company in c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it Eastern Europe, including the Balkans, Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Hungary. It can boast longstanding customer relationships and ensures an outstanding level of service. It will now also be able to offer higher value products such as the new porcelain tile range, which is seeing sharp growth. To give you an idea of Serra’s potential, the company has maintained 30% year-on-year growth through 2020 despite the pandemic, and its 10 million sqm/year capacity continues to be insufficient to meet demand. Tile International: Ascot and Dom operate in very different product segments. Simone Gentili: Yes, that’s true, and it’s largely due to the hard work we have been doing in recent months to give the two brands a precise and clearly differentiated identity. Today Ascot is our generic brand name for tradition combined with innovation and offers a complete

state of the Victoria Italia division? Andrea Bordignon: The acquisition of Ceramiche Ascot follows a collaboration contract signed in the summer of 2019 and is of strategic value for Victoria for two reasons. Firstly, it allows us to increase production capacity in Italy, which is still insufficient despite the startup of a new line at Ceramiche Serra in 2018. Secondly, we will acquire two brands and a product range that are complementary to those of Ceramiche Serra in terms of positioning and market presence. In recent years, Serra has seen strong, continuous growth thanks to its exceptional production efficiency and precise market positioning. It is our key brand for the large European and North American distribution chains and remains one of the few players in the spray-dried red body segment, where it enjoys a leadership position with premium priced products. In this market segment it is without

WHO ARE VICTORIA PLC? Victoria PLC has industrial and commercial operations ranging from ceramic and porcelain tiles to carpet, LVT and underlay. It has 20 manufacturing sites in the UK, Europe and Australia and employs approximately 2,600 people. Its rapid expansion in the ceramic sector is part of an organic growth strategy aimed at diversifying and internationalising its operations with a view to becoming a multinational flooring group.

Simone Gentili

41 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

range of products for both residenhave you set yourselves? In recent years, Serra has seen tial and commercial applications. Simone Gentili: Our performance in strong, continuous growth thanks This characteristic is underscored by these first few months is largely a reto its exceptional production effithe new Everytile payoff, which result of the excellent customer relaciency and precise market positiofers to a range of indoor and outdoor tions we have built up over the years. ning. To give you an idea of Serra’s floor tiles for residential applications potential, the company has main- The Ascot brand has always enjoyed available in the two thicknesses 10 tained 30% year-on-year growth a strong position in Italy, France, Benmm and 20 mm coordinated with Bi- through 2020 despite the pandemic, elux and North America, and this year Tech white body wall tiles. we also entered the German market and its 10 million sqm/year capacity Dom occupies a very different mar- continues to be insufficient to meet with good results. ket segment and consists of a brand demand. We aim to strengthen the mid to highof handcrafted floor and wall tiles end residential and commercial retail where material and design are the channel by extending our range of ackey elements of the range. tion in Europe and consolidating our presence in AmerIt’s no coincidence that we have renamed it Dom De- ica with the acquisition of new customers. sign Studio. With Dom we focus mainly on the high- With Dom, which operates in the same geographical end residential, contract and hospitality sectors with markets, we are aiming for growth in the project and bespoke projects and collections designed in partner- contract segment. ship with customers. While the Ascot range concentrates on generating volTile International: Have you made any changes in umes, the more artisanal nature of Dom’s products terms of plant engineering at Ascot? means that we need to focus on creating margins. Andrea Bordignon: Right from the start, we identi- Tile International: Will the acquisition lead to any fied the areas of the production process that needed changes for Serra? to be optimised and were able to increase the capac- Simone Gentili: Serra has a well-established busiity of the two factories by around 40% while maintain- ness model that has already proved to be entirely fit ing the same plants. for purpose and, I would say, quite unique. We aim to We have also made new technological investments in strengthen the brand’s leadership position in the DIY large sizes (60x120 cm, 90x90 cm, 75x150 cm), includ- segment in Europe by expanding its presence in Gering the installation of a digital printing system in August. many and entering the French market with the introWe plan to follow these up with further investments duction of the larger sizes and rectified products that aimed at boosting production and improving quality. are currently in strong demand. Its operations in the Despite having a production capacity of 8.2 million Italian market will continue to be marginal. square metres per year, Ascot is also close to saturation. Tile International: How has the Covid-19 pandemic Tile International: Does this mean there may be new affected your plans and what end-of-year results are acquisitions on the horizon? you expecting for 2020? Andrea Bordignon: Victoria has always shown itself Simone Gentili: Following the April lockdown, we beto be open to further opportunities for external growth gan to see a recovery in May and enjoyed excellent rein the Italian ceramic district, not least because it aims sults over the three summer months. to bring the level of Italian turnover up to that of its We even worked on “Ferragosto”, the August 15th Italthree Spanish ceramic companies (around 235 million ian public holiday! euros in 2019), which have 4 plants and a production of At the beginning of September we experienced a around 26 million sqm/year. slowdown and are slightly concerned about the winFor the time being, the revenue generated by our ter months. brands in Italy stands at around 115 million euros per In general, however, we are meeting the 2020 targets year, so we still have a long way to go. we set before the outbreak of the pandemic. As I was Tile International: What sales results have you saying, Serra is expected to exceed these targets, while achieved so far with Ascot and Dom and what goals Ascot and Dom are likely to see a slower recovery in

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the traditional channel although we anticipate reaching the same turnover levels as in 2019. This year we really felt the absence of trade fairs such as Coverings and Cersaie, which are capable of generating significant business volumes, as well as the reduced personal contact with the market, a factor that is essential in the case of Ascot and Dom where price is not the primary consideration. During these months of forced im-

We the

were capacity

tories

maintaining

able

the

around the

increase two

40%

same

facwhile

plants.

We have also made new technological investments in large sizes (60x120 cm, 90x90 cm, 75x150 cm), including the installation of a digital printing system in August.

43 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

mobility, we took the opportunity to refurbish our showrooms, redesign our three websites, organise meetings with customers and focus strongly on digital channels. The market is certain to change in the near future and we will need to adapt rapidly. We plan to do this by introducing dedicated services such as just-intime logistics to enable us to deal more efficiently with market challenges as they arise. â&#x153;&#x2022;

Paola Giacomini

INNOVATION, DIGITALIZATION AND EFFICIENCY all operations. As a result, each brand reinforces the others despite having unique core values (e.g. the agility of VitrA compared to the rich heritage and extensive experience of V&B). The company also undertook a number of projects aimed at improving and strengthening its production infra-

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

In many ways, 2019 was a year of change and transformation for all the Eczacıbasi Tile Group’s well-known brands: VitrA, Villeroy & Boch and Engers. Last year, the Turkish group restructured the management team of its tile division and created new synergies by centralizing the management of

structure. Thanks to its strong sales performance in international markets, last year Eczacıbasi Tile Group won Turkey’s Export Championship Award. “In some of our core markets such as Russia, where the market contracted, and the UK, where the construction sector grew by just 2.5%, our sales

Villeroy&Boch - Rocky Art

VitrA - Urban Travertino

Villeroy&Boch - Urban Jungle

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were above the market average, while in some of our focus markets such as Benelux, and the Scandinavian and Gulf countries all our brands outperformed the market,” VitrA Tiles’ CEO Hasan Pehlivan tells us. The company also made a dynamic start to the first quarter of 2020 both in Turkey - where

sales almost doubled compared to the first quarter of the previous year - and in international markets. “These results reflect a number of our strengths, such as the services we provide to our business partners, our highly competent production team, and our ability to keep abreast of

changing market trends and customer needs and to incorporate them into our designs and product portfolios. Unfortunately, this positive trend was cut short by the pandemic,” adds Pehlivan. We met Hasan Pehlivan to talk about the company’s activity, future projects and expectations.

Chiara Bruzzichelli riod in 2019, while maintaining our level of business in c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it other countries. During the first few critical months of the pandemic, we also optimized our use of financial resources and rationalized our expenses. Since the start of the pandemic, we have used our online platform and tools as effectively as possible in our internal and external communication. We have periodically provided our stakeholders with transparent and accurate online information about developments in our business. And we have kept in touch with customers through our online channels and listened to their needs in order to respond quickly with solutions. Last but not least, the pandemic once again demonstrated the importance of digitalization, an aspect that remains at the top of our agenda. We rapidly developed and launched a platform to enable our sales teams working at physical stores to meet website visitors. Tile International: How have your main export markets evolved in recent months? H. Pehlivan: In recent months, we’ve been able to

Tile International: What measures have you implemented to sustain your business since the start of the pandemic? Hasan Pehlivan: Business results are of course very important, but from the very first day of the pandemic our motto was “Health comes first!”, so our first response was to ensure the health and safety of every colleague. Today we continue to take every possible precaution in our offices and production plants to protect our employees while continuing to work, produce, and contribute to the economy. The period since the end of February has been quite different and the challenges have revealed our strengths. Naturally, the pandemic led to a slowing in demand, but by taking comprehensive precautions we were able to keep our business running. While many companies across Europe faced severe problems and came to a virtual standstill, we continued to operate nonstop. As a result, we were able to achieve much higher growth in some markets compared with the same pe-

Hasan Pehlivan

45 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

While

many

companies

across

maintain our business in virtually all Europe faced severe problems and ing out to support your company’s came to a virtual standstill, we of our markets. growth? continued to operate non-stop. As Germany is currently our largest inH. Pehlivan: Projects to improve the a result, we were able to achieve ternational market. efficiency of our production plants are Over the last three years we’ve much higher growth in some always at the top of our agenda. markets compared with the same made remarkable headway in GerThat was the case before the panperiod in 2019, while maintaining many, particularly with VitrA, and demic and it continues to be so now. our level of business in other Germany’s effective handling of Another top priority is to make our countries. During the first few the pandemic has made the trend business more efficient through digcritical months of the pandemic, we sustainable. italization. We should also stress the also optimized our use of financial The markets most affected by the important contribution made by our resources and rationalized our pandemic were the UK - partly due expenses. hygienic surface technologies to safto the economic impact of Brexit in er and healthier living spaces. recent years - and France. During In addition, we are continuing to dethe early stage of the pandemic, we velop many innovative systems for were unable to achieve the growth we desired in these the worlds of design and architecture and to expand markets due to lockdowns, but the situation is improv- our product portfolio through collaboration with intering now. national designers. As for Russia, where we started tile production in SerI’m confident that V&B’s new Pro Achitectura 3.0 colpukhov in 2011 and which is one of our largest strategic lection will inspire architects and designers. In short, markets with double-digit growth in 2019, we will con- we aim to be one of the first brands that come into our tinue to invest in both our VitrA and V&B brands by of- stakeholders’ minds when they think of design, high fering market-specific designs and products. quality, service and delivery. It seems that this pandemic is going to be with us for Tile International: Do you agree that the pandemic a while, so we need to adapt to this new reality, take has changed consumer behaviour and will continue to the necessary precautions, and carry on with our lives. do so in the future? Accordingly, we expect the slowdown in demand H. Pehlivan: Numerous research studies indicate that to be gradually replaced by renewed vitality. Based consumer behaviour has changed in recent months. on our sales, that revitalization has long begun, as in First of all, with more time spent at home, many fammany markets we have returned to the sales volumes ilies have noticed details in their houses that need imachieved at the beginning of 2020. proving and now they want to get the work done quickTile International: Despite a negative construction ly. So we expect to see a surge in renovation demand in outlook in most countries, what are your forecasts for both online and offline sales channels. Our brands have this year? an extensive sales network and a high level of experH. Pehlivan: We’re doing business in a sector that is tise in design and renovation, so they are well prepared very sensitive to economic swings and consumer be- to respond to this demand across numerous markets haviour. While construction has been one of the sec- and channels. tors most affected by the crisis, this year has actually Another important change in consumer behaviour is been quite active for us. the growth in online shopping. People who had nevDespite the contraction and the negative impacts of er used e-commerce platforms began using them durthe pandemic, it’s clear that we will close the year with ing the first long lockdown period, and surveys show a good performance in some markets. Elsewhere, our that they plan to continue doing so in the foreseeable objective is to maintain our level of business, assum- future. Of course, many consumers used to shop oning that the second wave of the pandemic does not hit line before the pandemic, but we now see people usthese economies as hard as it did in the second quar- ing digital channels for more than just shopping - most ter of the year. notably for education but also for hobbies. Tile International: Which projects are you carry- This means that people are becoming much more in-

46 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

Projects to improve

tegrated with the online world, a trend that may well evolve into a permanent aspect of our behaviour in the future. Accordingly, we’ve begun to develop and implement marketing ideas that adapt to the reality of this new digital world. But we must not forget that people are social beings by nature. They will always want to touch, feel and experience things first hand. So the best path is to respond to new behaviour trends without forgetting this aspect. Tile International: What’s your outlook for the near future?

the

efficiency

our

production

plants are always at the top of our agenda. the

That

case

was

before

the pandemic and it continues to be so now.

Another

top

priority is to make our business more efficient

through

digitalization.

VitrA - Marmomix

47 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 2 / 2 0 2 0

H. Pehlivan: The Eczacıbaşı Group’s tile business has come a long way over the last three years and is now one of Europe’s top 10 tile producers. We are raising our sights even higher and will do all that we can to succeed. It looks like the important concepts of the future will continue to be innovation, digitalization and efficiency. With a vision that will carry our brands into the next era, we expect our achievements to grow steadily as we continue our journey towards our ambitious goals. ✕

FUSTECMA solutions for the new Grespania showroom Grespania Group opens the doors of a new exhibition area in its renewed facilities in Castellรณn (Spain). Covering more than 500 sq.m this space aimed at architects, interior decorators and designers, provides innovative architectural and construction ideas, with ceramic tiles and slabs taking centre stage.

FOTONEWS

FUSTECMA, the Spanish compa-

ny specialized in comprehensive and personalized exhibition systems, manufactured and assembled the display solutions of the entire showroom. Designed by the renowned creative studio CuldeSac, the retail area invites the visitors to take a tour of six spaces that recreate different top-end atmospheres: a loft, a spa, a bathroom, a restaurant, a boutique and a hotel.

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All of these have been designed to incorporate innovative ceramic products relevant to this field of professional buyers and design. They include Coverlam, the large-format, ultra-thin collection of porcelain slabs, as well as the most attractive and modern technical porcelain tile collections, with products suitable for use in ventilated faรงades and furniture.

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C E R A M I C ( R ) E VO LU T I ON Technologically advanced and a great multi-tasker, porcelain tile is now showing its versatility more than ever. Having broken free from its traditional confines, TAILOR MADE: the prĂŞt-a-poser bathroom by Ceramiche Piemme Ceramiche Piemme is proud to present the TAILOR MADE PROJECT, aimed at creating coordinated bathrooms, while safeguarding the environment and showcasing the

design

input

and

technical

and

aesthetic

characteristics of ceramic. A washbasin/monolith that can be installed in the middle of the room; wall-hung washbasins in various sizes; and support surfaces and shower trays for modern walk-in showers: all of these come with a wide range of aesthetic effects to suit the style of their host environment. Ideal for the renovation of hotels, residential complexes and public buildings, Ceramiche Piemmeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TAILOR MADE solutions, with integrated drainage system, are ready for installation without any need for masonry work, thus keeping things simple and saving time. This not only frees up the creativity of users

PHOTONEWS

and designers, but also ensures the highest technical quality in terms of reliability and safety. The wide range of finishes enables you to find the perfect juxtaposition of colour shades, and throw marble, concrete and stone textures into the mix.

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it is being used to decorate entire living areas and bathrooms, so as to combine coordinated styling with high-level performance.

Chiara Bruzzichelli c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

Interior design in porcelain stoneware by DEL CONCA HOUSE Ceramica del Concaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s porcelain stoneware lends itself to alternative uses that release the material from its traditional employment as a floor and wall covering and give it a leading role in all-round interior and exterior furnishing systems, inspired by nature and natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elements and materials. Under the new DEL CONCA HOUSE sub-brand, this has given rise to a fullblown collection of benches, lamps, seats, tables, washbasins and kitchens, all made using ceramic panels in countless combinations of colours and patterns. This crossover capacity makes it possible to compose fully coordinated contemporary spaces that meet the needs of the most demanding designs.

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C E R A M I C ( R ) E VO LU T I ON

Iris Ceramica Group launches SEVENTYONEPERCENT for the Wellness&Bathroom sector Iris

Ceramica

Group

has

launched

new

business

unit

called

SEVENTYONEPERCENT , dedicated to the design of creatively crafted furnishing solutions for the Wellness&Bathroom sector. The design input for the launch collection came from Paolo Castelli, one of the most prestigious names in the business, whose brief was to bring unprecedented aesthetic experiences to an increasingly demanding professional audience. The result is an exclusive interpretation of the bathroom environment, in which ceramic interacts with other premium materials, giving rise to unique creations that combine technical performance and craftsmanship with the most refined Italian design. The project is built on the foundations of three key concepts: INTEGRATION, as a prolific means of cross-fertilization between environments; BALANCE, as the main driver for the development of a state-of-the-art product that combines innovation with tradition; and HARMONY, the principle that regulates the natural world.

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THE TOP: porcelain stoneware for coordinated kitchens From kitchen countertops with integrated sinks to flooring, backsplashes and dining tables: Marazziâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s THE TOP collection of porcelain maxi-slabs, with a thickness of 12mm, is ideal for creating bespoke, coordinated environments, geared towards continuity between furniture and finishings. The collection comes in a vast range of concrete, marble, metal and stone effects, and an equally vast range of surface finishes, such as natural, satin, gloss or metal, depending on the material from which they draw inspiration. Since porcelain stoneware is water-repellent and resistant to scratching, staining, acids and temperature swings, you can work on it and put hot pans on it without fear of damage. It is also very strong and unaffected by exposure to UV radiation, frost and high temperatures, so is equally ideal for outdoor kitchens.

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SMOOTH ANTISLIP BY SERAMIKSAN

been applied wake the desire to touch with its soft

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s imagine a tile with a soft texture that is safe,

- Easy to Clean

suitable for indoor and outdoor usage and has

texture and gives a silky feeling. For something more than a tile, Sera Touch: Smooth Antislip technology reduces the roughness on the surfaces and provides an

an anti-slip technology which brings aesthetics

ease to clean.

into the each corner of every place. That is what Seramiksan presents with Smooth Antislip.

- Soft Touch

It is cleaned much easier than the present antislip

Tiles with Smooth Antislip brings a unique

tiles and does not show dirt easily, prevents

silky feeling.

bacteria formation and provides a hygienic

- Design Integrity

environment. With its new technology on Smooth

Smooth Antislip tiles which can be used both

Antislip surface, it brings a soft touch and safe

indoor and outdoor places provides design

places thanks to its characteristics.

integrity to the living spaces. You can use

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible to bring elegance to the places by

on any place without any color and surface

using aesthetic and modern tiles in the living

difference.

rooms and create safe living spaces with its R10

- Maximum Safety

Anti-slip value by using these tiles in wet places

Smooth Antislip keeps your whole family safe

such as bathrooms and balconies. Along with the

whether in wet indoor places or outdoor places

functionality for the safety of everybody, aesthetic

wherever it is applied.

is gaining importance in application areas such as

- Certified Technology

balconies, gardens and terraces. It brings integrity

Certifications given by accredited authorized

for the transition from indoor to outdoor.

institutions confirm the R10 result in anti-slip

Tiles for which Smooth Antislip technology has

test.

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Pierres des ChĂ˘teaux The new dream of timeless beauty and elegance

La Fabbrica S.p.A. - Via Emilia Ponente, 925 - 48014 Castel Bolognese (RA) - Italy Tel. +39 0546 - 659911 - Fax +39 0546 - 656223 - info@lafabbrica.it www.lafabbrica.it - www.avaceramica.it

A company part of

RAKO TILES FOR THE GASTRONOMY SECTOR The use of ceramic tiles in the gastronomy sector is subject to stringent requirements. They have to be inviting attractive and extraordinarily resilient, while also being easy to maintain, anti-slip and durable. The manufacturer Rako has customised responses ready for the most diverse furnishing concepts with its “Object” range: Throughcoloured, densely-sintered stoneware for floorings in dining areas and kitchens as well as series of wall and floor tiles for the washroom areas. Regardless of whether it is a fast food outlet or a high calibre restaurant, a cafeteria or the “food court” in a shopping mall – the very first impression should impart a sense of excellent taste. In the process, the wall and flooring tiles do not merely characterise the room atmosphere - their quality is also decisive for a permanently flawless impression.

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The “Object” range summarises a complex offering by Rako with a large choice, many colours, sizes and special shapes (for example, for steps or bases) and various anti-slip steps for the important matter of safety. The high level of wear resistance of the throughcoloured ceramic ensures that no colour changes appear on the surface even after intensive and long-term use. Moreover, matching frost-proof patio tiles allow for homogeneous solutions from indoors to outdoors. The subject has tradition at the manufacturer Rako: Tiles for the gastronomy sector were already produced for more than one hundred years, and can still be admired as historical treasures at the Café Imperial and the Gemeindehaus in Prague to this day.

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PROVENCE BY CERAMICA RONDINE The beauty of the territories of the region Provence has inspired several artists and writers, including famous one like Dante Alighieri. In this sense, Ceramica Rondine decided to create a new series of stone-effect surfaces called Provence. The availability of different sizes like cm 60x100 - 100x100 - 60x120 - 60x60 - 30x60 and STRONG 30,5x60,5 - 20,3x40,6 - 20,3x20,3 and the four delicate but decisive nuances - grey, light grey, cream and multicolor - makes this glazed porcelain stoneware line appropriate for any kind of environments.

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ECO DESIGN

ECO DESIGN means deep knowledge of the exhibiting needs in the tile & stone industry. The company sells directly to manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers to whom it guarantees a functional and impressive presentation for shops, showrooms and fairs. From single display-units to turn-key services and complete installations, ECO DESIGN satisfies any request making its expertise available to the customers. All products are conceived and manufactured in the factory in Italy and exported all over the world. The best-seller displays for slabs - sliding and rotating devices for an easy and effective presentation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and the full range of products are available on www.ecodesignsrl.it.

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ONYX INSPIRES VEINS AND TEXTURES OF THE NEW ONICE SERPENTINO, BY AVA Favourite stone since by the Royals of ancient Rome for the lining of their palaces, Onyx inspires veins and textures of the new Onice Serpentino series that interprets the marbleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elegance in a ceramic key. It is characterized by bright cream veins on a white background and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ideal for those who want to protect the harmony of their spaces, giving a delicate balance and refined elegance to the rooms. Onice Serpentino is available in one of the largest sizes in the world, 320x160 cm in 6

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mm thickness, in its related submultiples and in the large 280x120 size. The 10 mm thickness is also available in the large 180x180 format and in the 120x60 format. The large sizes and the thin thickness of just 6 mm represent the great versatility of the product which makes it extremely usable not only for floors and walls but also for creations in the field of design and furniture.

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Discover ANIMA collection @ ariana.it. Brand of ABK GROUP

THE HANDMADE COTTO BY ELIOS TERRE ETRUSCHE is the new porcelain stoneware collection by Elios Ceramica inspired by the handmade cotto. The floors of ancient farmhouses and noble villas of the Italian tradition take shape with the mix of colors that recalls the original material. Modular formats for interiors and exteriors, hexagon, mosaics and majolica decorations are coordinated to create infinite solutions full of charm and personality for commercial and

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residential spaces.

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PIERRE DES CHATEAUX BY LA FABBRICA Pierre des Chateaux ceramic evokes fragments of real life lived inside the French castles, in epochs of luxury and love for nature, for the beauty of its stones and gardens, enclosing the new dream of timeless beauty and elegance. The 8.8 mm thick series is available in 5 colors, with a natural rectified finishing and in the R11 finishing for outdoor in a thickness of 20 mm, thus guaranteeing chromatic continuity between internal and external environments.

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DR TECNICA

To accommodate the growing trend for large-format panels and the display requirements they generate, Dr Tecnica has developed and extended its range of metal display units with a number of systems designed to offer maximum visibility with total safety. Display unit ML.XL006/10 LARGE-FORMAT PANELS: a traditional system with single-face sliding frames on an ultra-slim stainless steel base, for the display of formats measuring 120x240 100x300 - 120x278 - 160x320cm. Display unit ML.002/5 LARGE-FORMAT PANELS: a traditional system with double-face frames, in pull-out only or pull-out and rotating versions, for the display of formats measuring 120x240 - 100x300 - 120x278cm. Display unit ML.XL007: display system incorporating a fixed single-face or double-face frame, for the display of formats measuring 120x240 - 100x300 - 120x278 - 160x320cm, with optional side communication panel.

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CONCRETE AND DOTS: THE TWO SOULS OF BLEND COLLECTION Concrete and Dots are the two souls of ABKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BLEND collection, a new idea of ceramic surface that identifies the stylistic essence of contemporary design in contrasts and contaminations. Blend Concrete is a porcelain stoneware with a concrete effect, proposed in 4 pattern and enriched by the graphic reproduction of micropebbles. Blend Dots is a trendy reinterpretation of Venetian seminato or terrazzo, a pattern always characterized by the theme of the fragment, here in marble, which takes up the mixing concept at the base of the BLEND project. Each of the 2 graphic themes

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is developed in four different shades declined in the numerous formats available, allowing infinite compositional possibilities. BLEND enhances residential and commercial spaces, satisfying the different needs thanks to the availability, based on the formats, of the three natural, lapped and P-tech finishes. The latter, in particular, represents an innovation by ABK, capable of improving the non-slip performance of floors, while being soft to the touch and easy to clean. P-tech is an interesting solution for public area projects, while for the outdoor BLEND offers the R11 grip finish both 20 mm thick (OUT.20) and 9mm thick.

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RE_TOUR BY FLAVIKER Already starting from the name, RE_TOUR declares its intent: the symbolic “return” to something that belongs to the past, a recycled material, in this case the French stones that constitute its source of inspiration, reworked following the “industrial” stylistic moodboard that identifies the latest generation of Flaviker products. RE_TOUR revisits the rusticity of the material and updates both the aesthetics and the colors, enhancing the natural variability of the stone and the imperfections of usury, to bring the charm of something unique and authentic even within contemporary architecture. RE_TOUR expresses the aesthetics of French rustic stones also in the large format, 120x120 cm for the floors and 120x278 cm for the covering, exploiting the chromatic variability of the surfaces as a style detail, both in renovations and in modern environments. Available in Fog, Mud, Ivory and Rope colors, the RE_TOUR range is also available in the 60x60, 60x120, 90x90 cm sizes, in addition to the 60x90 / 60x60 / 30x60 cm with which it is possible to design countless compositional solutions. The vintage character of the product also lends itself to creative Mix & Match with the most recent wood, metal and marble effect surfaces from the Flaviker catalog. The RE_TOUR collection is completed by the original Decor Mix decorative proposal, to create decorated inserts and real ceramic rugs, and the 20mm thick Grip R11 surface, ideal for creating continuity between interior and exterior.

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ENERGIEKER PRESENTS AMAZZONITE MARBLE LUXURY EFFECT The new Amazzonite tile collection by Energieker represents the combination of the latest technology and the research of the finest details with which nature delights us. Available in matt/rect version in sizes 60x120 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 120x120 -120x270 and polished Version in the same formats, this line of ceramic surfaces ideal for creating floors and walls with a modern-classic charm.

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ITALGRANITI’S “FORME COLORATE” Forme Colorate is the new delicate and eclectic chromatic project proposed by Italgraniti. A new ceramic wall tiles collection that focuses on pastel tones, from powder pink to blue, and elegant three-dimensional foliage patterns with a matte and silky finishing. Forme Colorate is dedicated to those who chase intimate atmospheres without sacrificing high functional performance. It is available in the 32x96.2 size and designed to give grace and freshness to the contemporary bathrooms.

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VITRA Marmostone, Natural stone and marble hybrid by VitrA. Marmostone porcelain collection leverages the veined structure of marble on a natural stone texture and creates a hybrid surface effect. The collection comes in two different surface options; one in matt with a dominant natural stone character, other in glossy with a marble effect. Inspired by the well-known white veined marble; the Amazing Grey marble of Italy, the collection offers a variety of size and natural colour options both for indoor and outdoor use.

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FLOOR ITALIA Amber is said to have incredible healing properties that promote serenity and mental elasticity. In terms of aesthetics, it contains a range of hues, from golden yellowwhite to red and black, which give its surface indisputable charm. The characteristics of this precious stone formed from trees that lived over 40 million years ago provide the inspiration for the new “Ambra Dorato” collection of porcelain tiles. Available in size 60x120cm, it can also be made to order in sizes 60x60 – 80x80 –120x120 and 120x240cm.

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ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 CERTIFIED

www.topcer.com

DUBAI WOR LD E X P O our top 6 pavilions Originally scheduled to be held in October 2020, the Dubai World Expo has been postponed to October 2021 with the theme

“Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, promising to be the World’s Greatest Show. During that time, 192 countries from around the world will be showcasing their very best innovations. We’ve rounded up some of the top Expo pavilions to show the huge range of experiences that guests can expect.

ITALY DOUTBHAEIRWCOORVLEDR IENXGPSO

OPPORTUNITY DISTRICT See how creativity comes from different places and disciplines in an unprecedented journey through the Italy of Beauty, touching on the country’s extraordinary past, present and future. The radical design is based on a circular approach to architecture. Three boats will arrive in Dubai and will be converted into the pavilion’s roofscape. In a similar way, the project integrates sustainable materials – such as orange peels, coffee grounds, mycelium and recycled plastic extracted from the ocean – as construction elements.

→ THEME - Beauty Connects People → ARCHITECTS - Carlo Ratti, Italo Rota, Matteo Gatto, F & M Engineering

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UNITED KINGDOM OPPORTUNITY DISTRICT The UK PAVILION is based around the theme of opportunity and looks at how we can innovate for a shared future. The architects behind this project are Es Devlin Studio, Avantgarde and Veretec. The outside of the pavilion features a poem that is continuously changing and evolving. This is generated both by ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) and by the contribution of visitors. This pavilion is inspired by a project from the late scientist Stephen Hawking, in which he pondered how humanity could express itself to an extraterrestrial civilisation. Inside, guests will get a sneak peek at several future innovations, from AI to the commercialisation of space.

→ THEME - Innovating for a Shared Future → ARCHITECTS - Es Devlin Studio, Avantgarde and Veretec

AZERBAIJAN SUSTAINABILITY DISTRICT The nature-inspired pavilion will encourage visitors to consider the impact of their individual choices and invest in the future now to restore balance to our natural world. The pavilion’s architecture is inspired by two elements: the tree and the leaf, and is designed to offer a place where Expo visitors can reflect on major issues related to sustainable development. The design also features a host of green credentials, including solar power, natural ventilation and rainwater harvesting technology.

→ THEME - Seeds for the Future → ARCHITECTS - Simmetrico

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AUSTRALIA MOBILITY DISTRICT The theme encapsulates Australian optimism, ambition and creativity. It celebrates Australian diversity and collaboration, and envisions infinite possibilities founded on 60,000 years of innovation. Visitors will get to navigate the universe with the world’s first astronomers, immerse themselves in the useful and beautiful land, and meet ethnically and culturally diverse Australians. The pavilion design will be concrete-free and made from organic materials including timber, stone and woven rope.

DUBAI WORLD E XPO

→ THEME - Blue Sky Dreaming → ARCHITECTS - Cox Architecture

SINGAPORE SUSTAINABILITY DISTRICT One of the top Expo pavilions on the theme of sustainability. Designed by WOHA, it boasts a net-zero energy rainforest that is powered by a self-sustaining ecosystem. The synergy between nature and architecture found this pavilion illustrates the spirit of Singapore’s innovations when it comes to sustainability. Guests will take part in an immersive 3D experience that looks at mankind’s resilience in the face of changing climate. The pavilion also showcases the story of Singapore, through a range of interactive exhibits and events, as well as culinary experiences.

→ THEME - nature, nature, nature → ARCHITECTS - WOHA

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OMAN MOBILITY DISTRICT Traverse thousands of years of Omani progress and international collaboration. Oman’s ‘gift to the world’, frankincense has played a vital and varied role in the nation’s development from ancient times to the present day. The Oman Pavilion pays tribute to this precious resin, with its exterior resembling the tree that produces frankincense. Inside there are five zones detailing the diverse ways in which frankin-cense has benefited Oman – spanning everything from medicine to food to cosmetics.

→ THEME - Oman - Opportunities over Time → ARCHITECTS - Adi Architecture

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A N E W L I F E F O R M A N I FAT T U R A TA B A C C H I I N R O V E R E T O

PROJECTS

The redevelopment of industrial archaeology area is a problem that frequently affect our urban centres. Very often these are large areas of great historical

value and, due to the abandonment, are in degraded conditions. Never the less these complexes, properly restored, can become great development

Manifattura Tabacchi was born in Borgo Sacco quarter in the mid-nineteenth century. Starting from that moment, Rovereto became the centre of tobacco production in Trentino Alto Adige, bringing employment and wellness to the local population. The activity continued uninterrupted until 2008, when production was moved to a production plant in Lecce. Fortunately, the Trentino Sviluppo agency was born in the same year, an authority of the autonomous province of Trento, which acquired the entire area and started a complex redevelopment of the structure, creating a fly-wheel for the local companies and founding a large laboratory focused on Green Innovation research. The project is innovative thanks to the type of spaces that architects Kengo Kuma and Carlo Ratti have imagined. The whole structure appears in fact as a connective tissue which connects public and private spaces. The symbol of this concept is certainly a long strip of land that hides inside offices and laboratories, while outside it is covered with greenery and crossed by

a long-raised floor for the circulation of the public. It is an attention to environment which translates also into a use of recyclable materials and green sources of energy. The raised floor installed on this structure, which a lot of people have called â&#x20AC;&#x153;green blanketâ&#x20AC;?, has considerable dimensions. For its realization, the builders used the supports for raised floors of the company Impertek. This laying system was in fact the most suitable to combine the needs of stability, efficiency and speed of work. The project was supposing to lay a raised floor composed by big-format stone tiles and long wooden boards, thus using the two most suitable materials to that place. To realize this mixed floor, architects have chosen to use Rail System by Impertek. Thanks to this modular system, it was possible to realize with ease and great precision, a raised floor which normally would have required a great deal of time and money. Rail System is composed by height-adjustable supports, where aluminium joists Rail are hooked. Upside these joists, the Top Rail AS heads find place and support the components of the

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opportunities, as happened in the case of the ex Manifattura Tabacchi in Rovereto (Trentino Alto Adige – Italy).

Chiara Bruzzichelli c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

flooring, guaranteeing a perfect stability thanks to their anti-slip coating. This raised path, whose inauguration is scheduled in 2020, required the use of a lot of material. 16.960 MegaMart S supports (from 121 to 211 mm height), 5.080 extensions for Megamart S, 10.940 MegaMart

MM3 supports (from 75 to 120 mm height), 360 MegaMart MM1 supports (from 35 to 50 mm height) and 23.500 Top Rail AS heads have been used. Each support can carry a load of up to 1000 kg, guaranteeing an excellent structural stability despite a very low weight of the final flooring. ✕

All these components are part of PEDESTAL LINE, the most complete range of products for raised floors. For over 30 years, Impertek has been finding the better solutions in the outdoor raised floors laying field, meeting the architect’s design needs and creating products that make the work of the installer easier and faster. Examples are the Balance supports, the pedestals with self-levelling head that automatically corrects the slope up to 5% to guarantee a perfect levelling of the upper flooring. The same range also includes the lowest adjustable supports on the market (10 mm high PrimeUp), the Clips for steps and a lot of other essential accessories. For more information on PEDESTAL LINE visit the website: www.impertek.com

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S C H LÜ T E R - S Y S T E M S FOR EXT E R IOR COV E R I NG S AT A R I O S T E A H Q Ariostea, a historic company based in Italy’s Ceramic Valley and a pioneer in the production of large-format porcelain tile, recently remodelled

the forecourt of its headquarters in Castellarano. The work involved replacing the screed and laying a new ceramic covering, in the form of

Let’s take a more detailed look at the layering system they used: • A Schlüter®-TROBA-PLUS8 protective drainage membrane was laid underneath the screed, to ensure effective drainage of any water that might penetrate through it. UNI 11493-1:2016 recommends the installation of a drainage layer under the screed to prevent the risk of water accumulating inside it. • A decoupling membrane from the DITRA family was then laid on top of the screed to separate the floor covering from the subfloor. By neutralising the stresses caused by the different rates of expansion of these layers, this stops the

PROJECTS

Installing such a large format outdoors is a major challenge, because it requires the construction of a layered subfloor capable of withstanding high thermal, mechanical and hygrometric stresses, while at the same time preventing damage to the ceramic panels laid over it. The design and installation of the paving was undertaken by TECHNORIUNITE srl, based in Castellarano (Reggio Emilia, Italy), which has many years’ experience of laying large-format ceramics, both indoors and out. Fully aware of the critical conditions faced by large-format ceramics laid outdoors, the company opted to use Schlüter-Systems products to create the layered subfloor.

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large-format porcelain panels from the ULTRA series, in size 300x100cm.

1/2. The outdoor layered subfloor system comprises a SchlüterDITRA-DRAIN membrane for decoupling the screed from the ceramic covering, and a

Schlüter-TROBA-PLUS drainage layer under the screed.

Viewed from above, you can see truly impressive size of the slabs used for the covering.

Chiara Bruzzichelli c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

1 2 surface covering from cracking and detaching. In view of the large size of the ceramic panels involved, the contractors opted for the Schlüter-DITRA-DRAIN 4 membrane, which provides micro-ventilation beneath the covering, thus speeding up the curing of the adhesive. The other benefits of this solution are that it protects the substrate against water penetration and vents out vapour pressure, so it can be laid on screeds that are not yet fully cured. Thanks to its three-dimensional structure and the use of the back-buttering adhesive application technique, the Schlüter-DITRA-DRAIN membrane effectively corrects the likely tolerances of the screed, to ensure full-coverage installation of the XXL panels without any risk of uneven load distribution.

Courtesy of innovative Schlüter-Systems technology and the expertise of the Technoriunite team, Ariostea’s prestigious headquarters now has a new calling card and welcomes its visitors with a new forecourt, made with a truly impressive ceramic format. ✕

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REMODELLING: WA H R O O N G A P R I VAT E R E S I D E N C E , AU S T R A L I A A 2,764.5 sq.m residential complex in Wahroonga, in the Australian state of New South Wales, recently

underwent a complete renovation programme involving all the residential parts of the site.

Brindabella Renovations, a multi-award-winning Sydney-based company with over 25 years’ experience of home renovations, proved to be the ideal partner for the substantial project required by the home-owners. John Spiteri, the Company’s Director, and the whole Brindabella team, worked in close partnership with Robyn Cote, an interior designer from Inspired Interiors, and LATICRETE, to meet all the home-owners’ requirements, including in relation to the indoor and outdoor tiling of the new unit and the restyling of the finishings in the existing spaces.

ed to join the two buildings by means of the covered deck, to make it look as though they had been joined from the outset. Outdoors, an entire section of the old back garden was demolished to make way for the new building, which involved many hours of careful planning and constant work with on-site engineers to ensure the foundations would be rock-solid. The builders then had to prepare the sub-terrain around the swimming pool and carry out maintenance work on the natural marble, so as to be able to embellish the area with a wide variety of external stonework. Indoors, lastly, the layout and design of the bathrooms was completely overhauled, to bring them into line with the highest contemporary standards of styling and functionality.

Design challenges

PROJECTS

The work also involved the addition of a totally new section, housing a five-room guest house, and the

The biggest challenge was to keep the style of the new building as faithful as possible to the main structure, so that it would look seamlessly integrated into the original context, as though it had always been there. To achieve this, the roof-line was extend-

LATICRETE’s solutions and input Joe Tabone, LATICRETE’s Technical Sales Repre-

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regeneration of the entire outdoor area, including the swimming pool surround, the extension of the existing deck and the construction of new perimeter walls.

Before and during the restoration

sentative for NSW, was originally contacted by John Spiteri of Brindabella Renovations to help provide high-quality installation and treatment solutions to ensure long-lasting results.

Chiara Bruzzichelli c.bruzzichelli@tiledizioni.it

“We worked closely with Joe Tabone, to make sure we specified the correct solution for this job” explains Spiteri. “Given the scale of the job, it was really important that we made sure the site was properly prepared and the correct additives, adhesives and grouts were used to ensure the quality result we required. LATICRETE provided everything we needed, using its proven ordering process and comprehensive system. The work was finished on schedule and Joe visited the site on numerous occasions and was always available on the phone to provide assistance or answer questions.”

LATICRETE products for the project. HYDRO BAN® waterproof membrane was installed in almost all the indoor and outdoor areas, and 3701 Mortar Admix was used for the screeds Off-white 335 adhesive was used for the exterior mar-

Brindabella Renovations chose a wide range of

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ble and the granite cobblestone driveway, and white 335 adhesive was used for the interior marble. 335 adhesive was also used for the bathrooms. On the strength of its excellent suitability for underwater applications, 254 adhesive was chosen for the pool tiling. The water feature was a major visual element within the project, so the contractors chose LATAPOXY® 300 adhesive to ensure prefect execution. To complete the installation, PERMACOLOR® Grout was used for the dry area applications and SPECTRALOCK® PRO Premium Grout was used for the wet areas, including the bathrooms. Technical data: Architectural plan: Wahroonga private residence

Result

Contractor: Brindabella Renovations

Brindabella Renovation’s professional approach, painstaking design and expert installation, paired with globally proven LATICRETE installation materials, made for an effective partnership that yielded a flawless result for the home-owners. ✕

Construction team: John Spiteri & team at Brindabella Renovations Distributor: Tile Tech Supplies Photographs: Real Images

PROJECTS

Interior Design: Robyn Cote – Inspired Interiors

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AUTOMATIC MACHINES FOR PRODUCTION OF SPECIAL PIECES

AUTOMATIC CUTTING LINE

MVB/4 AMINEUS

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR KITCHEN AND BATHROOM TOPS, STEPS, BULLNOSE

CUTTING and PROFILING

T e l . + 3 9 0 5 3 6 9 4 1 5 1 0 sales.dpt@ ferrariecigarini.com

www.ferrariecigarini.com

Decoupling Progress Profiles holds the key PRODESO HEAT GRIP XL SYSTEM is the revolutionary electrical heating system for floors and coverings that provides warmth only where desired in few minutes; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a cost effective, time and energy saving solution.

The polypropylene membrane, with uncoupling, waterproofing

Moreover, the rounded square shaped reliefs are provided with

and vapour management features, has an 8 mm thickness and

truncated almost square based pyramid cavities that transfer

is provided with a non-woven thermowelded polypropylene

the loads from flooring to the support. The reliefs are designed

fabric on the back side.

to easily hold the Prodeso Heat Grip Cable only where required.

The new membraneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s design suits to any floor or existing

The heating cable, with its new 6.5 mm diameter, is provided

surface, optimizing its performances; its new structure allows

with many electrical resistors connected in parallel.

L AY I N G T E C H N O L O G I E S

a perfect fixing of the heating cable and a crack-bridging ability

In case of cable damage, only the involved resistor stops, not

five-times more than the previous systems.

interrupting the heating transmission of the entire system.

86 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 4 / 2 0 2 0

The Cutting Revolution for Large Format Tiles

· TITANIUM WHEELS SELECTION SYSTEM · Non-slip system without suction cups · Quick elastic connection · “No Limits” extendable system with rails · INTERNATIONAL PATENT · 100% MADE IN ITALY

montolit.com

Raimondi

L AY I N G T E C H N O L O G I E S

E-FOX & LAB330 by Raimondi: battery-operated vibrator and bridge wet saw for large format tiles

Large format tiles are getting more and more popular and

with reduced vibrating area) and provide with three handles

lead towards refinement and widening of the dedicated range

E-FOX is perfect for both wall and floor use. It comes with a

of tools. Among the recently introduced products we mention

padded bag (with handles and shoulder strap) for storage and

E-FOX and LAB330.

transport.

E-FOX is the brand-new battery-operated large format tiles

LAB330 is the bridge saw (water-cooled diamond blade)

vibrator provided with selectable vibrating surface. Vibration

specifically designed for performing straight cut as well as 45Â°

is essential to remove the air underneath the tiles and thus

mitre cut on large format tiles up to 330 cm in length.

pursue the so-called full-coverage; which is essential to prevent

The mitre cut can be performed on tiles up to 160 cm wide

cracking once tiles are installed. E-FOX performs this task with

(can be widened with dedicated accessories) and 320 cm long.

maximum effectiveness. The battery (up to 200 m2 vibrated

Performing cuts with a water-cooled diamond blade gives a very

with a single charge) makes it very practical to use. The large

high level of finishing. LAB330 is equipped with 2 side benches

vibrating area (21x41cm) results in maximum speed and

equipped with a counter-square, powerful 2.2 Kw motor and Ă&#x2DC;

therefore productivity. The vibrating area can be reduced to

200 mm diamond blade. LAB330 is the ideal solution for those

15x15cm with ease; this makes E-FOX perfect even for use on

looking for the right mix of ease of use, production capacity,

small surfaces (for instance steps).

quality of both straight and 45Â° mitre cut without the need to

Lightweight (5.3 kg with maximum vibrating area and 3.3 kg

make excessively demanding investments.

88 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 4 / 2 0 2 0

http://www. .com INTERIOR DESIGN

S U R FAC E S ARCHITECTURE

M AT E R I A L S TECHNOLOGIES NOW ALSO ON

Instagram!

Montolit Brevetti Montolit presents FLASH LINE 3 the third generation of manual cutting system for all extra-large sizes (from 0 to 340 cm).

L AY I N G T E C H N O L O G I E S

The new equipment, created in collaboration with the “Politecnico di Milano”, consists of an incision trolley, modular rails and nibbler, all inside in a practical and strong “cordura” bag.

The futuristic incision slider, made of die-cast aluminum,

the indications of Montolit technicians and above all his instinct

slides on the guide bars thanks to three wheels in anti-friction

and experience.

material, but the “Real Heart of the system” it’s Revolution

The three aluminum modular guide bars, each 120 cm long, are

3WD, that’s consist in a loader that supports the incision

positioned directly on the slab to be cut without any particular

wheels, it is a polygon made of aluminum alloy, of aeronautical

fixing system; the grip is obtained thanks to the special silicone

derivation, that houses three wheels of different diameters: 8,

strips placed on the contact surface and the fixing increases

12 and 20 mm all with surface treatment in Titanium to ensure

with the power of the pressure exerted on the slide carriage.

greater smoothness and durability.

The clamps or suction cups are completely useless (unique and

The tiler can select the most suitable wheel for the work to

internationally patented system).

be done, with a simple rotation of the support, without using

The operation of the incision it’s facilitated by the ergonomic

specific equipment.

handle that allows the user a total control and always optimal

The three engraver wheels are naturally able to deal with

pressure. At the end, with the nibbler consisted in a double

any kind of porcelain stoneware, ceramic or glass without

splitting system, the separation is carried out along the traced

problems, but the user will have the right to choose the most

incision line.

suitable tool according to the type of material, (its consistency

By visiting the website www.montolit.com it is also possible

/ compactness or surface finish) to guarantee precise cuts with

to discover all the other equipment supplied for working

a better finish and obtain a “workmanlike execution”, following

professionally with large ceramic big formats.

90 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 4 / 2 0 2 0

new showroom GRESPANIA made by Fustecma

Come back with your best face! renew your showroom like never before to sell as always

COMPREHENSIVE SHOWROOM RENOVATIONS TECHNICAL AREAS - SHOWROOMS - INTERIORS STANDS - DESIGN - TAILORED EXHIBITORS

Ferrari&Cigarini

COMPACTLINE: to customize special pieces with fast production and increase of profit.

and building materials who, through the use of these

been designed by Ferrari & Cigarini to guarantee the same

machines, would be able to provide a further service to their

qualitative standards, already consolidated in the cutting,

customers, cutting the delivery times in half by being able

profiling and rectifying machines, applying the same know-

to create directly slabs, mosaics, anti-slip grooves, pre-cuts,

how on smaller and easy to use machineries.

special pieces (triangle, rhombus), skirting, jolly, polished

Compact line is proposed, in particular, for showrooms,

marble plinths in straight edge, half bullnose, bullnose in

workshops and resellers of ceramics, marble natural stone

ceramic porcelain.

L AY I N G T E C H N O L O G I E S

It is confirmed the success of the Compactline, that has

92 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 4 / 2 0 2 0

profilpas When it comes to renovations, those on balconies and terraces are certainly among the most frequent interventions. For this purpose, and obviously also for new constructions, Profilpas has designed CERFIXÂŽ PROTEC, a complete, functional and modern range for the protection and finishing of these outdoor spaces.

Among the many available models, there is Protec CPGV,

anti-fracture membrane, to be installed before the laying

a perimeter draining profile in colour-coated aluminium,

of the floor. The lattice of communicating channels allows

composed of a visible vertical part which covers the tile

the vent of vapor pressure, thus making the membrane

border and allows the outflow of rainwater, and a protruding

suitable for the installation on moist screeds and accelerating

part with holes to guarantee the further drainage of the water

construction time.

seeped under the tiles. CPGV can be used with tile thicknesses up to 12,5 mm, is available in 5 modern finishes and is

The integrated use of Protec CPGV and WPstop 3 ensures

provided with special accessories for the creation of outside

an optimal protection of balconies and terraces and,

corners, inside corners and junctions.

consequently, a longer duration over time. There is also the possibility to choose other models of profiles,

For outdoor spaces such as balconies and terraces, Profilpas

different in shape, material and dimensions, and other kinds

also proposes WPstop 3, a waterproofing, uncoupling and

of membrane to satisfy the most varied customer needs.

Protec CPGV

WPstop 3

Protec CPGV + WPstop 3

NEW:: CerfixÂŽ Protec Flex, bending profiles for NEW balconies and terraces

93 T I L E I N T E R N AT I O N A L 4 / 2 0 2 0

From 26.10.2020 tecnanext.com

ORGANIZED BY

IN COLLABORATION WITH

SUPPORTED BY

Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale

FOSHAN，CHINA

4.18-21, 2021

Professional | International | Inﬂuential

800+ Exhibitors with 10,000+ Exhibits 400,000+ Sqm Exhibiting Area 120,000+ Attendees Include

Exhibits:

Tiles·Sanitaryware·Unit Bath·Mosaic·Whole-house Customization

·Ceramic Auxiliary Materials·Ceramic Equipment

en.cerambath.org

+86 18925942595/+86 75782525961

cerambath@eccc.com.cn/fair@eccc.com.cn

DAZZLE YOUR GROUT.

ADD A LITTLE SPARKLE.

A unique design component, SPECTRALOCK® DAZZLE™ adds metallic and “Glow-In-The-Dark” enhancements to SPECTRALOCK® PRO PREMIUM GROUT.

www.laticrete.eu | +39 059 557680 | info@laticreteeurope.com

Globally Proven Construction Solutions

www.laticrete.eu | +39 059 557680 | info@laticreteeurope.com

Globally Proven Construction Solutions

We offer a full line of polyaspartic, epoxy and polyurethane floor coatings, ideal for commercial and industrial applications, even in the most demanding environments.

Creative minds use innovative flooring systems.

LATICRETEÂŽ Flooring Systems

Customizable colours, textures, and finishes.

Creative minds use innovative flooring systems.

LATICRETEÂŽ Flooring Systems

We offer a full line of polyaspartic, epoxy and polyurethane floor coatings, ideal for commercial and industrial applications, even in the most demanding environments.

www.laticrete.eu | +39 059 557680 | info@laticreteeurope.com

Globally Proven Construction Solutions

Collection: Arenal Crema

www.pietredarredo.com | info@pietredarredo.com | +39 075 923561

CONTENTS

3 6 12 14 20 24

EDITORIAL - Yet another magazine?

PROJECTS: Casa Bures, Barcelona: transformation and conservation Cosentino surfaces at The Leonardo, South Africa A historic residence in Montreal

Gian Paolo Crasta

INTERVIEW - A winning interior design “SKEMA”

Sabrina Tassini

PHOTONEWS - Pietre d’Arredo for “Borgo dei Castelli Romani” TRENDS - Colors & Surfaces: waiting for the future FRESH TALKS - OR.NAMI: eclecticism on wallpaper

Sabrina Tassini

PHOTONEWS - The Founder’s Office, Abu Dhabi

26 30 36 38

MATERIAL MIX - Products gallery

COVER PICTURE: Shou County Culture and Art Center by Studio Zhu-Pei Photography: Schran Images • Full article on: https://www.materialicasa.com/mc-en/ projects/shou-county-culture-and-art-center-by-studio-zhu-pei/

SURFACES INTL ADV LIST: Dural......................................................... 11 Eco Design .......................................... 19 Original Parquet............................. 4/5 Pietre D'Arredo...................................... 1

A winning interior design “SKEMA”

Surfaces INTL 1/20

TILE INTERNATIONAL'S ADV LIST (Upsidedown!)..............................22

OR.NAMI: eclecticism on wallpaper

Project: Casa Bures, Barcelona

EDITORIAL

• YET ANOTHER MAGAZINE? • Gian Paolo Crasta - g.crasta@tiledizioni.it

TH E A NSWER I S YES .

In these unprecedented times, we’ve specifically chosen to make further investments, so as to provide all stakeholders in the coverings industry - especially international buyers, importers and distributors - with a fresh viewpoint and a showcase of the new coverings that are increasingly emerging alongside more traditional ones.

A S A L R EADY M ENTIONED IN O U R ED I TORIAL IN TIL E INTERNATI ONAL , TH E PAGES THAT FOLLOW R EPRESENT A NEW CROSS-MEDIA PRODUCT TO AD D TO O U R STABLE OF LON G- STAND ING TITLES

product launches, and will also be a useful tool in the hands of designers looking to create effective, eclectic moodboards. As we travel from Abu Dhabi to Montreal via Johannesburg and Barcelona – in keeping with the true spirit of this allnew publishing venture – we take readers on a voyage of discovery of the “international surfaces” used in some of the latest and most interesting architecture and interior design projects. Lastly, we share a study of colour trends carried out by Azzolini Tinuper, a Milan-based practice specialising in colour design: it’s an exclusive project aimed at capturing the stylistic inputs poised to make waves in the architectural materials world in the near future. ✕

We’ll be doing so by means of this printed magazine, combined with Tile International, and – as from 2021 – an English-language web portal, dedicated newsletters and social media channels. We’re aiming to provide a platform for the latest trends, innovative projects and the industry’s movers and shakers, with a fresh, dynamic angle, in line with current technical and aesthetic standards.

UPSIDEDOWN

By way of an initial insight into the vibrant array of materials being developed at the moment, we met one of the leading international manufacturers of laminate coverings and explored the multi-faceted world of designer wallpaper, through the vision of a promising Italian creator and producer. We also take a look at a selection of increasingly advanced, high-performance materials that are venturing into the design arena with a variety of stand-out features for next-generation residential and contract environments. Our coverage will help keep dealers up to date on the latest

Surfaces INTL 1/20

QUADRASTUDIO

The "Business Smoked Aged Handscrape" collection is characterized by irregular undulations on the surface of the wood, joined at the base of Oak Aged, give a distressed and antique aspect that retraces the style and charm of craftsmanship, following the great tradition of the past. This effect gives a three-dimensional to the wooden floor making it even more enjoyable both visually and to the touch.

collection

www.originalparquet.com HQ . FACTORY via Dellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Artigianato 18 SHOWROOM via Del Lavoro 4 48011 Alfonsine (RA) - Italy ph. +39.0544.80696

INTERVIEWS

Sabrina Tassini

PRODUCTS

SURFACES INTL: You have a wide product range:

what particular strengths does it have and why can it be seen as innovative? RAFFAELE FERRARA: Skema covering systems range from high-quality laminates to premium wood species, via acoustic control systems for walls and ceilings, raised technical flooring, outdoor WPC decking, resilient SPC flooring and wood composite coverings such as Lumbertech

Surfaces INTL 1/20

Driven by an evolutionary force that makes them highly expressive, the materials we produce are designed to go beyond the confines of standard floor, wall and ceiling coverings, to become fullblown interior architectural features.

and Evertech: all these solutions are the result of constant research and are tangible expressions of the Innovation and Evolution that underpin our company philosophy. Driven by an evolutionary force that makes them highly expressive, the materials we produce are designed to go beyond the confines of standard floor, wall and ceiling coverings, to become full-blown interior architectural features. One of the aspects that make our products so innovative is their engineering, which is done using patented, high-te-

INTERVIEWS

A WINNING INTERIOR DESIGN “SKEMA” Established in 1992 in Ponte di Piave, in the Italian province of Treviso, Skema stood out for its new approach to materials right from the start, specializing in the production of pre-finished floating laminate flooring with an HDF base. From that day to this, the company has never stopped evolving, and over the years has become a focal point for people looking for all-round solutions. Its mission revolves around enhancing the sense of well-being generated by human living spaces, by introducing new covering systems that offer practical solutions to everyday needs. The company’s established leadership is also widely recognized by its professional target market of dealers and architects, with whom it keeps in close touch at all times. This even carried on during lockdown, in the form of online initiatives, such as training courses and virtual events, designed to boost relations with customers and prospects.

We’ll be launching a materials-driven programme designed to enable users to compose their own coverings however they want them, so that they can use them for partition walls, wood panelling and small coordinated interior design items.

We discussed Skema’s vision in particular and current trends in this market segment i n general, with Raffaele Ferrara, the Group’s Marketing & Project Manager. Raffaele Ferrara

ch processes that keep raising product performance to ever higher levels. And what’s more, these products are all designed for adhesive-free installation. SURFACES INTL: What new products and projects are you focusing on at the moment? R. FERRARA: We’re focusing on new concepts, in the form of high-tech, high-performance, aesthetically advanced finishing solutions for the professional market, under the aegis of SKEMAidea, a Group division geared towards design, innovation and environmental welfare, which was set up about two years ago under the creative direction of the architect Franco Drius-

so. We’re focusing on patented coverings for acoustic control, both rigid and textile, and new releases such as Trametes, which give us a route into the world of architecture and acoustic upgrade projects. But we’re also channelling a lot of effort into Vero Legno, a parquet project that puts a fresh slant on traditional designs under the Linea YLES brand, while also continuing to develop wood and non-wood products for raised covering systems, to make it easier to install technical equipment underneath them. We also intend to set coverings free from the static, two-dimensional model to which they are traditionally confined. In

Surfaces INTL 1/20

INTERVIEWS

fact, we’ll be launching a materials-driven programme designed to enable users to compose their own coverings however they want them, so that they can use them for partition walls, wood panelling and small coordinated interior design items.

In terms of application, however, our materials cut across multiple segments with ease, although our main avenue of business lies in the residential and functional renovation sector. We also take care of shop-fitting projects, for which we harness the power of materials to create brand-specific designs MARKETS, APPLICATIONS AND SALES CHANNELS when required; and we handle complete finishing or renovation projects for workspaces. Lastly, we work with the furnituSURFACES INTL: Which areas and markets are you most acti- re industry, as suppliers of floor and wall coverings for design ve in? Would it be fair to say that your collections are partly in- concepts for well-known Italian furnishing brands. This gives fluenced by these? us the opportunity to look behind the scenes at products beR. FERRARA: The main sources of inspiration for our approa- fore they are launched, which also provides a rich seam of crech are the German-speaking and Scandinavian markets, whe- ative stimuli. re the culture of adhesive-free, wood-derived products ori- SURFACES INTL: What are your main physical and virtual saginates: the Skema range is actually more closely attuned to les channels? the North European than the Mediterranean tradition of bu- R. FERRARA: Skema products are currently sold exclusively ilding, which still tends to favour coverings of mineral origin, through physical showrooms, all of which are carefully sesuch as ceramic. And the stylistic approach lected and approved. Some of these are speof the Nordic countries, which are famed for We follow the stylistic ap- cialist flooring dealers, whereas others are turtheir preference for pale, soft colour palettes proach of the Nordic coun- nkey furnishing suppliers, such as contractors, and strongly nature-inspired material effects, rather than specialist furniture shops. Their getries, which are famed for is the main source of inspiration for the creographical coverage spans Italy, Europe and, their preference for pale, soft ation of our collections of floor and wall cofor some years, also Asia, the Middle East and colour palettes and stronverings. So our inspiration is a willingly choAmerica. The reason we still prefer traditional gly nature-inspired mate- distribution channels to e-commerce – despisen constraint for us, but it’s also a way of marial effects, is the main sour- te the fact that we realize it is vital to take care king ourselves stand out in Italy and abroad as ce of inspiration for the crea- of our digital activity in order to foster our user the leading Italian company specializing in this tion of our collections of flo- base and keep in direct touch with market taspecific segment.

or and wall coverings.

Realizzazione showroom Who’s Perfect (Monaco di Baviera) by Arch. Franco Driusso. Collezioni: EVERTECH, AKUSTIKA, TEKNA

Surfaces INTL 1/20

INTERVIEWS

Lumbertech Trametes

stes – is that we are firm believers in the importance of providing support through expert intermediaries between the company and the final customer, all the way through the process of transformation and installation. TRENDS

SURFACES INTL: Which materials are most in demand on today’s market and which do you think are most likely to gain ground in the future? R. FERRARA: The type of floor covering that is

Yles

The type of floor covering that is most in demand at the moment is wood, but not strictly in terms of the material itself, more in terms of its appearance. We have seen demand shift away from traditional organic materials towards synthetic materials that combine an organic appearance with high functional performance.

most in demand at the moment is wood, but not strictly in terms of the material itself, more in terms of its appearance. Parquet, for example, now accounts for the least substantial share of Skema’s sales, because it has been overtaken by laminates and synthetic or engineered floor coverings, which have seen considerable growth, on the back of increasing interest from the market. Over the past two years, we have seen demand shift away from traditional organic materials towards synthetic materials that combine an organic appearance with high functional performance. This is partly due to the ceramic in-

Surfaces INTL 1/20

INTERVIEWSS

dustry, which has helped raise the status of imitation wood and made professionals and users more willing to reconsider their feelings about technological materials, such as laminate, which were seen as little more than stopgap solutions until 10 years ago. SURFACES INTL: Which key features do you think finishing materials need to have in order to meet the requirements of the residential sector effectively? And which are the key features for the contract sector, HoReCa, etc.? R. FERRARA: The message from the residential market is loud and clear: the most important features that finishing materials for residential applications need to have are life-like aesthetic effects – especially when it comes to imitation wood – practical performance in terms of everyday care, and impeccable environmental credentials in terms of the supply chain. In fact, we’re seeing that even end-users care more and more about sustainability and health nowadays. On top of these features, safety is a priority for the HoReCa sector, for operators and customers alike, so there’s a preference for strong, fire-resistant and non-slip materials. This sector also gives high priority to materials that are easy to turn into customized, coordinated finishing systems. Our flooring lines, for example, are fully harmonized according to seven unique colour codes to enable professionals to develop totally customized moodboards. SURFACES INTL: What trends can we expect to see in the coverings industry in the near future and what direction do you plan to move in? R. FERRARA: For the next few years, we think that trends in

covering materials will still be linked to everything that derives from the natural world and to the sensory properties of the source materials, with a clear preference for matt and tactile surfaces. Pending the consolidation of this trend, we’re focusing our efforts on our ability to be “futur-rustic”, in other words to imbue new finishing projects with ever more creative and technological content that caters for future contingents, while remaining rooted in organic matter. SUSTAINABILITY

SURFACES INTL: More and more consideration is being given

to environmental sustainability in interior design: how does the concept of eco-compatibility translate into Skema’s everyday activities? R. FERRARA: The environment is a key concern for Skema. The company takes green issues very seriously, and this has prompted us to adopt an evolutionary process that involves our products, workplaces, materials and the energy we use. UNI EN ISO 14001 certification testifies to the sustainability of our processes, products and infrastructure; FSC and PEFC certification shows that we only use wood from sustainably managed forests; and GREENER certification demonstrates our commitment to clean energy. We also have A+ and CAM certification for use in projects where traceability is a requirement. Furthermore, contrary to what you might expect, modern vinyl flooring can be highly eco-sustainable thanks to the use of new technologies combined with inert materials and polymers certified both at source (on emissions) and in residential use. ✕

BEST IN INTERIOR DESIGN TILE INTERNATIONAL, SURFACES INTL & MATERIALICASA MAGAZINE

www.materialicasa.com

ADVERTORIAL

Duraway individual entry mat systems custom-made to order DURAL EXPANDS THE DURAWAY PRODUCT RANGE WITH HEAVY-DUTY VERSIONS The proven product range is

es: the self-supporting mat for

obtrusively

now being expanded with an

semi-public and public area

mat is installed either flush

exceptionally robust prod-

withstanding up to 12.5 tons

with ground level in prepared

uct: Duraway XTRA is espe-

per 100 square metres.

openings fitted with a 15 mil-

cially wide, flat and heavy-duty

integrated.

The

limetre high aluminium instal-

in addition.

Building the basis of the new

lation frame or exposed onto

Therefore, the new floor mat is

entry mats are 60-millimetre

the substrate. The entry mat

suitable even for heavily bur-

wide grooved aluminium profiles

system is custom-manufac-

dened and highly frequented

which are anti-slip as a result.

tured according to customer

areas of application like car

Depending on the need, the

specifications.

showrooms or airport terminals.

inserts consist of toothed PVC rubber strips to remove coarse

With Duraway XTRA, Dural of-

They prevent dirt in indoor and

dirt and drain moisture, and wa-

fers a heavy-duty yet visually

outdoor areas, withhold mois-

tertight polyamide fibre textile

appealing entry mat system

ture and provide a distinguished

strips to remove finer dirt. Each

for business facilities. It not

and representative look. En-

individual aluminium profile is

only provides planners and

try mats have a wide variety of

combined with an elastic pro-

architects with an easy choice

functions. To make sure these

file, allowing customers to roll

of product for highly frequent-

functions are guaranteed for the

up the mat for easy transport or

ed and heavily burdened are-

long-term, responsible planners

thorough cleaning.

as, but also offers easy han-

need to select the right products to match the place of use. Dur-

ing capacity, Duraway XTRA is very flat at only 14 millime-

Extra flat, extra wide and

for

tres and can therefore be un-

extra robust: Duraway XTRA

highly

XTRA,

to its intelligent design.

al has developed a solution

With

Duraway

dling after installation thanks In spite of its high load-bear-

burdened

surfac-

is suitable even for especially demanding and highly frequented areas of application, such as car showrooms or airport terminals.

DURAL GMBH Stefanie GĂśrtz, SĂźdring 11D-56412 RuppachGoldhausen T. +49 2602 9261-629, S.Goertz@dural.de www.dural.com

PHOTONEWS

COSA INTERESSANTE 2 sulla quale fare il focus bla cla jbeqfewfkg w feGEEGASCfbfd -jfhdekwjfewjbfekjf ejfemfnfenbfewjbfefmdf. kjqerffhvfmhfejhfkhf,nfejnfen jfjkhefkje

Surfaces INTL 1/20

PHOTONEWS

BORGONOVO, PIETRE D’ARREDO FOR “BORGO DEI CASTELLI ROMANI” In the stunning historical setting of Frascati - Rome (Italy), a magnificent residential complex is born: the Borgo dei Castelli Romani. The 2G Costruzioni Company has chosen Pietre d’Arredo to embellish over 8000 square meters of walls. Borgonovo is the model selected to recreate the spectacular masonry surrounding the countryside of Rome. Pietre d’Arredo, with its several models and combinations, has brought into the present the culture of stone and with it the tradition of building as well as the extraordinary skillful of the artisans sculpting and moulding the stone. Pietre d’Arredo is one of the few companies worldwide that implements autonomously all stages of the production chain, from the selection of the stone for the realization of dies and moulds, up to the production of the stone itself, of the adhesives, of the grouts and of all

the necessary complementary products. The innovative manufacturing technique allows for minimum waste and the accurate definition of surfaces makes it a perfect substitute for natural stone, limiting extraction from the quarry, thus respecting and protecting the environment. It protects the building enclosure from weather conditions and fortifies thermal insulation systems, thus improving living comfort. It also facilitates application because of its lightweight. The Pietre d’Arredo finishing elements accurately reproduce shapes and colours of natural materials, giving life to amazing and refined decorative opportunities and original architectural elements. Extremely versatile facings designed for indoor and outdoor use, creating a warm and cosy atmosphere that envelops and inspires you. Desires turn into matter, for lovers of all classical things and fans of the contemporary.

COSA INTERESSANTE 2 sulla quale fare il focus bla cla jbeqfewfkg w feGEEGASCfbfd -jfhdekwjfewjbfekjf ejfemfnfenbfewjbfefmdf. kjqerffhvfmhfejhfkhf,nfejnfen jfjkhefkje

Surfaces INTL 1/20

TRENDS

- COLORS & SURFACES WAITING FOR THE FUTURE Materials, colours and textures are the essential elements that set the style of surfaces. What mood can we expect for the near future? Materials are poised to catch the wave of trends to turn them into fresh, new inspirations. The architects Paola Azzolini and Paola Tinuper, the owners of the firm of the same name, which specializes in colour design, have presented a series of colour trend studies based on NCS®© (Natural Colour System) codes.

undated yellow

endless orange

The top four colours - amaranth wood, everlasting red, endless orange and updated yellow - are warm, inspired by natural materials and cut timelessly across different interior design trends. The project is based on a precise method for surveying colour trends across various sectors of industrial production. The photographs and poetics of Matteo Cirenei inspire and guide the surface de-

Surfaces INTL 1/20

WEAVING TIME

everlasting red

iconic purple

TEXTURING TIME

VEINING TIME

RIFLING TIME

3 sign of four timeless expressive worlds, each combined with a colour: • Rifling (amaranth wood), a recurrent geometric pattern from classical architecture: • Veining (everlasting red), an eternal organic pattern, borrowed from nature; • Weaving (endless orange), a pattern linked to human craft, which creates structure; • Texturing (antique gold), a biological pattern, and the

skin that covers all matter. The result is Timeless Surfaces: trends for surfaces that reinvent themselves in step with the new possibilities opened up by technology and unexpected combinations with other surfaces. Architecture thus guides this outline of trends, through an aesthetic project embracing timeless patterns, colours and materials. ✕

TRENDS

Chiara Bruzzichelli

1. RIFLING TIME “Light and matter. ‘Sundials’ is my longest, perhaps even an endless, project, because it represents a state of equilibrium in the form of an image, deliberately recreated even when it does not exist in reality. I use architecture because it enables me to step back from reality and recreate spatial figures that you can lose yourself in, as all meaning associated with place and environmental situation is erased. I let my emotions flow by channelling them into plays of light and form. It’s a very intimate task, which goes well beyond representing architectural details. I could do the same thing with rocks or other natural elements, but the world of design fascinates me, and it’s always challenge and a tribute at the same time, because I nearly always use buildings designed by masters of modern architecture or very well-known contemporary buildings.” Matteo Cirenei, photographer

SAN GALGANO (SIENA) THE HERMITAGE OF MONTESIEPI - THE SWORD IN THE STONE

The Rotonda di Monte Siepi is a circular chapel that houses and safeguards the famous sword in the stone. It was built after the death of Galgano, who, being redeemed after a dissolute life, spent his final years here in prayer. The dome is made up of concentric circles and alludes to pagan symbolism, because it has a circular footprint like the ancient temples. The building has always been strongly linked to the Knight Templars and this is why it is still thought, even today, to be one of the possible hiding places of the Holy Grail. The church is built on a hill and tests have shown that there is an empty chamber in the floor beneath it, but permission to excavate it has never been given. So what that chamber may contain remains a mystery to this day.

Microlinee concentriche

INSIGHT replica di righe differenziate con ritmi diversi fino a creare effetti uniti vibranti

photo::: https://confraternita-sangalgano.it photo:

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TRENDS

2. VENING TIME “Sundials mark the passage of time with the shadow they cast on the surface of the substance they are set in. In the same way, architectural works leave their mark on the space we move around in: they are not only places to live in, they are aesthetic objects. This is what I have sought from architecture. The emotion that springs from the multiple plays of light that a solid form is capable of generating at any given moment in the day. It’s as if the world stopped for a moment, and in deepest silence, these buildings revealed something of themselves, something different each time, with an ephemeral aesthetic, that I have to find as I explore space and time. The light, which is sometimes blindingly bright, accentuates the details and the material, while shadows serve as a counterpoint, and sustain the new life that the photographic image manages to grasp from the physical reality of the building. Photography thus gives architecture the properties of a crystal, by recreating a balance of forms that can only be generated by interaction with light, and this momentary, purely aesthetic, ecstasy is, if you like, a snapshot.” Matteo Cirenei, photographer

2 SPERIMENTAZIONE deposizione di ossidi per creare effetti di profondità diversa

Macrovena liquida

PALAZZO DELLA CIVILTÀ ITALIANA, ROME The Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, also known as the Palazzo della Civiltà del Lavoro or simply the Colosseo Quadrato (the Square Colosseum), is one of the emblems of the EUR district of Rome and one of the architectural icons of 20th century Rationalist Architecture. It was built as part of the Rome Universal Exhibition in 1942 (whose Italian initials – Esposizione Universale di Roma – gave the district its name). What strikes you as you move through the interior, are not only the passages through spaces that expand in width and height, but also the types of stone laid as floor coverings, especially the infinitely veined book-matched marble. This creates patterns and shapes that are reminiscent of Japanese art one moment and Cubist art the next. These priceless, irreplaceable designs that nature creates with the colours and vein patterns of marble are then crafted by human hands to generate feelings at every corner and on every surface of the interior.

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photo::: www.turismoroma.it photo:

TRENDS

3. WEAVING TIME “My research into the work of Pier Luigi Nervi was prompted by the sense of electric shock that ran through me as I looked at photographs of the time, showing the work of the great structural engineer, and by the realization that many of his most important works now lie semi-abandoned. The works he designed and built are a unique example of the technical solutions he conceived in the field of structural architecture as an expression of modernity – hence my idea of documenting them not only descriptively, but also by interpreting the special aesthetics spawned by his pioneering, through graphic images." Matteo Cirenei, photographer

INSIGHT lavorazione della superficie per creare effetti simulati di fibre intrecciate di natura diversa

Intreccio trasparente

photo::: https://www.ecns.cn/ photo:

BEIJING DAXING INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BY ZHAHA HADID Operating since the end of September 2019, Beijing Daxing International Airport consists of a central body with six branches diverging from it: five of these accommodate the boarding areas, while the sixth connects the terminal to the outdoor area. It is a multi-storey building in which the colour white and the natural light that comes in through the countless, immense glass panels are the real masters of this architectural work. Zaha Hadid’s unmistakable style is also plain to see in this design, with its abundance of smooth curves and interweaving elements. If you look hard at the structure, you get the impression that the metal used to build its skeleton suddenly turns into liquid and starts flowing from the central body towards the furthest parts of the periphery, in an endlessly elegant movement.

photo::: https://image.architonic.com/ photo:

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TRENDS

4. TEXTURING TIME “What you notice about the creation of my images is the slowness of the gaze. It’s an approach to photography in which the bulkiness of the equipment and the sequence of mechanical operations that are typical of large-format camera equipment has a major influence on the reading of space, which I internalize, as a photographer, before committing the image to film with the final shot. Using the tripod is a must, as are the long exposures due to the small iris aperture and the use of very low-sensitivity films to get really clear negatives, which can be enlarged a lot: the majesty of the photographed architectures is best expressed with extra large prints, where the details of the structural forms and the textures of the materials come out in all their beauty.” Matteo Cirenei, photographer

INSIGHT sovrapposizione di texture in spessore a pattern stampato per creare effetti tridimensionali di diversa trasparenza

Deep texture

photo::: https://upload.wikimedia.org/ photo:

THE HONEYCOMB ARCHITECTURE OF THE VESSEL, NYC In Hudson Yards, which runs from Chelsea to Hell’s Kitchen, in the west of Manhattan, The Vessel - a 46 metre honeycomb tower designed by London-based Heatherwick Studio - was officially inaugurated in March 2019. This gigantic “interactive” piece of architecture, designed to be climbed and explored, with its 154 flights of connecting stairs and nearly 2,500 individual passageways on 80 levels, offers a whole kilometre of elevated walkways, overlooking the public garden. The result is a new way to experience New York City and admire its futuristic skyline. The architecture is composed entirely of stairs, with a steel, bronze and concrete frame, coated with copper-coloured paint. photo::: https photo: https:://www.hudsonyardsnewyork.com/

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Fresh TALKS

Sabrina Tassini

OR.NAMI: ECLECTICISM ON WALLPAPER Based in Reggio Emilia (Italy), Or.nami is a specialist designer and manufacturer of contemporary wallpaper. Since making its official début at Paris Design Week in September 2018, the company has been using wallpaper as a medium for creating mural artworks that amount to infinitely more than just wallpaper. Passionately committed to enhancing residential and contract environments, it creates distinctive personalized patterns, imaginative colours and subtle lines to accommodate every need. We met Gabriella Fusillo, the brand’s Creative Director, to delve deeper into the eclectic universe of Or.nami and explore it through the eyes of its founder.

Gabriella Fusillo

SURFACES INTL: The name ‘Or.nami’ makes a statement that

It’s the judge that determines juxtapositions, perceptions, tints, gradations and contrasts. That’s why I decided to work with the NCS method right from the start. Every single colour is coded and the colour combinations are the result of a perfect blend of personal taste and objective system. Or.nami also stands out for the top-quality substrates, printing method and “raw materials” it uses, which are invariably of very high resolution so as to obtain an impeccably defined printed design. SURFACES INTL: From dreamlike scenes to geometric prints, via foliage motifs in multiple forms, Or.nami wallpapers seem to have no stylistic limits. What is your main source of inspiration? What is the starting point for the brand’s collections? G. FUSILLO: I see myself as a free person, I don’t always follow the trends and fashions of the moment. I try to transfer what you might call “the guidelines” into different contexts, which might be more classical or far-removed from the common vision of the present.

clearly describes the brand’s mission: could you tell us a bit more about the concept behind it? GABRIELLA FUSILLO: Or.nami is a project. It springs from passion and the desire to bring something beautiful and creative into the world. It springs from the experience we’ve built up over many years, from research and from the continuous study that lies at the root of every single graphic that we conceive, design and produce. The name ‘Or.nami’ derives from the now distant, constructed language known as Esperanto. The word means ‘to decorate’ and that is exactly what I try to do every day through my designs. SURFACES INTL: How do you intend to differentiate yourselves in the interior coverings market? G. FUSILLO: Every single graphic is the result of careful study, where colour is king. And while colour might be an adornment for many people, for me it’s the essence. It’s the vital element.

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Fresh TALKS

sales channels do you focus on? G. FUSILLO: Or.nami creates graphic designs but it welcomes synergies with architecture firms and designers too. The creative group liaises a lot with professionals, who get in touch with us to create a mood and put together a “programme” that does not stop with the choice of graphics, but goes well beyond that. So it becomes a single team that deploys its skills for a single

I don’t have any specific source of inspiration, but I’m extremely curious, I keep myself up to date by doing research, and I travel when I can. And I also love combining different trends: it’s an approach that always yields spectacular results with powerful graphic impact. SURFACES INTL: What is your primary target market and which

The name ‘Or.nami’ derives from the now distant, constructed language known as Esperanto. The word means ‘to decorate’ and that is exactly what I try to do every day through my designs.

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Fresh TALKS

purpose, namely to study ideas together and work on specific projects. Obviously Or.nami also has an extensive traditional sales network, both nationally and internationally, and our work can be seen in lots of stores, boutiques and showrooms. SURFACES INTL: What types of wallpaper are most in demand at the moment? And what differences are there between the residential and contract segments? G. FUSILLO: The residential segment comes to us for the unique care we provide. This is a very demanding clientele, who insist on quality and are receptive to proposals from us. They have a preference for custom projects, which start from a specially drawn sketch and go onto encompass a colour study. The contract segment is equally demanding but always works to a budget. So what we do for this segment is different. The graphics we work on can be customized but the design almost always involves repeatability of the subject. The two segments are very different, but both are very interesting and very rewarding on the creative front. SURFACES INTL: Wallpaper has seen a lot of ups and downs since the 1970s: it was once an essential feature of home interiors, before sinking into a long period of dormancy.

What has caused this renewed interest in wallpaper and how do you think it might stay in vogue in the years to come? G. FUSILLO: After a period of total minimalism, when less is more was the order of the day, wallpaper is enjoying newfound popularity. This is because there’s a growing appetite for colour and because people want to start decorating their living space again and personalize it from every point of view. Wallpaper is going through one of its most beautiful and significant moments. It’s no longer just seen as a wall covering, it’s now nothing less than a design icon and all-round decorative medium. And like all interior finishings, its fundamental role is to interact with all the other design features. The way in which furniture and finishings interact speaks volumes about the people who choose them and the atmosphere they love most. And it’s because of this expressive power that I think wallpaper will remain a key interior design trend for a long time to come. URFACES INTL: Made-to-measure solutions and customization are becoming more and more dominant in the world of interior design and are taking market share away from mass production: how does this concept translate into your business? G. FUSILLO: Like in the fashion industry, there’s a growing need

The technological innovations that have affected the industry have also opened us up to many more fields of application. So wallpaper has been released from the traditional confines of living-room and bedroom walls and found its way into wet environments such as bathrooms too, thanks to fibreglass backings.

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Wallpaper is going through one of its most beautiful and significant moments. It’s no longer just seen as a wall covering, it’s now nothing less than a design icon and all-round decorative medium.

for personalization as a response to the massification of taste caused by globalization. People want things they feel are their own, not things they feel have been imposed on them from the outside, especially in their homes and in what they wear. Or.nami offers various technical substrates on which to print. This means that customers not only get designs tailored to their needs, but can also choose from a wide range of substrates for printing the finished product. Digital printing has obviously had a big effect on this process, and has opened the doors to increasingly made-to-measure wallpapers. Whereas printing used to be done by traditional series production, customization systems have made it easier than ever to produce tailor-made wallpaper that opens up unprecedented scope for creative design. The technological innovations that have affected the industry

have also opened us up to many more fields of application. So wallpaper has been released from the traditional confines of living-room and bedroom walls and found its way into wet environments such as bathrooms too, thanks to fibreglass backings. In fact, it has spread into entire interior design schemes, resulting in a host of much more imaginative compositions. SURFACES INTL: What new developments do you have in store for autumn winter 20/21 and what are your goals for the near future? G. FUSILLO: We’ll be launching a new capsule collection in December, and soon after that, in April 2021, we’ll be one of the exhibitors taking part in a show-installation in Brera as part of the Fuorisalone. We’re actually working on a whole range of new creative projects at the moment, but that’s all I’m willing to say about them for now! ✕

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PHOTONEWS

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PHOTONEWS

THE FOUNDER’S OFFICE, ABU DHABI Abu Dhabi, a modern metropolis located on an island in the south-east of the Persian Gulf, just off the mainland of the Arabian Peninsula, is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the country’s centre of government and administrative operations. The Founder’s Office takes its name from Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates, the driving force behind the country’s formation and its president until his death in 2004. It was built to house the department tasked with organizing the celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Sheikh’s birth. The Sheikh was always known as an enlightened president, so the office, designed by the Bluehaus Group, was designed to uphold the values of wisdom, respect, determination, loyalty, sense of national belonging and self-sacrifice that Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had shown during the ye-

ars of his presidency. The interior is a large open space, whose sandy-coloured decor brings to mind the colours of the nearby desert. Even the corridor wall features a long sand-filled glass panel, which evokes the appeal of the dunes that lead visitors to the main hall. The warm tones and natural materials alternate with grey, minimalist furniture, which brings a contemporary touch to the overall effect. The ceilings were created using the ancient Bedouin “Al Sedu” hand-weaving technique, which is listed by UNESCO as an expression of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The real stand-out feature of the office, however, is its reception area: behind the large countertop, made of a giant stone from the nearby Jabal Hafeet mountain, the spotlights that make up the wall lighting are arranged to represent the constellation that adorned the sky on the night of the Sheikh’s birth.

Material: To punctuate the extensive shelving, woven ceilings and other furnishing complements, the designers needed a neutral surface that would connect the spaces and maintain this warm, velvety effect: so they chose Microtopping®, a cement-based polymer coating by Ideal Work®, which creates a contemporary environment with high visual impact, in a thickness of just 3mm. Since the solution can also be used on vertical surfaces, the designers used Microtopping® as a wall covering in the corridor, to complement the warm colour of the sand. Deployed in a neutral tone, Microtopping® is the perfect match for natural materials, such as wood or rope, and elegantly enhances a limitless range of furnishing complements and accessories.

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PROJECTS

CASA BURES , BARCELONA : TRANSFORMATION AND CONSERVATION

H E TRANS FOR MAT ION OF A H I STO R ICA L AND LIST ED 1 9 T H C E N TURY BUILDING OF BAR C E LO N A I N TO 26 EXC LUS IVE R ES IDENCES O F T H E 21 ST C E N TU RY WIT H HIGH- QUAL I TY CO M MO N ARE A S , WHILE PR ES ERVI N G I TS O R I GI N AL RICH HER ITAGE . I N T E RI O R D E SIGN PROJECT BY ESTUDI O VI L ABL ANC H + T DB ARQU ITECTU R A .

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THE BUILDING Casa Burés was built between 1900 and 1905 by the Catalan architect Francesc Berenguer i Mestres, a close collaborator of Antoni Gaudí. The building was named after its first owner, Francesc Burés, a businessman with one of Spain's most successful textile companies. The building has 7.700 square meters distri-

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Photo credit: Jordi Folch & Jose Hevia

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buted over six floors and is listed since 1979, enjoying the highest protection category as cultural heritage. The building was nearly abandoned for some years and some original elements were vandalized. After three years of a careful restoration work by the best artisans, Casa BurĂŠs has emerged as one of the most representative Modernist-style buildings in Barcelona. The modernist architectural and interior original elements were respected and restored because of both regulatory requirements and a high sensibility of all the stakeholders: developer, city authorities, project team, and the artisans and restoration experts involved in the works.

ces with rich original elements. The conceptualization included design and definition of materials and finishes (pavements, coatings, colors, kitchens, bathrooms, doors, lighting project, furniture, etc). LOFTS AND COMMON AREAS The ground floor and the basement were originally used for BurĂŠs textile industry. They did not have a modernist decoration, but a strong industrial personality. The new interior concept recovered this industrial character: big open spaces with high ceilings, concrete floors, iron columns and old brick walls were left uncovered, kitchens and furniture that strengthen the industrial character. The ground floor was transformed into three lofts and the basement into amenity areas for community use (a swimming pool, a spa, a gym, a cellar, an open kitchen, a terrace, spaces for social events), recovering their original industrial aesthetics. Palatial residences The original BurĂŠs palacelike residence, located on the main floor, was split into two 500 square meters magnificent flats. Being the richest floor in terms of decorative modernist elements, all of them were carefully restored into the noblest flats (mosaics and marquetry in pavements, stained-glass windows, frescoed walls and ceilings, wooden decorative elements, ceilings with reliefs). The original elements were restored, while new materials were added when needed. The new materials and furniture pieces were equally refined but silent, not very ornate, light and with colors in harmony with the space, in order to highlight the valuable historic elemen-

INTERIOR DESIGN The interior design project had two goals: to recover and highlight the building's original decorative elements, and to adapt the housing to contemporary regulatory and functional needs in terms of distribution, technology, safety, accessibility, comfort and community. There was a key and strict strategy: all the original architectural and decorative existing elements were restored, while new materials were added when needed. The new materials should not compete nor imitate the original ones. The team defined three interior design concepts for this residential building matching the intrinsic qualities of each existing space: three lofts and the basement common areas recovered their original industrial character; two palatial residences were carefully restored respecting the existing modernist elements, and 21 flats were conceived as contemporary residen-

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PROJECTS

ts and not compete neither imitate them, facilitating a silent integration in the space.

in the spaces located in the crown of the building that faces the façade; these original elements were restored. In the interior areas of the flats, where the original elements didn't exist or couldn’t be preserved, the decision was to incorporate new materials that would allow the contrast between old and new ones: white color and oak wood were added as main elements in order not to compete, but to highlight and contrast the original decorative elements. ✕

APARTMENTS & ATTICS Flats located in the upper floors, originally conceived for rent, were transformed into 16 apartments and 5 attics. These 21 residences combine strong original modernist spaces with more contemporary ones. The old elements were found

ESTUDIO VILABLANCH & TDB ARQUITECTURA Estudio Vilablanch • Vilablanch is an interior design studio founded by architect Elina Vilá and interior designer Agnès Blanch in 1999 in Barcelona. Since then, the studio has carried out a broad range of interior architecture projects for residential, commercial and offices, for both spaces of great heritage value and spaces of new construction. Over 20 years, Vilablanch has been consolidating its reputation as a reference interior design studio, featured in the media on numerous occasions and participating in competitions, conferences and a variety of other events. Leading companies have placed their trust in the vilablanch team, such as Sony, Grupo Puig, Gallina Blanca, Mediapro, Álvaro Palacios, Solvia or Bonavista Development, just to name a few. One of its most prestigious residential projects is Casa Burés in Barcelona, which has received numerous national and international awards and recognitions. TDB Arquitectura • The architect Juan Trias de Bes opened the professional studio TDB Arquitectura in Barcelona in 1992. He is the architect of such institutional works as the University Hall of Residence in Sarriá (Barcelona), the headquarters of the Academy of Medical Science of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, the central office of Grífols Laboratories, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in conjunction with Carlos Ferrater in the Paseo de Gracia (Barcelona), the Sant Cugat campus of ESADE University and the new Translational Surgery Research Center, among others.

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PROJECTS

SOUTH AFRICA : COSENTINO SURFACES AT THE LEONARDO

H E L EONARDO IS A FUTURI STI C SKYSC RA PER LOCATED IN TH E R I C H SUBURB OF S A NDTON, T HE N EW B U SI N E SS C E NT ER OF JOHA NNES B UR G T H AT ALSO HOU S ES T HE L ARGEST EXH AN GE O N T HE AFRICAN CONT INENT. WITH I TS 55 F LOO RS , 234 MET ERS HIGH , I T I S CU R RE NTLY THE TA LLEST BUILDI N G I N S O UTH AF RICA , EXCEEDING THE PR EVI O US R ECORD HO L DER (THE CA R LTON C E N TR E ) BY E L EVE N M ET ERS .

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The construction started on November 17, 2015 and, according to the original design, the tower was intended to reach a total height of 150 meters. Currently the building is for mixed use: 232 apartments and 8 luxury penthouses occupy the first 41 floors, while on the following 11 there are commercial offices. The last three levels of the building host a 2,100 square meter penthouse with a total view of the city, marketed for 180 million Rand (about $ 9.6 million), a figure that ma-

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kes it the most expensive property on the real estate market in South Africa. With a total investment of 2 billion rand (about $ 107 million), the building includes also four levels of underground parking, a large conference center with 9 meeting rooms, a spa with pool, several food services and shops at street level. As part of the prestigious architectural project, Gruppo Cosentino has provided its innovative materials Dekton® and Silestone® for the different internal and external environments of the tower. In particular, 30.000sqm of the ultra-compact Dekton® surface were used to cover the large ventilated facade, chosen in the 8mm thickness and in the light and elegant Gada shades, part of the Natural Collection that evokes the typical quartzite combination, with its satin and limestone finishes. The high resistance to UV rays, thermal shocks, scratches and stains, as well as the excellent low porosity, dimensional and chromatic stability, make Dekton® the perfect solution for complex architectural contexts such as the Leonardo, which required the material fixing on a Curtain Wall. A skilful mix of Silestone® quartz, in different colors and thicknesses, was used for the coating of the lobby on the ground floor and of various elements of the skyscraper’s internal areas such as columns, kitchen tops, bathroom tops and bar counters, giving it a high stain resistance and a final aesthetic result of great impact. ✕

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THE LEONARDO: • • • • • •

Construction period: 2015 - 2019 Customer: Legacy Group Location: 75 Maude Street, Sandton - Johannesburg (South Africa) Architecture & Interior Design: Co-Arc International Architects Structural Design: Arup Cosentino materials used: Dekton® Gada (on the facade), Silestone® Blanco Orion, Silestone® Cemento Spa, Silestone® White Storm, Silestone® Eternal Emperador, Silestone® Eternal Statuario, Silestone® Eternal Pearl Jasmin • Thickness: 8, 12, 20 and 30 mm

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A HISTORIC RESIDENCE IN MONTREAL

H E MAIN INTENTION OF THE MAI SO N AVE COURCELET T E PROJECT, LOCATED IN T HE OUT R EMON T B O R OUG H IN THE HEA RT OF MON TR E AL A N D CURATE D BY THE YOU NG FIRM SAL E M A R CHI TECTUR E , WAS TO IMPROVE TH E R E L ATI O N SHI P OF T HE INT ERIOR SPAC E S WI T H TH E L ARGE EXT ERIOR COU RTYAR D WH I LE H I GH L IGHTING ELEMENTS DATI N G F R O M TH E O R IGINAL CONSTRU CTI O N .

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The living space has been generously opened to the outside so that the kitchen can be extended under a new canopy on the rear facade facing south. This canopy has a dual function as it reduces solar gain in summer while allowing occupants to enjoy a covered space. The new openings in the existing walls allow natural light to also diffuse into the central space of the house. The fluidity of the ground floor plan is enhan-

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Photo credit: Phil Bernard

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ced by this light as well as by the sculptural articulation of the staircase in the center of the residence. The landscaping, in separate areas, offers owners the opportunity to enjoy the backyard while having a variety of experiences and atmospheres. An exterior sunken living room, covered with a retractable awning, allows the family to enjoy a warm space and offers a different perspective on the courtyard and on the many mature trees around the perimeter of the site. ENHANCEMENT OF ORIGINAL ELEMENTS AND MATERIALS The architect, Jad Salem, along with the owner, paid particular attention to ensuring that the transformation of the residence was respectful of its original character. Thus, each intervention has been done in such a way as to highlight certain details dating from the initial construction of the house, in 1947. The new arched openings follow the same configurations as the existing ones. The railing of the central staircase has been treated in a minimalist way in order to direct attention to the curves around the staircase as well as the rounded openings in the ceiling. The original wood floor, which incorporated careful details, has been maintained in some rooms and a precise arrangement of the colors of the new floor ensures a harmonization between the new and the existing finish. The new cladding, on a portion of the rear facade, is soberly juxtaposed to the original stone of the house, using fine wooden elements laid vertically. These same elements are used to serve as an openwork sidewall to offer privacy from neighbors while allowing light and vegetation to filter through. The stones of the facade, which were replaced by the new sliding glass doors, were also kept so that they could be installed in a possible extension of the house. â&#x153;&#x2022;

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OTHER MATERIAL SURFACES MIX

-NEW MATERIC SOLUTIONS-

FOR INTERIORS & ARCHITECTURE

New floor and wall covering solutions make up the current design panorama with their unconventional and highly creative character, ready to define all different atmospheres and meet the project requirements of today and the future. From vinyl to resin, from parquet to carpet through mosaics, metals, wallpaper and cork: here is a rich variety of surfaces to compose and complete domestic, commercial and HoReCa interiors.

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TILE ITALIA 1/2019 MATERIAL MATERIAL MIX MIX

SPAZIOCONTINUO BY LITOKOL SPAZIOCONTINUO: excellent wear resistance, low maintenance and minimal thickness, so that you can renovate interiors without costly, radical building works. The thickness is just 2mm for overlaid application, and the resin-coated surface is uniform and homogeneous. The resin is water-repellent, suitable for use with underfloor heating and offers endless scope for customization thanks to a range of over 2000 NCS and RAL colours. Applicators benefit too, from the productâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ease of use and short cycle times. Spaziocontinuo comprises two flooring lines, SpazioCemento and SpazioResina, which can also be used on walls, and two specific wall covering lines: SpazioChiaroscuro and SpazioMetallo, which offer infinite freedom for imagination and creativity.

SpazioMetallo SpazioResina

SpazioCemento

XXX xxxx

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MATERIAL MIX

KREOO MARBLE FOLIUM is the first decoration of the SIGNUM collection designed by Sebastiano Zilio, which reinterprets the use of travertine in the interior design world in a graphic key, in all its different shades. A new dimension of use for this natural stone, used since the time of the ancient Romans, played on the elegance and sobriety of the material, expressing a balanced concept of ancient and natural luxury at both sight and touch. In Folium, the organic detail of the plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world shapes the stone and becomes a decorative element. Through the engraving, the architectural elements that make up the structure and the rib of the leaves are enhanced and imprinted: pure, stylized, non-invasive signs that dialogue with the texture and natural colors of travertine. The textures STONE CITY and ZEN designed by Marco Piva for Kreoo are born from the incessant search for new possible interpretations of marble. Stone City is a texture evoking the skyline of a metropolis, represented with spatial simplicity and volumetric rigor, in a figurative urban grid of stone, with a playful contrast between different depths and heights. Zen's lines are a celebration of the sinuosity of nature, the softness of the sea waves or the dunes of a desert of sand, an asymmetrical fluidity that instills a feeling of calm tranquility and connection to the earth. A refined modulation enhanced by the processing of the material at different depths, with a play of reliefs that interacts with the veined textures of natural marble.

BESANA CARPET LAB PRESENTS "BLEND" Besana Carpet Lab, Italian leader in textile flooring, presents the new BLEND collection. Blend represents functionality, design and uniqueness. Traditional in manufacturing, and contemporary in design, Blend, abstract yet narrative, seduces and captures as if it were painted. The products are made with quality yarns and capable of creating unique shades and hues with multiple colors, making each piece unique. The rugs are made exclusively to measure, according to the dimensions requested by the customer. All items guarantee fireproof and the absence of harmful emissions because of the organic components of the materials used. The Blend collection is designed for both the residential environment and the contract sector, in fact responding to the different needs of each customer: strong resistance, high quality, large quantities and customization possibilities.

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ORIGINAL PARQUET ASEPTICA® ASEPTICA® is a revolutionary product specially designed to take care of people’s health with its effective, long-lasting coating, which reduces bacterial load by up to 99.9% on the surface of the brand’s wood flooring, made exclusively in Italy. The ASEPTICA® coating is suitable for use in small, medium and large private houses, as well as in public buildings and hotels. It protects the flooring without changing the latter’s appearance or the characteristics of its finishes in any way, including its colour stability and resistance to the action of chemical and mechanical agents. Original Parquet has chosen to use this new, certified, anti-bacterial finish on all variants of its CORPORATE line at no additional cost, so as to ensure safety and hygiene, while remaining in line with customers’ needs at this difficult time.

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LINKFLOOR: THE NEW VINYL FLOORING BY PORCELANOSA PORCELANOSA Group launches an advanced vinyl flooring on the market, which is highly abrasion and shock resistant, unalterable to the effects of water, chemicals and stains. LINKFLOOR - this is the name of the new product - offers a good choice for interior renovations, for its easy laying too. Regarding its style, the design increases the lightness of walls and floors thanks to the woven look and the warm colors based on wood, stone or texture. On the practical side, the resistance and the versatility of its design allows the installation in both indoor and outdoor spaces. 13 collections to cover floors and walls of hotels, offices, restaurants, kitchens, bathrooms or bedrooms. It can be installed as a wall covering (Contract or Wall Contract), or as a floor (Roll Contract, Empire or Hotel Air) in a â&#x20AC;&#x153;floatingâ&#x20AC;? way by using the Lock system or by gluing. Its formats include both planks and rolls, which can be used as floors or to cover interior areas of contract or residential projects. Vinyl flooring is generally a type of flooring characterized by an internal layer of polymer, which usually combines polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with another natural material such as stone or wood. Wood and plastic compounds are known as WPC, while stone and plastic compounds are SPC. Pure PVC is usually known as LVT (luxury vinyl flooring). Various types of surfaces that give Linkfloor its look cover the inner layers of polymer. They are usually covered with textile fabric or decorative paper to imitate the appearance of stone or wood. The wear layer of the vinyl floor is made of transparent PVC. During the manufacturing process, a UV treatment is applied to the wear layer to improve its resistance to abrasion, scratches, stains and bacteria.

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NEW ORVI GLASS SURFACES Orvi presents the BRISÉ collection, rooted in age-old glass-making traditions from central India. Large sheets of coloured glass are broken into small pieces, then diligently reassembled, section by tiny section, for an overall effect that recalls the glass-tiled mosaics of Europe’s medieval churches and cathedrals. Belying the precise composition and skilled craftsmanship required to create these shimmering surfaces, the resulting patterns seem almost organic in structure. From single colour designs to tone-on-tone and multi-coloured collages, each one shines with understated elegance, embellishing any space with an iridescent, kaleidoscopic quality.

BERRYALLOC LAUNCHES NEW WATERPROOF LAMINATE FLOORBOARDS ETERNITY LONG is BerryAlloc’s latest collection of laminate flooring for residential and commercial environments. The range has a deep texture that replicates natural wood, complete with cracks, knots and grain patterns, and is also quick to install and easy to look after. Available in a long floorboard format - 2038x190x12mm Eternity Long has a class 33-AC5 wear resistance rating and offers all the benefits of a natural wood floor with none of the downsides: it is resistant to scratching, wear, impacts from dropped objects and heavy foot traffic. The technical performance of this laminate flooring collection is further enhanced by patented HYDROPLUS® TECHNOLOGY, which gives the floorboards a special, fully waterproof coating. This upgrades their final performance and makes them suitable for installation even in kitchens and bathrooms, without any risk of water penetration.

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BISAZZA: A NEW MOSAIC LINE IN COLLABORATION WITH FORNASETTI BISAZZA presents a new mosaic collection created interpreting FORNASETTI'S creative language and collaborating with the Milanese Atelier, internationally recognized for its unique decorative style. The encounter between these two excellences of the Italian design originated four mosaic patterns, decomposed and recomposed, experimenting with new surfaces, wide proportions and unusual light reflections. Thanks to the collaboration between Fornasetti and Bisazza, both the brilliance and transparency of glass mosaic tiles and the refined combination of sixty shades of color restored and enhanced the “Fornasettian” uniqueness. The decorations (ORTENSIA, BOCCA, SERRATURA, SOLI a CAPRI), for the first time made in large formats, impetuously join any living space, transforming it into a unique environment with strong personality. Specifically, the patterns reproduce some of the most iconic figures of Fornasetti universe: the mouth, the mesmerizing gaze portrayed behind a keyhole, the enigmatic and refined face of the muse of Piero Fornasetti; the opera singer Lina Cavalieri who, in the decoration Ortensia, timidly seems to emerge from an explosion of pink and blue petals. In the decoration Soli a Capri, a set of radiant suns, which ironically portray the face of Piero Fornasetti, illuminate a background in blue or gray shades.

DVNE® SUSTAINABLE ALUMINIUM The DVNE® L.A.T. - LUXURY ALUMINUM TILES COLLECTION originates from DVNE® aluminium alloy. Belonging to the 5000 Peraluman group, this is one of the highest-quality alloys on the market, which owes its uniquely iridescent, textured surface to its exceptional purity. Unlike most alloys on the market, DVNE® is smelted using hydroelectric power: this is a conscious, environmental choice, consistent with our commitment to making DVNE® 100% recyclable. From decorative walls for offices, homes, cultural spaces and hospitality venues, to façades and outdoor coverings, DVNE® is eclectic, lightweight, slim-gauge and outstandingly versatile in terms of both installation and applications. Like in a work of art, designers who use DVNE® L.A.T. - Luxury Aluminum Tiles can make formats and colours interact in constantly unique and differing ways, giving rise to dedicated patterns and coverings, especially, but not only, in largescale projects of broad scope. DVNE® comes in 16 colour variants and two choices of finish: gloss, identified by the suffix B, and matt, with the suffix ARC.

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TILE ITALIA 1/2019 MATERIAL MIX

ISOPLAM® PRESENTS SKYCONCRETE®, THE LOWTHICKNESS CONCRETE FLOOR The industrial mood has now established itself as a true contemporary classic. Among the materials of this trend, there are certainly the low-thickness cements, which ensure higher strength and durability performances than resins do. SKYCONCRETE®, the continuoussurface concrete floor, is an important innovation. As a recent result of the research and development of Isoplam, a Trevisobased company with over 40 years of experience and internationally well-established, Skyconcrete® can be used for internal or external flooring with only 4 millimeters of thickness, combining excellent resistance properties, industrial style and wide customization potentials with 36 different color versions. Skyconcrete® is good for every type of environment, but in medium and high traffic contexts the combination of aesthetics and toughness of the new creative cement Isoplam can be extremely useful. The tests carried out during the research and development stage demonstrate indeed excellent resistance to mechanical stress from compression, bending and wear, besides good thermal resistance and water repellency. The performance of the material is confirmed by a choice made by the important interior design company Gaber: Skyconcrete® covered over 1000 square meters of its new showroom in the province of Treviso and 500 square meters of offices. Isoplam® cloudy effect lent an industrial style to the spaces and met the need to move freely objects and pieces of furniture without ruining the surface.

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CEMENTORESINA BY KERAKOLL It is now possible to renovate floor and wall coverings without recourse to invasive demolition and reconstruction work, because there is a new solution, just a few millimetres thick, for laying a new covering over an old one. CEMENTORESINA is an innovative material developed by Kerakoll Greenlab laboratories, which yields a surface that has unrivalled durability compared with other low-thickness continuous floor coverings. Cementoresina is suitable for indoor applications (floors, stairs, spas, Turkish baths and shower trays), for every room in the house and for commercial environments subject to heavy foot traffic, thanks to its superior impact resistance. The texture of Cementoresina offers high aesthetic quality, featuring wrinkles, chromatic marbling and undulations that derive from the imperfections of a handcrafted product. It is deeply textured and refracts the light in striking ways that redefine the style and design of interiors, creating an elegantly evocative atmosphere. Cementoresina has a warm, soft finish that is silky to the touch. Cementoresina is available in the 10 exclusive, sophisticated colours of the Warm collection. These tread an elegant path all the way from white to black, via rich neutrals and natural tones, where each colour has its own distinct identity but gains an even deeper complexity when combined with other colours in the range.

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NESITE PRESENTS CORK RAISED FLOOR For its extraction it is not necessary to cut down any tree, its environmental impact is zero and it has excellent mechanical and physical characteristics: CORK is a material historically linked to the world of design, thanks also to its "green" orientation. Nesite, an Italian company specializing in the production of raised floors, reinterprets it today for interior finishes, presenting a collection of cork surfaces in twenty different finishes, also customizable. Cork is available in several sizes and with a thickness of 4 or 5 mm. Thanks to the honeycomb structure, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s able to absorb sound waves (over 50% more than the laminate) and improve the acoustic comfort of the rooms. Comfortable to walk on, cork does not attract dust (it is antistatic) and is waterproof, with excellent response even to chemical agents.

DEL SAVIO 1910: THE NEW PALLADIAN FLOORING Del Savio 1910 reinterprets a centuries-old artisanal tradition, the PALLADIAN FLOORING which originated in the northeast area of Italy, to hybridise it for the global market. This project, lead under the art direction of the Zanellato/Bortotto studio, aims to celebrate and reaffirm the uniqueness, the authenticity, and the value of craftmanship. As the creative directors of the project, the duo Zanellato/ Bortotto decides to involve two other studios in the project. Mae Engelgeer is a Dutch textile designer, and David/Nicolas is a Lebanese interior and art design studio. These diverse approaches enrich our creative perspective and emphasise the countless virtues of marble, together with its versatility. These collaborations gave birth to nine collections, three by each designer, which make use of ten different types of marble. All materials are Italian, and the tradition of some of them is deeply rooted in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, such in the cases of the Grigio Carnico and the Fior di Pesco Carnico. All these natural stones are produced and worked in Pordenone, in the headquarter of the Del Savio company. The slabs of the collection, characterised by thinness and lightness, could be customised to obtain versatile and personalised products. The ten marbles could be also combined to just as many types of cement, to realise a wide range of patterns.

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THE NEW WALLPEPPER WALLPAPERS FOR AUTUMN WallPepper® Group presents the new wallpaper collections designed to warm domestic and commercial environments during Autumn 2020. Among these, AMBIENTE, KRONOS and LEVANTE stand out: nature, the Orient and past eras inspire them. AMBIENTE is a collection of graphics evoking the beauties of nature, its elements and its ‘inhabitants’. A succession of images expressing seasons, suggestive landscapes, exotic and ancient places made of colors, plants and flowers with a unique charm. KRONOS is a ‘history’ bringing on walls the fascination of the past. This is a timeless, sensitive and exciting collection to experiment special combinations and create intriguing contrasts with contemporary furniture. Architecture, wainscoting, frescoes, textures, ancient decorative traditions, images reinterpreting real places: Kronos is an unexpected journey through ‘quotes’ and past atmospheres from the world of art. LEVANTE is a time travel, between floral paradises and idyllic scenarios evoking nature, culture and the magical atmosphere of the Rising Sun. A collection full of charm and mystery, which lends on walls the exoticism and poetry of distant lands, creating amazement in contemporary interiors. WallPepper®, Levante collection, interprets the rich oriental heritage: typical gardens, natural landscapes, symbols and icons of Asian culture retrace the decorative and figurative traditions

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TERRACES AND BALCONIES PROTECTED WITH STYLE Protecting and finishing the outside concrete borders of terraces and balconies have never been so easy, effective and reliable. Thanks to Protec CPGV, practical edge profiles in colourcoated aluminium with sloping section and drainage holes, rainwater drains away completely and there are less risks of seepages, efflorescence and detachments related to frost and thaw.

Profilpas Spa Via Einstein 38, 35010 Cadoneghe (PD) Italy - Tel. +39 049 8878412 - Fax. +39 049 706692 - info@profilpas.com - www.profilpas.com

Tile International 2/2020

Articles inside

Laying technologies

Remodelling: Wahroonga private residence, Australia

PROJECTS

THE BEST IN CERAMIC Gallery

Innovation, digitalization and efficiency for VitrA

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Major boost for Ascot and Dom

CERAMIC (R)EVOLUTION

TILENEWS

PHOTONEWS Fustecma solutions for the new Grespania showroom

EDITORIAL Another magazine?

OR.NAMI: eclecticism on wallpaper FRESH TALKS