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From 'tureforma' we move to the heart of Denia in Alicante, where our attention rehabilitation held in 'La Seu', a restaurant located in the historic center of the town. We get in touch with the head of the establishment, Cervera Diana Navarro, who explains the details of the building and the restoration that has taken place in this locale at Loreto, which is signed by the architectural firm of Albert Morera.
In this regard, we note that in 2006 an act is undertaken on a former manor house historic, located in the old Arab medina sixteenth-century house on buildings above timeline. This mud has been built, a building system consisting of layers Arabic pressed clay, a layer of lime another in longitudinal and lateral faces.
Historic features
On the other hand, a notable feature is the rough window opening on the end of the sixteenth century. In fact, currently there is only one Denia, which is located in the castle, with an arc of half-point rough characteristic of the era. It should be noted that the building had, on a square, a distribution of shared housing with a first floor and a second height cambra with patio and the back yard for animals (stables). It is also crucial to note that in this performance were respected and preserved the most characteristic and unique elements of the building (central arch of crude, medieval window, railings, floors, windows, rough stone wall and stables, stone wall of the kitchen and Arab tiles) brought them to light, fusing them with modern and minimalist architecture, which the architectural proposal 'La Seu' creates a unique universe.
This architecture is based on noble and natural materials, slate, glass, wood, steel, marble, with the philosophy that employees were themselves decorative materials, and artistic, irregular slate, etc., in order to enhance the essential and characteristic elements of Mediterranean-light, space, sea and vegetation-embodied in the glazed courtyard, the vertical wall and olive trees, among other things, initially with an umbilical cord with Arab mansions, entries that are not displayed and discover the space by turning them over.
The perfect mixing
At all times we have tried the mix of functionality, simplicity, with the transmission of customer feelings, trust, transparency, cleanliness, tranquility… An open kitchen, a different location. A unique experience.
In this section we have decided to delve into the suggestive rehabilitation conducted in premises located in Madrid. This is 'Lan Lan', a restaurant serving Asian fusion, located on Avenida de los Andes within which there has been a transformation of which we echo through these pages.
To hear more about the project, we get in touch with Left Angeles, innermost study, who explains each step that has been carried out. In this sense, says that "the main concept of the project was to make an elegant and sophisticated restaurant with a predominance of white, to enhance the brightness of the room".
LIGHT AS PROTAGONIST
And the truth is that the conceptual elements are the figure of diamond, gold and white colors, light and natural materials such as stone and wood. Undoubtedly, it should be noted that the light is the protagonist in this establishment. Thus, the facade is glass so that light during the day invade the space and at night the light comes from inside to outside, where they have placed a golden metallic shades enhancing the verticality of the facade. Inside has created a relaxed and friendly atmosphere thanks to the combination of white and gold colored, where he chairs a sushi bar black natural stone with golden streaks. One point worth noting is also the whole black air suspended lamps in the center of the restaurant that seems to float in the air. The restaurant also wanted to introduce natural elements like stone and wood to add warmth to white.
In the restaurant you can find references to the logo of the restaurant's name, as they are diamond shaped moldings on the walls and chairs drawing. Finally, we can add that this top notch restaurant has different brands that help give it that unique and exclusive style, such as Kriska curtains Decor, Delightfull lamps, chairs Metalmobil, Naturamia Levantine stone, fabrics of Dedar, Chivasso and Designers Guild fabrics, paper Vescom, Elitis and Omexco, among other things.
PHILOSOPHY OF LOCAL
Without doubt, the study has understood from the beginning the philosophy of the establishment that has reformed, something that is seen in the importance given to each element of the premises, offering a 'look' modern and exclusive in each case. Significantly understand the feelings of an establishment, respect their essence and reform all that is desired to maintain their distinctive features is an art which requires a special sensitivity. In this regard, we must indicate that 'Lan Lan' is an unmistakable sign that touch of unique design that was able to propose Angeles Izquierdo and that we show in this report.
After years of continuous R & D and launching several product lines that have marked trend in the world of architecture under the name 'Neolith' safe bet TheSize launching new facilities that entail significant progress in the company.
NEW FORMATS
NEW TECHNOLOGIES
THE PROJECT
THE FILA TEAM
TECHNICAL INFO
OH! Solar is the perfect solution for the outdoor night lighting of facilities. Its photovoltaic panels capture sunlight and turn it into energy.
The energy stored during the day is released at dusk, and light floods the environment to be illuminated.
Oh! Solaris the ideal way to bring outside lighting wherever building wiring is not provided but lighting is needed, also on occasional basis.
The light source may be switched on and off automatically through a dusk to dawn sensor or by remote control.
As with all solar panels, position is very important in order to guarantee best performances: ideally the lighting fixture should be positioned in the sunlight and south facing (or north facing in the Southern Hemisphere).
A fully charged battery (100%) will ensure 6 to 7 hours of light at maximum brightness.
The lamp is fitted with a base to guarantee a fixed mounting both on a concrete floor and directly on the ground:base is fixed to the ground and the sphere is screwed on.
The system can be used with all the fixing systems available for the ø380 mm diameter Oh! sphere.
Opal white natural polyethylene diffuser and black polycarbonate photovoltaic panel.
LED lamp
Luminous flux 220 lm.
Equipped with a remote control to adjust luminous intensity on 4 preset levels.
It is also available equipped with inverter: when battery is low, this version will enable your appliances to be converted and connected to the mains.
In Warsaw, Poland in the district of Wola lies a small crack of space between the buildings on 22 Chłodna Street and 74 Żelazna Street. Jakub Szczęsny of Centrala, recognized the potential to create something unique within this narrow area, and derived a design of an art installation entitled Keret House. The house upon completion shall become the narrowest house in Warsaw, measuring an interior that will vary between 122 centimeters and 72 centimeters in its narrowest spot.
The Keret House is an art installation in the form of an insert between two existing buildings, representing different historical periods in Warsaw’s history. Keret House is planned to be located on a plot measuring 92 centimeters in its narrowest point and 152 centimeters in its widest point. The project was launched on Saturday 20th of October in Warsaw. It is led by the israeli writer Etgar Keret.
FUNCIONALLY SPACE
Keret House is fully functional space in which one can live as well as create. It is located between buildings at Chlodna 22 Street and Zelazna 74 Street. “We deeply believe it will become a symbol of modern Warsaw ingrained in its complicated history. The House attracts attention of media from entire world. He hope it will show the most fascinating side of Warsaw”, say Sarmen Beglarian and Sylwia Szymaniak form Polish Modern A rt Foundation, the curators of the project.
Ermitage will be a workplace, a hermitage created for an outstanding Isreali writer, Etgar Keret. Besides, it will also fulfill a function of a studio for invited guests – young creators and intellectualists from all over the world. The residential program, conducted in the heart of Wola, is supposed to produce creative work conditions and become a significant platform for world intellectual exchange. The House is located on the plot measuring 92 centimeters in its narrowest point and 152 centimeters in its widest point.
“That is why at first it seems that the construction of living space within such premise is impossible. Keret House is to contradict that false image, simultaneously broadening the concept of impossible architecture”, says the architect Jakub Szczesny. The house itself is 72 centimeters in the narrowest and 122 centimeters in the widest point. The house is located between two buildings from two historical epochs. “The first is a brick building on Zelazna Street – a fragment of the pre-world war II city, almost no longer existing. The second – a cooperative concrete apartment building, an element of an “imposed structure”, which was aimed at negating the previous city landscape. Their adjacency is coincidental – like many architectural structures in Warsaw. Keret House is a perfect example of the so-called “non-matching” in the city’s urban fabric. Another reason is the city’s war history – where the house is located, two ghettos – the large ghetto and the small ghetto met. Only a few steps from the house, a bridge connecting the two closed spaces, stood”, explains Jakub Szczesny.
Today Keret House proves to be a possible venture, thus it costed The Fundation of Polish Modern Art and me a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Everything seemed to stand on its way: the space narrowness, the infrastructure, law and money. But since its creators were persistent and devoted to the vision, they’ve managed to convince and persuade other people: neighbors, authorities, administrators, sponsors and builders. Today the house, or rather an art installation of some 14m2 stands between two buildings by Żelazna St. in Warsawi
Any company, as crazy as it is, can be successful and profitable if it finds its public, if it discovers (or, in some cases, creates) a market where none existed earlier, if it commercialises a traditional product in a novel way. The company TheSize has always thought about its customers first and innovated in its various offers in order to adapt to their needs.
TheSize was created with this innovation ingrained. In fact, in 2009, it created and introduced into the market the largest surface with top-class mechanical properties and design characteristics which had never been seen before.
A GIANT LEAP
After years of continuous R&D and the launch of various product lines which have set the trend in the world of architecture under the name ‘Neolith’, TheSize has bet heavily on this, creating new facilities which will mean important advances in the company.
Before the imminent launch of other products which will follow the trend set by ‘Neolith’ several years ago now, TheSize wants to come out even further ahead by opening the new facilities next July which will almost triple its productive capability.
NEW FORMATS
The implementation of a second production line will mean greater versatility for the material formats which will bring TheSize even closer to meeting the needs of its customers. New sizes and thicknesses have been added to the current range: the new format will be 3.2 x 1.5 m with thicknesses ranging from 6 to 20 mm, something which was unthinkable until now.
With this new format, ‘Neolith’ has become the ideal product for creating kitchen and bathroom counters as it reduces the waste resulting from the work required in these two cases.
It also increases their efficiency when used considerably and, as a consequence, energy efficiency meaning a sustainable reduction of gases released into the atmosphere.
NEW TECHNOLOGY
In addition, with their new machinery, they have invested heavily in decoration technology which allows for the creation of attention-grabbing designs and new finishes, such as: polishing, brushing or a silky feel.Both existing and new product ranges being developed in the R&D department are anti-bacterial and self-cleaning.
For TheSize, customer satisfaction is the principal objective. To this end, the introduction of a second production line means better service in terms of:
– Optimisation of production costs (economies of scale created by greater productive capacity).
– A reduction in the times needed to deliver the material.
– In addition, there is greater flexibility in stock.
– Greater versatility in formats.
– An increase in the lines/designs of products.
‘Neolith’ by TheSize began in 2009 and is nowadays considered the best large surface solution with outstanding properties for use in interiors and kitchens as well as exterior façades, and starting from this summer, ‘Neolith’s possibilities will be multiplied.
From this, we can conclude that TheSize are convinced that “the difference between madness and genius is the level of progress, so in TheSize, every day is ‘Day 1’”
Absolute expert in tiles, the brand Raboni has entirely renovated his showroom in Paris, which has reopened the doors since September 4th 2012.
Located in the core of la Bastille district, capital of the decoration, this beautiful showcase offers three spaces dedicated to wall and floor tiling coverings. A team well acquainted of the last tendencies, welcomes both professionals and private customers and escort them all along their projects.
TRENDING AND DESIGN
More trending and design, Raboni presently encourages promoting his new dynamics, especially with the modernization of his 300 m2 showroom dedicated to tiles, parquet and natural stone.A concentration of tendencies, modernity and design gathers in the centre of Paris by the specialist of wall and floor tiles and decoration.
Established in the 90’s, this showroom allowed Raboni to impose on the tiles and decoration fields. This Parisian showroom has been totally renewed by the bureau Neyvoz, a Parisian architect’s cabinet. The interior arrangements, furniture and decoration have been made by Virginie Bodenreider (interior architect). It presently reveals a new image, more contemporary and dynamic. The refined architecture of the place, overall his big glass façade provide an excellent luminosity for appreciating the products with natural light.
A GREAT TEAM
A team of professionals and experts have taken knowledge in identifying and selecting the quality products through the major European brands, such as Casalgrande Padana, Marazzi, Design Parquet, Decotec, Trend and many others.
In this way, the range of products has been totally reconsidered and renovated for offering the last tendencies of wall and floor tiles to the customers.
SHOWROOM
This space has been also located in the ground floor, specially designed for those professionals willing to organize appointments with their customers.
The architects and interior designers will appreciate this place clam and sober, ideal for the appreciation of the materials and the concentration in the projects.
Raboni gives an honour point to their customers care service, and so has achieved reinforcement on his showroom team.
Experienced and updated with the latest tendencies, here adopted, they are advised and suggested in both tech and decorative fields.
REGARDING RABONI
Raboni is a brand of group CRH France Distribution, member of the Irish group CRH PLC. Established in 1970, and member of the five world wide building construction material leaders. CRH France Distribution has federated the ancient networks RABONI (1998), Materiaux Service (1996 & 2001); Etréchy Materiaux (2006) and LDP (2007) and presently counts with 39 Raboni operations in Île-de France and Normandy, and circa 600 co-operators. Confident in his “savoir-faire” and his experience after 30 year dedication, this company, focused on the proximity service, guaranties his Île-de-France and Normandy clients guidance based on welcoming, professionalism and quality service, which represents the industrial partnership strength with the prestigious brands and avant-garde products.
The term plasma comes from Classic Greek and means modeling, form, fabric, imagination, fiction. In Physics, the plasma state-or fourth state of matter- describes a unique condition of matter arising at a complex overlay of external forces. Plasma, a charged field of particles, conducts energy.
Plasma Studio, international architecture and design practice, is best known for its use of form and geometry. Shifts, folds and bends create surface continuities that are never arbitrary but part of a consistent spatial and structural organisation. Space becomes expanded, new potentials arise, new experiences abound. To access Plasma Studio‘s greenhouse in Xi’an, visitors must take a boat across a lake. The glazed structure is shaped like a horseshoe with an open-air courtyard in the middle. The greenhouse features plants from different climatic zones around the world, and it offers Xi’an residents a cool green space to explore.
Visitors enter through a channel in the earth, which guides them through the greenhouse’s daylight-filled rooms. Measuring a total area of 43,000 square feet, this luscious greenhouse in China provides a valuable opportunity for residents to reconnect with nature.
Once again this year Fila Surface Care Solutions will be taking part in the two main sector fairs – Cersaie (Bologna) from 23 to 27 September and Marmomacc (Verona) from 25 to 28 September – with new products, further uses for existing products and surface care solutions.proof of the energy and ability to innovate of our company, which this year celebrates the 70th anniversary of its foundation.
Attention to eco-friendly solutions will bring to the fair an enrichment of the Fila Greenline with new solvent-free protectors, high performance and environmentally friendly thanks to their VOC-free water-based formulas.
Whereas FILANODROPS, devised for glass shower cubicles, is a new protective detergent to stop water drops on showers, mirrors, enamelled ceramic tiles and glass mosaics that Fila will be presenting at Cersaie. Again at Cersaie, Fila will be introducing a new different use for FILAPD15, the protector for lappato porcelain tiles launched last year, which is now ideal also for textured natural porcelain tiles laid either indoors or out.
Meanwhile, at Marmomacc, Fila will be showcasing the new professional marble crystallizer, for restoring all worn surfaces to their original sheen.
The new products are the result of work by the Fila technical laboratories and continual investments in research and development, which have enabled Fila to become a cutting-edge international player, its differentiated solutions meeting the needs of individual markets.
Other news concern communication tools for the sales point. One is the new Fila smartphone APP, thought up for both those working on site and retailers, making it easier for them to find the most suitable solution to the their customers’ requirements. The other is Fila Service, the FILA division dedicated to manufacturers, designers and contractors, which provides a turnkey service for site management, with specific focus on surface care solutions.
In addition to its 70th anniversary, Fila also achieved another important distinctive goal in 2013.To date, it is in fact the only brand of solutions for protection and care of surfaces to be recommended by over 200 international manufacturers of floors and wall coverings in ceramic tile and natural stone.A guarantee of reliability, quality and effectiveness.
You will find all the new Fila entries at Cersaie – Area 45, stand 28 and at Marmomacc, Pavilion 7 – stand C6.
The Stedelijk Museum is internationally known and renowned for its commendable collection of contemporary art. Although her collection is equivalent with the international top museums in this field, the building was outdated. The position on the Museumplein (Museum square) in Amsterdam, where the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Concertgebouw also are situated, created all options to be back at the top of the museums with a renovated and expanded building.
ORIGINS OF THE MUSEUM
The existing building of the Stedelijk Museum created in 1895 by the municipal architect A.W. Weismann, is celebrated for its majestic staircase, grand rooms and natural lighting. These strong points have been retained in the design by Benthem Crouwel Architects along with the colour white, introduced throughout the museum by former museum director Willem Sandberg (1945-1962). The new extension does not ask for more of the same, but to supplement by variety and by adding new opportunities for exhibitions. The old remains and forms unity with the new. Both in terms of exhibitions and routing, making compelling choices between old and new has been averted. The expansion is not a subordinate, or very different pavilion next to the existing building, but an integrated addition.
NEW BUILDING VERSION
The contrast of the new building versus the old building is obvious from the outside; inside the museum you hardly notice strolling from the new building into the old. The former entrance was unsuitable as a public entrance – with all the associated functions – to be maintained. While maintaining the strengthsof the existing building was not possible to have all new components and public functions, which create a museum of the 21st century, in the existing building.This restriction had the obvious ability of turn the orientation of the new museum toward the Museumplein. The Stedelijk Museum is the first museum with an actual entrance on the Museumplein. To make sure that the available space at the Museumplein would not be overbuild, but instead was appropriated as an entrance plaza to the south, the rotated orientation is optimally exploited. The new entrance seamlessly fits into the existing central access zone of the symmetrical building and is an extension. By partly lifting the added volume and sinking the rest underground, the existing building remains virtually untouched and fully visible.
The Oslo City Hall has given the green light to the construction of the Munch Museum in the new area of Bjorvika near to the famous Opera House. The discussion between the political parties on the location, programme and financing of the museum has led to an agreement that project ‘Lambda’, headed by Spanish studio Herreros Arquitectos, is the best of all the alternatives available from the various agents which participated. Project evolution In March 2009, Juan Herreros won an international competition, beating other architects such as Pritzker Tadao Ando and Zaha Hadid, in order to lead the creation of the Munch Museum and the adjacent commercial and residential complex in Bjorvika. At the end of 2011, after two years of working on the approved master plan for the area and the basic building project, groups and political parties voiced doubts over this and other projects which were accompanied by the breaking of political alliances which temporarily suspended the agreement on the museum. Since then, the process has required the creation of new prospective jobs and reports, political negotiations which affect the various aspects of cultural and social life in the city, and has even led to protests by citizens, claiming the construction of the museum was necessary for holding the works of the most important Norwegian artist in a dignified manner while avoiding more delays. In these cases, the architect must maintain a respectful manner, taking a step back from the front line to ensure transparency in the process but must also be seen to be available to listen and explain, offering alternatives and helping to open pathways towards an agreement, says Juan.
A breakthrough product that conquers international markets by its high quality and the demonstrated experience of Greco Gres International Group Technical Service, in all types of projects all over the globe. Countries with cultures as diverse as Algeria, China, India, Kuwait, Russia and Turkey, to name a few, had succeed their products.
Greco Gres Group extends FRONTEK finishes and formats with the launch of new models and textures designed to conquer the most exclusive international markets. The latest releasements include the new collections with volume and new finishes, that replicate the natural beauty of wood and slate, new metallic finishes and new cement collection.
Frontek is a piece of porcelain extruded very light which offers excellent technical qualities for facades cladding: high hardness, high strength, low water absorption, good performance under climatic and environmental agents, etc. An exceptional solution for ventilated facade that does not require any cutting or drilling to be fixed to the structure. It’s studied double self-ventilating wall design and longitudinal grooves make it compatible with any anchoring system on the market. In this way, any possible weakening suffered by tiles that require making cuts, holes or slots for attachment, is avoided.
It also offers an attractive alternative to ensure quick and easy installation in the traditional cladding system. A compatible solution with any fixing element on the market which may be done by resins or mechanical fasteners to secure adhesion.
Greco Gres International laboratory collaborates with project managers, researching new formats and finishes to get parts to suit each project.
A towel heater of modern and abstract design, inspired to the contemporary style of essential and plain beauty. A simplicity that seduces and conquers, an enchanting, eye-catching line. It’s the new aesthetic idea suggested by Brandoni, brought to life in NewLine, a modern and innovative radiator even in the name.
Tailoring workmanship combined with an innovative approach to design. A creative push we can easily recognize in the modern style of NewLine, distinguished by the absence of light and shade. A compact body defining a new concept of Smooth & Plain design. Enhanced by brilliant technical devices and accessories to preserve the integrity of its aesthetic line, such as the air vents back positioning or the cable-hiding device for the electric version.
This complex project has been developed by Butech, a company which belongs to Porcelanosa Group in Castellón, in partnership with the local company Boonthavorn, official retailer for the Spanish Group in Thailand. When it comes to the technical complexity, Javier Safont, responsible for the engineering of this project, stands out “the difficulties of creating a structure to withstand a façade and a deck which go beyond the building itself, as well as its integration into the waterproofing and the thermal insulation of the building”.
KRION LUX
This original building, designed by ADPI architects in Paris, France, features a 3D façade where the front side and and the deck show a cracked design, taking over the classic design where all lines compose right angles.
When the pure white of Krion is added, the result is a new architectural reference point in the Thai Capital. Krion is also an essential element. This solid surface material, produced by System-Pool for façade purposes, features an absolute white colour, an excellent resistance against environmental agents and a great versatility which allows designs that were impossible to achieve with other materials. Big panels can be produced in any shape, curves inclusive, and many different options of signs and lighting may be implemented.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS
Butech, the technical company of Porcelanosa Group, has gained a wide experience during the last years of design, technical development and execution of ventilated façades, especially with porcelain tiles. Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Morocco, Francia or Israel are just some examples of the countries where Butech has been working along the five continents. There is an important investment on R&D behind all these projects in order to create different systems which have passed the most demanding certifications for porcelain tiles (Porcelanosa Group) and solid surface (Krion).
A GREAT TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT
The success of this project is no coincidence but a result of a great effort on technical development, supported by the most demanding French approvals and the experience that Butech has got around the world.
It is important to emphasize the confidence that France has placed in this Spanish technology to carry out such a big project. This is easy to understand because of the reputation that Butech has earned by executing these kind of jobs. All of that, mixed the advanced properties and the aesthetics of Krion, converts any proposal into a safe bet. An analysis of this material is detailed next.
Krion is a new generation solid surface developed by Systempool, a company that belongs to Porcelanosa Group. It is a material that is warm to the touch and similar to natural stone. It is made of two- thirds natural minerals (ATH – aluminium trihydride) and a low percentage of high- resistance resins. This composition gives KrionTM a number of exclusive features: it does not have any pores, it is antibacterial without any type of additive, it is hardwearing, highly resistant and easy to repair, only requires minimum maintenance and is easy to clean.
DESIGNS AND PROJECTS
It is shaped in a similar way to wood, making it possible to cut the sheets, connect them and thermoform them to create curved sections, and can even be injection moulded to create designs and projects that are impossible with other materials. Seamless sections can be created, preventing liquids from being absorbed and making cleaning and maintenance easier.
We offer a wide range of colours, including a white finish that stands out for its purity and eutrality in comparison with other similar materials. It is an ecological material, as it is 100% recyclable. All products made of KrionTM can be reprocessed and reused in the production cycle. This amazing ventilated facade by Butech for the new embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, has been a great succes._
Venatto renews its range of pavements with integrated decoration, unique pieces that take care of every detail with quality assurance of ceramic art technology and the latest design trends.
The unique extrusion production process, allows seamless integration of blanks, achieving an area of exquisite purity for the most demanding markets. Natural pavements that can perfectly replace marble or stone quarry and will remain clean over time, even in high traffic locations.
Venatto Integrated Scenery are a practical and easy to install solution that offers multiple combinations to get exclusive pavement with easy cleaning and maintenance.
The latest proposals highlights the Nuptse, exquisite design that combines the pieces in various ways to suit different decorating projects collection.
The project was designed by the firm Witteveen Architects but it has been Houtwerk BV, member of the Quality Club of HI-MACS®, who has materialised all this changes.
Canal House is a very wide space which provides a sensation of freedom and movement. Moreover, another important detail is that a big part of the personalised designs for this house have been made with the Hi-Macs acrylic stone in the Alpine White colour.
A project where the architecs have used clean and minimalist lines that remain the uniformity in the full house.
Moreover, it is important to say that HI-MACS has incredibles characteristics such as durability, resistence and thermoformability, and offers a big number of posibilities with unique colours, effects and textures.
A house where each detail counts. In this way, first of all it is important to talk about the bedroom, where the renovation coincides with the aesthetic and materials of the rest of the house. Is for that reason that HI-MACS was used in order to coat the bedroom zone of the loft, the full balustrade and the doors with the handles integrated.
Finally, it is important to talk about another part of the house, the bathroom, that is completely built of HI-MACS not only the floor and the walls but also the shower and the tailored basin. In this part of the house it highlights the big integrated bath, also made with HI-MACS and where the walls are perfectly mixed with its structure.
Elegant. Light. Warm. When thinking of the Nordstrom brand, very specific descriptors emerge that evoke the chic, high-end style of the upscale retailer. Following a 2012 announcement that the former Sears location at Ottawa’s Rideau Centre would be reinvented as Nordstrom, a great deal of care was taken to select architects, technicians and consultants that un- derstood the brand, the vision and the goal. As the number one retail design firm in the world, designing more than 150 new and remodeled Nordstrom stores in North America, Seattle-based architecture firm Callison was selected for the project in this high-traffic location in the heart of Canada’s capital.
Callison began planning, digging deep into the design process and creating what would be an epic, dramatic revamp of 14,000 square feet of dreary, worn exterior and interior storefronts. The completed elevations were sleek and specific, designed with flat panels in a bright, gleaming white with subtle polished accents that would never stain, fade or discolor. The exterior façade would need to overcome the often harsh weather conditions in Ottawa, where temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius are more normal than even locals would like to admit. An installation system that held panels firmly in place without grout lines was another necessity to carry out the team’s full vision. Callison realized this was a tall order.
With several key “must-haves” for the project, Callison began looking into potential solutions that would not sacrifice the design details that were so important to the overall aesthetic. After looking at a variety of surfacing materials, Callison was drawn to Neolith by TheSize, a Sintered Compact Surfacing product already used frequently in Europe for commercial facades. The product had a reputation for being incredibly durable and resistant to scratching, fading, staining and extreme temperatures. After meeting with Travis Conrad, architectural consultant for Neolith, Callison’s team was feeling confident for the first time that their vision might become reality. “As architects, we definitely thought about design and the aesthetics of the project foremost, but design visions don’t often link directly to a functional solution, especially when looking at a high-traffic commercial project like the Nordstrom at Rideau Centre”, said Michael Lee, principal, Callison. “The product addressed our concerns from a design perspective— an array of tile colors to create patterns of horizontal movement, limited grout lines, varying panel heights and lengths to further reinforce the random nature of the façade, allowing for lasting warm colors—but also from a functional perspective in terms of durability”.
Neolith’s unique manufacturing process, which uses high pressure and high temperature to create a compact, nonporous surface, enables the product to withstand harsh conditions and emerge unscathed. A key concern for this project related to weather, as many compact materials are unable to withstand the coefficient of linear expansion in Ottawa, or the extreme fluctuations in temperature. Neolith’s design, in tandem with a unique mechanical installation system, provided a secure way to fasten panels without fear of cracking or splintering. Neolith and the accompanying installation system also provided several design benefits to the project.
The exterior storefront has several sharp angles and edges, as result of the façade being raised away from the main structure. Using Neolith, a chamfer miter is possible, allowing for seamless L-shaped pieces for cladding the outside corners. This simplifies installation, improves overall aesthetic and avoids the use of unsightly vertical lines where sealing caulk often gets dirty and discolored. This project utilized both 90- and 136-degree miters, giving the building an effortlessly seamless appearance.
Aside from a clean, smooth look, the architects were also looking for specific colors. To contrast with the concrete and stone buildings surrounding the area, the façade was to be mostly bright white in matte and polished finishes with tan and grey accents. The team selected the pure Arctic White color in a Satin finish as the base and accented that with scattered panels of Barro, Perla and Arena in Satin and Polished finishes to round out the color scheme. Neolith’s portfolio of nearly 50 colors and four finishes gave the team a vast amount of aesthetic freedom to get the design just right. “Once my team [at Neolith] learned about the design goals and confirmed that functionality wouldn’t be an issue, you could see the architect team breathe a complete sigh of relief”, said Travis Conrad, Architectural Consultant, TheSize Surfaces. “We were happy to be able to offer a product and system that evenly matched the high-end quality of the Rideau Centre, Nordstrom and Callison, and let the architectural team focus on crafting a truly beautiful space”.
