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Students from all over the world have now new information about one of the most prestigious international awards. In this 2014’s edition, the International Velux Award is still on the side of the young one’s ideas, expecting to explore every possibility that natural light may offer.
The jury has been selected between the collaboration of Velux and the International Union of Architects. This edition will count with the presence of three architects of three different nationalities, with a very well-known editor and also with Per Arnold Andersen in name of the Velux Group. Many of the jury’s members did participate in past editions so they will repeat the experience one more time, much satisfied with the level of participation and also with the innovating mind that characterizes the young students.
The Ushuaïa Beach Hotel in Ibiza, created by Estudio Villa 13, has been awarded with the Hotel Design Award, one of the most recognized hotel-design awards in Europe. The jury said that the architects had shown great vision at rescuing some buildings and transforming them into “an entertainment grand masterplan”.
Ibiza is one of the main touristic points searched by an active youth and Ushuaïa Beach Hotel represents perfectly their motivations and character. Surprise and constant innovation are two main pillars in this company, which every year reforms the rooms in the hotel in order to keep faithful to this philosophy of change.
In the hotel it can be found essential elements such like the swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, the courtyards but also the terraces guarded by palm trees, an invasion of ants running along the roofs and even groups of birds flying around the corridors. All this creates an unforgettable experience and an aesthetic originality which is exemplar to the design world.
Image: Series TWIST, Villeroy & Boch ©
The company Villeroy & Boch has developed four new tiles designs for the incoming 2014. Always attempting to create the most innovative and sustainable product, this collection has been designed in order to approach the different needs that the costumers may have.
Urban Construct, the first of them, radiates power and strength. It is a model dedicated to those who are always in movement, with harmonious series in white, black and shades of grey. Its surface texture brings transparency and a sense of simplicity that’s always well-appreciated in every area. On the other hand, Villeroy & Boch presents Urban Nature, a self-explanatory name which reflects the natural-looking ceramic finishes. The whole harmony with nature it’s easily seen in the selected stones and the organic colors.
The other two models in this collection are Urban Mix and Urban Culture. The first one is a very luminous and creative one, with pastel colors and prints that may represent flowers, hearts, comic book figures or green meadows, an irresistible list of possibilities that will delight every room. Last but not least, there’s Urban Culture, a model that calls to the combination of eras and countries, creating a fascinating cross-culture design.
The hotel’s rehabilitation took place in the neighborhoods Sassi, World Heritage Site, inside Matera’s city, one of the oldest in the globe. The structure was abandoned since the XVII Century and it’s been reinvented completely by the architect Daniela Amoroso. The finality is to create a spacious and cozy design hotel.
The material that defines this place it’s undoubtedly the stone, which is present in every corner of the structure, beginning from the walls and going up to the ceilings. The cold touch of the stone is contrasted by the warm brown tonalities which confer a nice homelike feeling. An interior courtyard it’s the space that connect the other rooms, through a structure of vaults recovered from useless pavement layers.
In contrast with the stone it have been added details such as linen hand-made curtains, in order to control the lightning wisely and elegantly. Using small superior windows, the light enters the rooms and leaves some spaces with shadows, creating a mysterious and charming atmosphere.
This is the second edition of the contest, which was created to promote tiles in the USA. The participants, all of them architects and designers, had to present a photograph of themselves next to a product which represents, in a very creative way, Tile of Spain. An architectural tour through Spain it’s the award that will take the four winners to important meetings such as Cevisama 2014 in Valencia.
The four winners will also receive CEU credits to keep their professional license. The contest was created by Ascer in collaboration with the Commercial Office of Spain in Miami. The USA market it’s ranked on the 7th place in the Spanish tiles exportation market, so this kind of event it’s important as a way to keep the business relationship between both countries.
Photo: (above) David DeQuattro, Monica Hanley, (under) Kristyna Borden, Denise M Fitzgerald
Cevisama 2014 exceeded its expectations due to a huge flood of visitors from both national and international origins. You can check all the photographic and video material below.
ThyssenKrupp Elevator has developed a new line of elevators specifically designed for the Italian residential sector up to a maximum of 16 stops. It’s name is synergy azzurro, a modular elevator developed for the Italian market in order to meet modernization needs in buildings with a preexisting shaft.
The system provides users, as well as architects, designers and construction companies, the highest degree of performance and comfort in addtion to simplification and freedom in the design phase.
synergy azzurro is able to integrate perfectly into the architectural design of a building. The two features that are particularly advantageous are the compact size of the cabin and the absence of a machine room. In this way you save space and obtain reduced construction costs. The short delivery times, the Italian design with multiple options, substantial energy savings and long product life complete the overall picture of the advantages offered by this new elevator.
Ramón Sotomayor, CEO of ThyssenKrupp Elevator SEAME, pointed out, “This is the first of many projects we are working on to adapt our products to the needs of the countries where we do business. Moreover, it is proof of how we focus completely on the customer in our work, adapting to their needs and finding solutions that meet their demands.”
Venatto, the prestigious Spanish ceramic technology brand, launches a new collection of ceramic boards with exquisite realism reproducing the natural beauty of wood and offers all the advantages of ceramic art technology, all without cutting down a single tree.
Venatto uses the latest technology to develop new ARTTEK collection, that stands out for its excellent quality and outstanding toughness. An easy to clean material and really resistant to chemical agents and sudden temperature changes. It is also highly resistant to wear, compression and shock and supports unaltered solar radiation, heavy traffic and the passage of time. Pavements that can be easily cleaned, will not change color with sunlight and do not require waxing or polishing.
It is particularly suitable for solutions at high traffic locations such as hotels, shops, restaurants, etc. It is fireproof, and therefore resists the action of fire without propagate and can be used both indoors and outdoors, for its high slip resistance.
Venatto ceramic planks are available in 20×180 cm and 30×180 cm.
We present one of the latest international projects of the Architectural studio A-cero led by Joaquín Torres and Rafael Llamazares. This project is an Interior Design development in an unique and exclusive hotel in Thailand. Located in the bucolic coast area of Natai Beach in Phuket, this place is characterized by its calm, the vast sands and the turquoise blue waters.
This little luxury hotel resort was conceived to enjoy your stay surrounded by good design. The complex has 10 villas designed by different well-known international architects firms.
A GREAT PROJECT
The project developer entrusted to A-cero the Interior Design of two rooms of one of the villas, concretely the Villa Bianca. Moreover, A-cero developed the design of the restaurant of the hotel, Aziamendi (with 3 Michelin Stars) as well as the exterior chill out area where you can enjoy the amazing views. A-cero have designed absolutely everything, even the furniture.
THE ROOMS
Both rooms designed by A-cero are on the seafront. Two shell shape bungalows sharing an exterior swimming pool. Both elements play with each other and we tried to achieve the opposite interior design between them. In the first room, the vertical lines flow introducing into the sight of the visitor. In the second room the curved lines move horizontally embracing the space around. It is a game of vertical and horizontal lines that wrap the space. Looking for the “ying & yang” and different sensations for each other. The furniture of the rooms is born in each of the curved lines that create the rooms.
The natural local wood is used for the floors and the walls of the rooms, looking for a natural environment according to the exuberant surroundings. In each of these rooms we have changed the disposition of the elements to make them different. The first room has light wood horizontal sense floor and dark wood ceiling.
The project developer and the owner of the hotel trust again in Spanish professionals.
For the restaurant they contacted with the recognized three Michelin stars chef Eneko Atxa, who has his local restaurant Azurmendi in Vizcaya, Spain.
Once the proposal was accepted, the chef got involve with the project to implement the kitchen and the menu of Aziamendi, the name of his restaurant in Iniala.
THE RESTAURANT
A-cero has designed this restaurant for the guests of the hotel. The restaurant with capacity for 70 diners also includes a bar and an area with big size tables. The restaurant installations are thought taking into account the kitchen requirements and the needs given by the Spanish chef Eneko Atxa.
The design of a restaurant has created a welcoming place. In continuation with the style of the rooms, the restaurant has been designed with curved lines and natural materials. The fact that the restaurant is a glass box, allows the guests to view the surrounding landscape. The wood is used for the ceiling and the main walls. In this case we have designed different wood panels for the ceiling to simulate the movement of the waves.
With the intention to maximize the form of each wood panel, the floor has been designed with light wood and the ceiling with dark wood.
The tables of the restaurant have been designed exclusively by A-cero. The curved lines and the natural wood give identity to the space. The tables have been designed for two guests, but thanks to its modular design, we can easily obtain the size requested for the tables.
The Platner chairs from Knoll, designed by Warren Platner in 1966 are the perfect complement. These chairs have been upholstered with light green velvet to integrate them with the local vegetation.
The exterior chill out designed by A-cero complements the restaurant and the guests can enjoy an appetiser next to the sea. With sliding doors and A-cero design furniture you can enjoy the ocean views and the smell of the sea. The tables have the same modular design of the restaurant, with Platner design high seats upholstered with waterproof leather. Once again A-cero design transcends borders and carry us to the incredible beaches in Phuket with this exclusive hotel
Wood’s elegant warmth meets the powerfully contemporary clean lines in Arcadia, the latest collection from CIELO, an excellent manufacturer that brings back Italian manufacturing tradition in combination with state-of-the-art technology to create high design collections for contemporary bathrooms that embody the uniqueness of handmade products.
Arcadia – designed by Studio APG is 100% made in Italy and includes the Cibele bathtub, the Tiberino freestanding washbasin cabinet and a line of design mirrors.
The visually striking Cibele bathtub is made of LivingTec, a resin with excellent style and performance. The bathtub features soft, enveloping forms and can be customized with external coverings in smooth or slatted wood in a lacquered version or in oak with natural, bleached or stained finish.
The lacquers are in the intense colors of the «Terre di CIELO” finishes inspired by natural elements. CIELO ‘s meticulous efforts gave fresh interpretations to all its ceramic design products through 12 colors and original textures, including Basalto, Brina, Pomice, Talco, Cacao, Tabacco, Arenaria, Tufo, Muschio, Salvia, Agave, Limo.
Tiberino, is a new, sophisticated freestanding cabinet that deftly merges practicality and style in a small space. With minimalist flair, it stands out for its geometric shape and its original round ceramic top on which an elegant basin sits; both are available in “Terre di CIELO” finishes. The cabinet is wood with convenient inside shelves. It can be lacquered in all “Terre di CIELO” finishes. The handle is a thin, full-height section that becomes a decorative element. Color combinations can be contrasting or tone-on-tone and make this unique design easy to customize.
The cabinet is joined by an original line of design mirrors featuring powerful personalities. They are full-fledged pieces of furnishing and architecture, available in the following models: Argo, a telescopic ceiling-mounted version; Pluto, a round tilt-and-turn wall-mounted version; Polifemo, a rectangular version with round, magnifying, tilt-and-turn side mirrors and Narciso, round mirror with a passerby base that rests on the tub. The materials used are glass and metal in chrome finishes, polished brass, painted black, or painted with “Terre di CIELO” finishes. These beautiful, lightweight, original mirrors fit seamlessly in bathroom spaces, in a perfect blend of functionality and creativity.
They are the latest evidence of CIELO’s unfailing commitment to developing unique designs for contemporary bathrooms. As a company, CIELO represents a mindstyle that is profoundly tied to its local manufacturing tradition and the design of industrial products for the bathroom.
A unique piece of 1.60 meters particularly suitable for carrying exterior stairs by it’s nonslip character.
Venatto’s Rung is one of the most advanced pieces of the brand. A unique product that uses the most advanced ceramic technology industry to develop the single slip tread Class 3 manufactured by extrusion reaching measures 1.60 meters in length. Like the rest of the collection, presents a micro-textured surface that balances the level of adherence with a dry or wet floor, reducing the risk of slipping or falling.
Venatto offers an extensive range of non-slip treads Class 3, far exceeding the specifications required in the Technical Building Code (CTE) for outdoor paving under severe water intake. The grain finish features great slip resistance, overcoming trials UNE EN 12633: 2003, Class 3 (Rd> 45) which requires the CTE, achieving ratios of over Rd 55. A sliding product with the R11 classification according to DIN 51130 and Class C according to DIN 51097.
The great impact of the first edition of 'Special Cementitious Adhesives', which proceeded to the testing of container and kneading, hairstyle, workability and moisture, open time and setting, try to slip and the life or duration of the mixture, inter alia, has led to this second edition.
Venatto, the prestigious Spanish brand of technological ceramics, expands its catalog of polished finishes with the Collection Caribe, an attractive proposal in a deep chocolate like color, according to the latest trends in international ceramics to enjoy the timeless charm of the colonial decor that never gets out of fashion.
The Venatto pieces in polished finish are natural products that can replace marble, improving its performance and providing greater resistance to chemicals and scratching, at a very competitive price.
Carmen Luna, director of marketing and communications of the Greco Gres Group, says "We continue to innovate to stay ahead of the latest design trends in technological ceramics. New proposals for the most demanding construction projects that are committed to a material that stands out for its strength and easy cleaning. A classic finish very popular for covering walls and floors in hotels, restaurants, department stores, museums, etc. "
The technological ceramics Venatto is a natural product manufactured in bulk to be subsequently polished and grinded obtaining original pieces that mimic natural stone. It is a homogeneous material throughout its substance (the veins, therefore, pass through its entire thickness), each piece is unique and the veins are the result of the multiple combinations of raw materials. The surface can be worked to obtain different finishes.
The polished finish is the perfect choice for lounges, hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, etc… Available in a wide range of colors, sizes and parts of different formats to suit any decorating project where to be combined in endless manners.
And its applications are becoming increasingly original. Apart from covering walls and floors it offers interesting possibilities for lining chimneys and staircases and can even be part of home furniture. With a little imagination it can be applied in shelves, niches, countertops, benches, tables, etc….
Available in 40x40cm, 40x60cm tiles and 120x32cm, 160x32cm steps and complementary skirtings and risers.
In the growing and continuing commitment to the Spanish market, in late July, MAPEI opens its new facility in the town of Mogoda, in the province of Barcelona.Esta SA Ibermapei new headquarters, 3,750 m2, will merge the offices of Badalona and Barcelona, offering a flexible space which will be located: a warehouse of 2,038 m2, which will double as the one currently operating in Badalona, 570 m2 m2 oficinas570 Show-room, an innovative space that will serve to provide lectures, seminars and courses and external training workshop of 570 m2 almost four times the current which can perform product demonstrations, in addition to the specific work of our support department técnica.Con this renewed image corporate headquarters, which will also permit faster and more efficient services, Mapei intends to continue investing in quality, improving day by day the value they bring to their customers and partners.
Just in time for the most important tradeshow of 2012, Schlüter-Systems KG is pleased to introduce a number of innovative additions to its product assortment.At the Cersaie show, to be held in Bologna from September 25 to 29, the Iserlohn-based company will exhibit a number of new and intelligent profile solutions for interior and exterior applications at Stand 10 in Area 45 of the outdoor fairgrounds.
The new Schlüter®-DECO-DEis a high-quality stainless steel finishing profile for outside wall corners with a 135° angle.It offers excellent protection for the edges of tile coverings and is available in the varieties stainless steel and brushed stainless steel.The high-quality finishing profile Schlüter®-DIADEC was also developed for exterior wall corners and the edges of tile coverings.It is made of anodized aluminum and has a visible area that forms a 45° beveled edge at the exterior corner.Its joint spacer defines a joint chamber with the tile and the profile name makes reference to the diamond-shaped contour of the profile.The newly introduced Schlüter®-INDEC profile of anodized aluminum is also designed for outside wall corners and the edges of tile coverings.The visible area of the profile forms a recessed decorative groove at the outside corner.
The elegant stainless profile families Schlüter®-QUADEC and DESIGNLINE have been expanded by two attractive finishes.The square and leather-like structures match many modern tile designs and also reflect the trend toward three-dimensional tile surfaces.
New profiles for exterior applications
The new profiles Schlüter®-BARA-RKK and BARA-RKKE offer additional options for finishing tile and natural stone coverings on balconies.BARA-RKK is a T-shaped finishing profile with drip lip for installation over finished sloped screeds.It is particularly well suited for use in bonded waterproofing and uncoupling assemblies with Schlüter®-DITRA 25 and its closed outer edge gives the exterior perimeter of tiled areas a neat appearance.BARA-RKKE also is T-shaped and has a perforated edge.This profile is designed for use in bonded drainage and uncoupling assemblies with Schlüter®-DITRA-DRAIN 4.Both profiles are perfectly suited for balconies with railings or the renovation of existing balconies with railings, since they feature a drip lip that is close to the balcony assembly.
The 110 m2 stand of Schlüter-Systems will of course also feature a wide range of other intelligent solutions and products for the professional audience at the show.These include the KERDI-LINE and KERDI-SHOWER systems for floor-level showers as well as innovative assemblies and drainage solutions for balconies and terraces. At the same time, the topic of “saving energy with ceramic tiles” has lost none of its importance and the ceramic thermal-comfort floor Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM will again be a core part of the show presentation.
Caleido presents four new additions to its collection of Fire Design bio-fireplaces – Duet, Axis, Camelot and Nerone. Flame, design and combined materials become the true protagonists of the settings, creating special, evocative atmospheres. Caleido bio-fireplaces do not require the installation of a chimney or any system for supplying fuel. They do not produce toxic substances and run on bio-ethanol, a modern source of renewable energy. Caleido bio-fireplaces are modern designer furnishing accessories that suit any room in the house.
In the photo of the news we can see the model Axis and in the gallery of photos for order the models Duet, Camelot and Nerone
Axis-Designed by Daniele Lo Scalzo Moscheri
The dual functions of a tray and source of heat combine ideally in the Axis bio-fireplace. The sides are panelled with solid wood, featuring a milled decorative design. Stone and steel on the top reflect the original spirit of this multi-purpose furnishing accessory.
Duet-Designed by Daniele Lo Scalzo Moscheri
Duet is shaped like a goblet, where the flame is accompanied upwards through a dynamic, lightweight structure. When Duet is not in use, the concrete top can be covered with a thin sheet of metal to create a table.
Camelot-Designed by James di Marco
Sheet metal takes shape in this particular bio-fireplace of pure essential design, which adorns the room like a painting. The curved outer edges highlight the character and personality of this evocative and functional accessory. The flame is enclosed in a scenic compartment that enhances its features.
Nerone-Designed by James di Marco
Caleido technology combines with design to give a simple yet highly effective result. Nerone features a rigorous graphic skyline, associated with an all-round open fire. This small-scale architectural project is linked to a private, emotional desire, to have a live element ever-present to be enjoyed.
AGROB BUCHTAL first of all has been intensively watching and analyzing the market and the practical experience of the last years and now offers a range of tile series with a thickness of only 5mm, which are subsumed under the generic term of FLATILE, that offers the following specific characteristics which are advantageous not only in the bathroom but also in kitchens, halls, bedrooms or living-rooms:
· usable for the wall and the floor (as mentioned, for reasons of professionalism only for residential
buildings and the like)
· extensive range of series, colours, decorations and formats: from the mosaic up to 40x80cm;
in this way, stylistic variety is ensured, and design compromises are avoided
· large formats make small rooms or surfaces appear bigger
· floor tiles with slip resistance R9
· the “HT“ coating applied in-plant lends AGROB-BUCHTAL tiles special characteristics: they are
extremely easy to clean, have an antibacterial effect and eliminate unwelcome odours or air
pollutants
· Dry-pressed porcelain stoneware intentionally was not chosen as material type, as this sort of tiles
is unusually hard and brittle and therefore – especially in a thin version – is difficult to process.
Instead of it, extruded stoneware is used, which combines high breaking strengths (1,100 N = almost
twice as high as required according to the relevant standard) and easy processability. This is
achieved by special mass compositions and an exactly adjusted firing process.
Fassa Bortolo was at MADE expo 2012 (Milan, 17-20 October 2012), a prominent international architecture and building exhibition. Historic company and industry leader, Fassa Bortolo presented a vast range of innovative and mutually complementary solutions: a truly Integrated System that represents the reference point for all types of building work, applying a global approach to site requirements.
At the stand, special focus was on the new FASSATHERM External Thermal Insulation Composite System, a convincing response to the issues of building insulation and energy saving.
Other products that the company presented were the new Skin 432, a decorative, protective paint for exteriors, the poduct RisanaFacile®, the 2-in-1 product for damp masonry, the first bio porous plaster made from pure natural lime for interiors and exteriors and finally between others the New Flooring and Covering System also was on show, a system comprising base coats, waterproofing, adhesives and joint fillers for tiles.
