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SURFACING DESIGN SOLUTIONS

SURFACING DESIGN SOLUTIONS

#161 March 2013

News / Projects / Products / Zone / TechnicalSurface Design Show / Revestir / Natural Stone ShowFloorcoverings / Solid surfacing / Marble / Ceilings

www.surfacingmagazine.net

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COMMENT Hello and welcome to the April issue of Surfacing! Despite the unseasonably bitter weather, Spring is now upon us, and in the spirit of regeneration we have included a roster of eco-themed articles this month.

Notwithstanding the age-old springtime cliches, growth and rejuvenation have perhaps never been more integral to the design industry, and the increasing and unavoidable presence of environmental regulations are at the very heart of this renewed emphasis. Eco-design is rapidly moving beyond the skilled employment of sustainable materials, denoting instead a pre-emptive approach or philosophy within the very earliest stages of the design process.

Ecobuild, the leading event for the sustainable design and construction sectors, certainly embraced this necessity for foward thinking last month. Perhaps most importantly, the remarkable brands and products on show – although celebrated – were contextualised within an overarching and long-term scheme to overhaul our often shortsighted attitudes to construction and design. Read a comprehensive review of the event on pg 14.

On pg 16, readers will find an overview of Wool House – an exhibition celebrating the vast design potential of this remarkably versatile natural material.

For an expanded take on the latest natural surfacing solutions to reach the market, a dedicated feature can be found on pg 28, including Bark Cloth – a striking material cultivated from Mutaba trees on eco-certified farms in Uganda – and Kährs’ Spirit range – featuring the company’s innovative EcoCore concept.

In light of this fast-expanding sector and the ongoing dialogue and debate that surrounds it, Surfacing will, in subsequent issues, incorporate a dedicated eco-feature each month. Whether it be in form of eco-related news, products, or even perspectives on the latest legislation, we welcome your input.

In the meantime, please do visit the Surfacing website for coverage of the latest industry news and events. Happy reading!

Gemma Ralphgemma.ralph@gearingmediagroup.comTwitter @Gemma_Surfacing 01424 776109

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PROJECTS 041

With the expansion of the Technology Park on the outskirts of Valencia came an increasingly pointed need for accessible day care facilities for employees’ children. Rather than simply conceiving of a generic childcare centre, however, Spanish firm Foursquare Arquitectos was commissioned to create a construction coalescent with an ethos of educational innovation and inspiration.

Project leader, Ana Garcia Sala of Foursquare Arquitectos, envisioned a development in which the buildings formed an emotional component of the pedagogical ideal. Inspired by children’s play, Ana designed a family of brightly-hued circular structures, externally clad in bespoke ceramics.

“The colour encourages a transmission of sensations from both inside and out, creating a space that stimulates curiosity and creativity among the young users of the building,” explains Ana. “The rounded shapes and lack of sharp edges, both in the exterior and the interior, not only enhance the children’s safety, but also invite exploration and encourage proximity and interaction.”

In order that the shape and colour combine for maximum impact, and due to the strong Iberian sun, Ana was in need of a versatile cladding material with high UV colour resistance. The optimum solution was thus thought to be Natucer which, in line with the very specific requirements of the curved facade project, produced 13.5 x 55cm rectangular glazed porcelain tiles, together with specially-curved pieces with a width of 13.5cm and a bowing radius of 85cm.

To achieve the required curvature, the glazed porcelain tiles were manufactured through a process of single-fire baking at 1195°C. Natucer was required to produce a

series of tiles in five distinct spectral groups – pink, violet, blue, red and green. Furthermore, the company produced pieces in four varying shades of each hue – allowing the architect to create the striking patchwork effect of the facades.

The tiles were fastened to tracks through aluminium staples, set into slots within the tiles. The tracks were subsequently fixed to the facade via a sandwiched panel of aluminium and mineral wall, supported by a metallic substructure.

The five circular blocks are colour-coded in accordance with their function – the violet intended for infants from 0-12 months, the pink for toddlers of 1-2 years and the green for 2-3-year-olds.

The red block comprises a communal area, with a gym, multi-purpose leisure room, a heated pool with saline water, and facilities for 3-6-year-old pre-schoolers. The blue building, finally, hosts the catering, staff rooms and administrative facilities, along with a learning and innovation centre governed by the teaching methods of Montessori and Reggio Emilia.

Sustainability played a central role in the project, both in terms of the design and specified materials. The building complex relies heavily on geothermal and solar energy sources, while the interior features a climate-controlled resin floor and ventilation with heat recovery.

The choice of ceramics was guided by the need for a natural, durable and easily-maintained cladding material with high thermal inertia. Natucer certainly seems to have delivered this in abundance – illustrating the power ceramic facades can bring to a structure. W natucer.esW spaintiles.info

Bespoke porcelain tiles from Natucer have been used in the inspiring development of a new children’s innovation centre in Valencia, Spain ...

Promoting imaginative engagement

Image courtesy of Javier Fuente, Consuelo Chambo & Luis Millet

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