A contemporary design with Dekton for the Indian diplomatic headquarters in Geneva

The Permanent Mission of India in Geneva stands as a contemporary volume with clean lines, its presence enhanced by a refined design envelope. With a perfect rectangular geometry, its façade stands out for its striking black-and-white combination. This is where Dekton comes in, the material chosen to clad it: Dekton Uyuni slabs dominate and serve as the base for a Dekton Sirius strip, adding dynamism and visual accent.

This colour combination enhances the architecture of precise volumes and provides a sober and timeless presence. The slabs alternate between vertical and horizontal orientations, accentuating the building's geometry and seamlessly adapting to its cantilevered and recessed volumes.

According to Sébastien Rouly, the project manager, “Dekton was chosen for its impeccable surface finish,” which maintains visual uniformity without the need for thick joints, and “for its mechanical and chemical resistance.” Its compatibility with ventilated façade systems allowed for technical integration without compromising aesthetics. Additionally, its ease of maintenance makes it ideal for a public façade exposed to variable weather conditions.

The greatest architectural challenge was to replace the originally planned natural stone without altering the aesthetic vision. Options such as limestone or quartzite were ruled out due to their fragility, porosity, limited formats, supply difficulties, or high costs. Dekton Uyuni and Dekton Sirius provided a contemporary solution that was both technically and visually consistent with the concept designed by de Giuli & Portier, “the material offers a prolonged lifespan with optimised technical impact and minimal operating costs.”

Dekton slabs have been installed using KEIL undercut anchors (DKT1.1 system). This high-performance fixing system is entirely mechanical and concealed, consisting of metal anchors inserted into undercut drill holes on the back of the material, expanding within to secure the pieces without tension. This solution provides great robustness and resistance, allowing for highly flexible and large-format designs, cladding both façades and ceilings while adapting to the building's geometry.

Cosentino, thanks to its Cut to Size service, can supply slabs cut to measure with all the necessary drillings and machining, with deliveries coordinated according to the project and supported by its extensive logistics and distribution network. The design team for this project highlighted Cosentino's support throughout the process, as well as the quick delivery of samples and technical specifications, which facilitated evaluations and confident decisions from the earliest stages.