Dekton colours and textures, the perfect choice

When we asked the architect of this spectacular lobby why she chose Dekton by Cosentino for this project, her answer was clear. The wide range of colours, as well as textures reminiscent of natural stone, are the properties that make Dekton a very special material for her.

Jomana also explained the challenges and difficulties of this project and how much support she received from Cosentino’s team for professionals. The architect appreciated the fact that she was able to receive large samples or have different options in terms of colours and qualities during the execution of the lobby.

Once again, the material becomes the best tool to create a sensory experience for the architect’s creativity and people’s enjoyment.

A non-porous material to stand-up to the challenges of the weather

Architect Håkan Widjedal, from Arkitektstudio Widjedal Racki AB, was looking for a façade material with a rusty look that would resist discolouration caused by UV rays. The material also needed to withstand the low temperatures of Sweden and the very high humidity from the nearby lake.

The solution was the use of Dekton, which provided both the desired colour and the required strength to withstand the Scandinavian weather conditions. As an ultra-compact surface, Dekton is a non-porous material that does not deteriorate over time or in unfavourable weather conditions.

This architectural project also aimed to be an example of sustainable construction, so it was essential that the material of choice should be environmentally friendly; Dekton, classified as a Carbon Neutral product, fulfils this requirement perfectly and puts the finishing touch to this project in which architecture, design and sustainability are in perfect harmony.

A non-porous material designed to withstand

Dekton is a non-porous surface, which prevents dirt and graffiti from penetrating the surface, making it easy to maintain. In fact, Dekton is resistant to abrasion, UV rays and fire, so its use ensures a long-lasting façade that will maintain its colour consistency over time.

In order to facilitate the installation of the ventilated façade, the project managers required the packaging of each piece to be accurate. The Cosentino team not only supplied the material, but also provided support and acted as a partner to help the fitters work as efficiently as possible. The result is a distinctive façade that fits perfectly into the historical district of Brooklyn.

Beautiful colour that does not fade outdoors

Dekton Blanc Concrete – a beige concrete with delicate grey veining reminiscent of the vulnerability and beauty of concrete – was used for this residential building in Vic. The resistance of Dekton allows the architect or designer to create outdoor surfaces with the full range of colours in the Dekton catalogue, ensuring that the sun’s rays, saltpetre or any other external element will not damage the colour.

Specifically, 12mm thick Dekton has been used for the finishes of the balconies and windows of this bonded façade, as well as for the walls of the penthouse that crowns the building. The cut-to-size slabs are particularly striking, as the horizontal lines have combined to create a harmony that complements the exposed brickwork very well.

Natural stone for an energy efficient façade

The Velázquez 34 building features a double façade overlooking Goya and Velázquez streets, in which glass and natural stone come together in perfect harmony to give the structure strength while allowing natural light to flood in. Each column is a unique piece, a ‘vertebra’ of this façade made up of “solid and huge marble stones from Almería, which embrace the concrete pillars”, says Rafael de la Hoz. Specifically, the colour Traventino Nogal from Cosentino's Natural Stone collection has been used to outline the skin of the building.

For the architect, “this façade makes its stone gravity and visual transparency compatible with solar protection thanks to the use of exterior textile blinds”. The motorised blinds are automatically operated in response to the incidence of sunlight, allowing the building to optimise energy use.

Continuous insulation

One of the main architectural challenges was to achieve continuous insulation between the façade and the roof without a single thermal bridge. The second requirement was to ensure waterproofing and minimise the need for maintenance in the future. The studio came up with a unique and innovative solution for these two challenges. “Protection against heat is as important as protection against cold”, they explain.

The house has been designed according to passive approaches, paying special attention to the thickness of the insulation, the cladding and the thermal and ventilation installations. “In the living room, we have taken the liberty of creating a 4.40 m opening by means of two high-quality sliding panels that are hidden in the façade. The indoor-outdoor connection is very important to us, even if it means ‘sacrificing’ a totally passive design for one that is ‘almost passive’ in terms of energy consumption”.

Dekton Sirius ventilated façade

Thirty-eight 1.2cm thick Dekton Sirius slabs were used to clad the façade, which corresponds to a total surface area of 175m2. These slabs are easy to maintain and are supported on a stainless steel and aluminium structure that is highly resistant to moisture. This solution creates a space between the Dekton cladding and the support, which makes it possible to hide the installations and to dismantle them at any time.

One of the key features of this ventilated façade system is its flexibility, as it can easily be modified or adapted to the needs of the house. In the case of this house in Arteixo, the solution was ideal for a residential building for short-term rentals.

The façade is the part of the building that is subject to the most wear and tear as it is continuously exposed. The selection of the façade material is critical to protecting the structural elements and ensuring the energy efficiency of the building. Dekton offers a unique solution in the market because it is a beautiful material available in a wide range of thicknesses and large formats. Dekton is the first choice of thousands of professionals to cover the “skin” of their buildings due to its high resistance to the sun, stains and temperature changes; as well as its colour stability.

Custom-made divisions that do not detract from the features

The architect was looking for a material that would allow him to play around with dividing up the complex in different sizes and create a specific pattern for the building. This was achieved on the retail floor, creating a unique design that is also technically interesting and leaves the studio’s imprint on the project.

The aesthetic was paramount in this project, which also needed a long-lasting material that was resistant to stains as well as potential graffiti, and available in a wide range of colours. The decision to use Dekton in the two different finishes enabled the architects to play around with the complex’s dual purpose: retail and residential, keeping the whole building coherent.