Hyatt Regency Zurich: quality and high standards in every corner

Once again it is time to talk about The Circle, the largest and most demanding construction project in Switzerland, where several of its establishments use Cosentino’s materials. This innovative architectural complex, opened in October 2021 at Zurich Airport, boasts a convention centre and an event space of nearly 16,500 m2, is home to the new University Hospital Airport and has a wide range of leisure facilities, including numerous unique shops, restaurants and bars.

But in this recent opening, two renowned hotels stand out above all: the Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport The Circle and the Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle, which together offer 550 rooms and suites to accommodate the many guests of the major events scheduled to take place at The Circle.

The first of these, a four-star hotel, shines not only for its famous Swiss hospitality, but also for the elegance and quality of its finishes in all areas. So much so that no expense has been spared in demanding materials even in its less ‘visible’ spaces, such as those of The Freeflow, the staff restaurant of the Convention Centre, located within the hotel.

Two major Swiss companies have joined forces because of their trust in Silestone

‘Hygiene is the beginning and the end of everything at The Freeflow,’ explains FINEHARD, the company behind the project. ‘This is why our client decided to rely on us for their work surfaces,’ continues this leading company in the processing of innovative, high-tech surfaces for a variety of spaces. 

The company worked in partnership with Buob AG, a prestigious company with more than 70 years of experience, which produces refrigerated cabinets and equipment for all kinds of establishments in Switzerland, carrying out the entire process – from the initial idea to execution and maintenance – with the help of a team of 30 people. 

It was clear to both companies right from the start that, for such a demanding place with the highest hygiene standards as a prerequisite, Silestone’s low porosity made it the right surface. 

Highest hygiene standards with Silestone

‘Silestone is one of the hardest natural materials in existence – second only to diamond, sapphire and topaz – and its composition is more reliable than that of any other natural stone,’ explains FINEHARD. ‘Its non-porous surface prevents dirt from penetrating, making Silestone one of the world’s most advanced materials for kitchen worktops’.

In fact, Silestone is the most sustainable and cutting-edge hybrid surface of premium minerals available on the market, as it is manufactured with the exclusive and innovative HybriQ technology.

‘The material is very easy to clean: to keep the material beautiful and shiny for years to come, just clean it regularly with soap and water. At FINEHARD we are proud of what we ordered for The Freeflow, which fits perfectly in the restaurant with a light and visually unobtrusive colour scheme,’ they conclude.

The Antas Build development is a residential project based in Alameda das Antas, in the heart of Porto. This contemporary complex designed by JBMM architects comprises a total of 93 houses and seven shopping and service areas and restaurants. ‘It covers a surface area of approximately 10,000 square metres and offers quality residential facilities that respond to the need for functional housing that meets current requirements at all levels – comfort, acoustic and thermal – as well as the aesthetic aspect and the expected urban framework,’ explains Joaquim Bragança, the studio’s architect.

The building also boasts an outdoor courtyard, located within the development, which is reserved for the exclusive use of the owners and which has been carefully landscaped. The ground floor consists of shops and services for the general public, ‘thus contributing to the revitalisation of this area under development of the Antas Detail Plan (Plan de Detalle de Antas),’ explains Bragança. In terms of aesthetics, both the façade and the interiors feature a refined design, with straight lines and materials in light shades. ‘Cosentino materials were mainly used for the cladding of the building’s façades and in the execution of the kitchens, but also for the balconies sills, as well as for parts of the flooring,’ he adds.

‘Cosentino materials provided strong guarantees both aesthetically and in terms of the specifications of the type of fixing and construction details required, and also, specifically in the case of kitchens, to meet the demands of homebuyers,’ points out the architect. Specifically, Silestone Miami White was used in the kitchens, as it is a colour that conveys a great sense of purity with its clean, bright white.

Design focused on maximum use of the slab and adhesive bonding

The need for a seamless cladding without visible fixings was solved with a ventilated façade using an adhesive system, which allows the planner to freely place the pieces in any format and in any layout. Visible safety clips lacquered in a similar colour to the Dekton pieces were also included as additional fixings. The ventilated façade allows a continuous insulating layer to be installed on the supporting wall which, together with the ventilated air gap, contributes to increasing the thermal and acoustic comfort of the building, as well as to greater efficiency by reducing the energy required for air-conditioning.

Most of the formats used in the project were 1,400 x 3,170 mm, which means that the slab was used almost 100% and is therefore a highly competitive option from an economic point of view. To achieve this maximum use of the slab, it is essential that the architect follows the recommendations of the sales team.

The ideal solution

According to the studio, the most important properties of Dekton for architects to choose it as a material for the façade were, above all, the different formats available, the wide variety of finishes and the method of fixing the pieces. In addition, other characteristics of this surface make it ideal for both façades and kitchens, such as its high resistance to stains, scratches, temperature changes, as well as the sustainable properties of the material.

“We are Mediterranean. We love sunlight, enjoying terraces and outdoor spaces, friends and family. That was our premise when planning this kitchen, the Brava Kitchen, for Casa Decor 2010”, says interior designer Sara Folch. This commission came from TPC, a kitchen manufacturer and distributor with whom Sara had previously worked. TPC wanted Sara to design their top of the range kitchen, with all the features that any kitchen needs but without compromising on style or elegance.

Warm colours and seasonal vegetables

“The idea I came up with was to make an outdoor kitchen in a very Mediterranean style. It has a surface area of 100 m2 and is set in a porch. It was autumn when we fitted the kitchen, so it was prepared for the colder months”.

Warm colours in shades of sand, olive green and aubergine were chosen to symbolise autumn vegetables and add a touch of colour to the kitchen. “We also designed the furniture cladding, the textures and the layout. Electrical appliances were hidden, just the way I like it, and opened thanks to a motor that made the doors slide”.

Silestone: textured surfaces

We also wanted to create a vegetable garden in the central area of the kitchen. It all depended on the large island. “It measured 6 x 1.6 m and was divided into two areas, a cooking area and a wet area, in addition to the dining space”. Silestone Cygnus15 was the colour chosen by Sara.

“We wanted to try something different from what we had done so far, mainly gloss based, so I chose the matt, textured surface of Silestone. It is also a durable, easy to clean surface. It offers a wonderful range of colours to suit our projects, and the different thicknesses available allow for wall and worktop applications.

Thanks to its properties in terms of hardness and durability, Silestone Cygnus15 was also the surface chosen for the benches, perfectly reflecting the style intended to be conveyed.

Swing-like hanging velvet sofas in the same colour scheme as the rest of the kitchen and placed in front of an electric fireplace from which to observe the kitchen, added a touch of glamour to the project.

The largest and most demanding construction project in Switzerland is now a reality: after more than ten years of intense preparations, the opening of The Circle took place in 2021 at Zurich Airport. The new convention centre, an event space of nearly 16,500 m2, is located very close to the terminal buildings.

It is home to renowned hotels such as the Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport The Circle and the Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle, which offer 550 rooms and suites to accommodate the many guests attending the massive events to be held at the complex. It is also home to the new University Hospital of Zurich, and boasts a wide range of leisure facilities with the opening of exclusive shops, restaurants and bars, such as the {{restaurant l’Oro di Napoli, located at the heart of The Circle. “The warm and welcoming Italian hospitality will make you feel at home as soon as you enter the restaurant. Its modern urban design combined with traditional Italian elements create a unique atmosphere only found at l’Oro di Napoli”, the restaurant says.

Silestone Et. Calacatta Gold: Italian inspiration with improved performance 

The heart and soul of the restaurant is its wood-fired oven imported from Italy, the pride and joy of its founders and responsible for the distinctive and delicious taste of its pizzas. Another hallmark? The surface in Silestone Et. Calacatta Gold, which is reminiscent of stone from the best quarries in Carrara, an Italian region famous for the quality and heritage of its white marble. 

But the reasons for choosing Silestone Et. Calacatta Gold went beyond its beauty and elegance, as it is a material of extraordinary hardness and durability, able to stand the test of time in perfect condition, even when exposed to impacts or scratches. In other words: it is perfect for high-use environments, such as the catering industry.

In addition, Cosentino’s surface has an extra touch of gloss that fits perfectly with the spirit of the pizza restaurant. According to the project managers, Fraefel -a Swiss manufacturer of designer furniture dating back to 1903- and Buob Kühlmöbel -a company specialising in the installation of catering equipment-, “matching the restaurant’s name, l’Oro di Napoli, the surface in Silestone Et. Calacatta Gold extends its elegant charm to the bar.

“Silestone Calacatta Gold is manufactured with HybriQ+ technology, an innovative generation of surfaces with a hybrid formulation based on a new high performance mix of premium minerals and recycled glass. The result is a more beautiful and sustainable product”, say the designers of l’Oro di Napoli. 

Silestone, a sustainable material for a very environmentally friendly building

The fact that Silestone is a sustainable material was another reason for choosing it for the project. Silestone is manufactured with HybriQ+ technology, a sustainable production process fuelled entirely by renewable energy and recycled water. 

“HybriQ+ technology is a further step in Cosentino’s commitment to offer the most innovative and sustainable products on the market. This new generation of hybrid surfaces is manufactured from a minimum of 20% recycled materials, such as glass, and in an environmentally friendly manner in line with Cosentino’s circular economy strategy. All this makes the new Silestone the standard of beauty, cutting-edge innovation and unparalleled sustainability”, say the designers of Zurich’s ‘new place to be’.

In fact, the restaurant is located in an environmentally friendly setting, as The Circle holds the renowned Minergie and LEED Platinum certificates, which ensure maximum energy efficiency. 

When your longest term customer asks you to help build a house for their family, you know it’s going to be a difficult but beautiful project. That’s what Sara Folch thought when the owner of this house in Collbató, Barcelona, contacted her. And the project had to start from scratch, as all that was there was a vacant plot.

“From the beginning, we worked hand in hand with the architect, because everything had to be done. It was a comprehensive and challenging project”. The 800 m2 house was spread over three floors. On the ground floor are the garage, playroom, cinema room and living room. The lounge area, dining room, kitchen and master suite are located on the entrance level, overlooking the garden. Finally, the upper floor houses the office, several bathrooms and three bedrooms for the children.

Timeless and highly functional style

According to Sara, her projects are timeless and, above all, very functional. The aim is to make them as useful as they are beautiful, which is why she always uses materials that she can play with and combine these two premises.

All the floors are wooden and sober colours, including taupé and grey tones in combination with olive green. All in pursuit of a sense of neutrality. The façade was a turning point. “We proposed the colour of the façade to the city council and since then, many people have chosen the same colour for their houses”.

Technology and finishes at the service of comfort

As a modern building, its technology and finishes had to be designed to make life easier and more beautiful.

For example, on the upper floor there is a skylight with views of Montserrat Mountain. Working with a view of the mountains is priceless. The swimming pool was also a hit. The customer loves swimming, so a 25 metre long swimming pool was built.

In the same way, the kitchen and bathrooms needed to be sturdy, durable and easy to maintain materials. Therefore Sara chose Silestone Amazon, a brown background crossed by grey veins that blends perfectly with the colour scheme of the rest of the project, especially with the floor, in Emperador Brown marble. Its low porosity makes Silestone the perfect choice when dealing with stains. In addition, Cosentino’s hybrid mineral surface is resistant to common household chemicals, making it easy to clean. This commitment to a beautiful and functional design also applies to the rest of the house, which is equipped with home automation technology, allowing it to be controlled from a smartphone. In short, a house of the future and for life.

As you approach the fantastic Bar Am Wasser, you will notice something interesting: every day there are queues outside its doors. The reason? Apart from its great location in the exclusive Stadthausquai district, halfway between Lake Zurich and the Limmat River, its luxurious interior spaces and unique bar culture are worth mentioning. In fact, its team has been awarded the best in Switzerland for the past two years and its bartender, Dirk Hany, has been voted the best in the country.

Its iconic décor features sumptuous ornamentation reminiscent of the golden years through warm, dark velvet sofas, richly decorated high ceilings and stunning lighting design. A unique detail? Dozens of cocktail shakers, specially shipped to Zurich by mixologists from around the world, hang on its walls. And an added bonus: panoramic views of Lake Zurich and the Alps. In fact, the bar has recently been awarded for its excellent location at the Swiss Location Awards 2022.

Silestone Et Marquina: a deep black background with dazzling white reflections for the bar counter of the renowned Bar Am Wasser

The beauty of Silestone Et Marquina stands out in the sophisticated and demanding interiors of the bar. “We developed the interior design of this ‘jewel bar’ with great care, using a wide range of materials”, says Küng AG Schreinerei & Innenausbau, a studio known for designing high-quality, bespoke furniture. “Silestone Et Marquina stands out elegantly in different applications, including the tables and the iconic bar counter”, they add. 

Reminiscent of the beautiful and renowned Marquina marble (Spanish black marble), this Cosentino surface features a deep black background full of details and crossed by striking, powerful white reflections. 

This surface is available in polished and suede finishes. While the polished finish is extremely glossy and has a smooth texture and a rich, consistent colour, the matt finish offers a unique tactile experience thanks to its beauty and fineness. 

N-BOOST Technology for a Silestone surface with even more extraordinary properties

In addition to the traditional properties of Silestone, such as its high resistance to stains, acids, scratches and impacts (allowing the handling of hard objects with total peace of mind) or its easy maintenance, there are even more extraordinary properties available for this colour: the properties of the innovative N-BOOST technology.

“N-BOOST is the result of our R&D efforts to take Silestone’s functionality to the next level”, say Cosentino’s experts. “This is a special treatment applied to the surface of the material at a molecular level that enhances its technical properties, making its cleaning and maintenance easier than ever, as well as its design features, offering more intense colours with spectacular shine thanks to the effect of light on its surface”.

That being the case, it is clear that in an establishment like Bar Am Wasser, where only excellence is allowed, the choice of a top-performance surface like Silestone is absolutely essential.

The ExteAundi Hotel Boutique is located in the Oñati valley, in the heart of the Spanish province of Gipuzkoa. It occupies a 13th-century building that was once the old ancestral home of the Lazarraga family, in Oñati. In fact, it was the first home of such an iconic family name.

The exterior of the building retains its medieval charm, while inside, its 21 rooms are the perfect combination of design, comfort and style thanks to the recent renovation. The hotel also has a restaurant that offers updated traditional cuisine.

The use of Cosentino materials, Dekton and Silestone, stand out throughout the building. “Working with Cosentino materials has been very easy and pleasant and we have achieved excellent results”, says architect Tamara Amaral, of North Home Studio. “Without a doubt, it has exceeded our expectations. Its wide range of available finishes are a source of possibilities when it comes to creating different compositions”, says the architect.

Serene and stylish colours by Dekton for bathroom wall and floor claddings

Different Dekton colours, Cosentino’s innovative, ultra-compact and high-performance surface, have been used to clad the walls of the hotel’s bathrooms, including the showers, thanks to its high heat resistance and very low water absorption. 

Among the chosen colours, Dekton Entzo stands out. Inspired by the renowned Calacatta gold marble, this elegant colour adds a touch of realism and authenticity thanks to the random pattern of its golden veining. 

The warm grey of Dekton Edora, suitable for both classic and avant-garde styles, has been used in the wet areas of the hotel. This surface creates minimalist and neutral environments that make it easy to play with other colours. 

Dekton Sasea, a colour inspired by Sahel limestone, has been used in combination with Entzo to clad some of the hotel’s showers. Sasea features a cream-grey background full of details, yet soft and gentle, which has all the elegance of Sahel limestone and all the quality of Dekton.

The play of colours comes to an end with the floors in Dekton Domoos and Dekton Bergen. Domoos features a graphite black background with a pure design, while Bergen is inspired by Portobello stone, featuring beautiful greyish veins with a sculptural pattern running through its off-white background.

Shower trays and washbasins by Silestone: ultimate customisation

Silestone is a material of extraordinary hardness and durability, able to stand the test of time in perfect condition, even when exposed to impacts or scratches. It also offers a wide range of elegant and innovative models, among which Amaral has chosen Elegance.

Elegance is a washbasin available in two different textures that can also be made to measure, allowing you to create uniform and elegant designs. Choosing a colour was not an easy task, as Silestone offers a wide range of colours. In this case, the colour chosen was Rougui, a colour that blends harmoniously with the rest of the tones used in the bathroom.

As for the shower trays, the interior designer opted for the Exelis model in the same colour. Exelis features a simple but robust design, with a four-way drainage system that makes it suitable for any need. Furthermore, its textured finish provides great anti-slip properties.

A bespoke worktop for a user-friendly refreshment area

The hotel’s refreshment area has a mini fridge and several coffee machines and was designed to serve as a meeting and refreshment point. The room features a sober design in which one Cosentino product takes central stage. The worktop in Dekton Kelya, a colour inspired by dark marbles with light veins, provides the WOW effect thanks to its texture and character. A colour designed to embellish the most exclusive environments, such as this unique hotel, which has been brought up to date without losing its essence.

“Bathrooms and laundry rooms are no longer the workhorses of the home, hidden behind closed doors. In this project, we can see how much care and attention has been put into these functional rooms”, BuildHer8 says.

Now that we have accepted that the kitchen is the soul of the house and deserves all our affection, spaces like the bathroom or the laundry room are coming out of hiding and becoming rooms to be admired.

So say the creators of the North House project, a family home in Fairfield (Melbourne, Australia), who have used Cosentino materials to clad these rooms with uncommon elegance and magnificence: “We have been working with Cosentino for years. We love the design and, more importantly, the durability of their products”. 

An eye-catching laundry room thanks to the glossy Dekton Taga

But how do you get a front-page worthy laundry-room? According to BuildHer8, with colours like Dekton Taga: “With its soft cream coloured background and subtle veins, halfway between brown and gold, Dekton Taga creates a spectacular, high-gloss contrast to the matt-finished tiles and wooden elements”, the studio says. 

In their own words, the choice “adds a touch of luxury to a very functional space”. And they further say: “Thanks to its glossy surface combined with Academy Tiles mosaics and Polytec laminates from Kitchens by CJ, the laundry room is no longer just a room for household chores, but a place to admire”.

The laundry room is laid out like a corridor, without taking up too much space, and takes advantage of the upper and lower cupboards and even built-in cupboards -as if it were a kitchen-, to greatly increase the storage space in the home. A minimalist sink, washing machine and dryer round off this space that exudes calm thanks to its natural shades and textures.

A cosy but monumental kitchen featuring Dekton Taga

While it is true that the surprise in terms of design lies in the beauty of unusual areas such as the laundry room, the work done by BuildHer8 in the kitchen looks like a work of art thanks, above all, to its monumental island.

“The sculptural kitchen island, clad in Dekton Taga, takes centre stage, while the matching worktop and splashback provide visual continuity to the space and leads to the pantry”, they say. 

The studio has fallen in love with the features of Dekton Taga, a modern reinterpretation of Taj Mahal quartzite. “It combines nicely with modern materials such as wood look laminates and retro style underground inspired mosaics, giving the whole the glamour of the old world and providing the best possible performance among materials in its category”, they add.

Very attractive bathrooms thanks to Silestone

As the studio already pointed out, the bathrooms is no slouch when it comes to attracting attention. Using the same materials as in the laundry room to create continuity and consistency, the bathrooms are both modern and timeless and, above all, very attractive.

“The bathrooms have similar textures to the laundry room and is a tranquil haven to connect with oneself. Featuring a worktop in Silestone Pearl Jasmine, the vanity are wall mounted to create a clean, floating visual effect”, they say. 

And they add: “Inspired by white limestone, Silestone Pearl Jasmine features delicate greyish veins on a white background, adding an organic touch to the otherwise linear design with its crackle effect”.

North House, genuine beauty and maximum sustainability

Beyond its exceptional design features, the North House project stands out for its 7 star energy rating, the highest in the Australian NatHERS rating.

“The house uses only electricity, no gas is involved. It is equipped with an electric vehicle charger, a hot water system with heat pump, solar panels and a wide range of certified sustainable materials, including Cosentino materials. We have used Dekton and Silestone in the busiest and highest performing areas of the house: the kitchen, the bathroom and the laundry room”, say the architects.

“The use of Dekton and Silestone ensures that we work with materials that are manufactured using truly sustainable processes: Dekton Taga is carbon neutral and Silestone Pearl Jasmine is manufactured with HybriQ+ technology, which uses 100% renewable energy and 99% recycled water”, the studio concludes.