Case Study
The golden veins of DKTN Laurent light up the Claudio Cipressi Winery in the heart of Italy
Antonella Cucumo, Gabriele Caterina
Location
San Felice del Molise, Campobasso (Italy)
Manufacturer
Benedetto S.R.L.
Couleur
Laurent
Épaisseur
20 mm
End Date
2023
Architecture/design
Antonella Cucumo, Gabriele Caterina
Matériau
DKTN
Aplication
Worktops, tables
Quantity
3 m2
Located less than 50 kilometres from the Adriatic Sea, in the southern half of Italy, the Claudio Cipressi Winery has become a reference point for lovers of good wine. The village of San Felice del Molise witnessed the birth of the winery, which sought to adapt to its surroundings while at the same time shaping its own character. To achieve this, they called on the talents of architect Antonella Cucumo.
“I believe that the most distinctive feature of the winery’s architecture, both inside and out, is its reference to an ‘industrial’ model which for us, the designers, was perfectly suited to the activity carried out on the site, connecting with the environment, the famous genius loci (protective spirit of a place) that surrounds the factory. The use of ‘raw’ materials with a strong visual impact, such as the terracotta of the bricks, the stone and iron of the decorative elements, both inside and out, define the atmosphere of the Cipressi Winery,” says Cucumo.
A robust and natural look
Time seems to have stood still in the small village of San Felice. Therefore, the materials to be used had to be robust and natural, helping to preserve the uniqueness of the place. “The idea was to use a compact and virtually indestructible material such as DKTN to clad the reception/tasting counter and tables, while at the same time offering aesthetic features that recall the industrial style that we had in mind for the winery. Also in keeping with this style was the choice of DKTN Laurent, a dark, matt colour with reddish veins reminiscent of cellar bricks and certain types of industrial-era factories.”
The tasting area is located next to large windows and sliding doors that connect the interior of the winery with its exterior and help to maximise natural light. This is also a decisive factor when choosing a specific colour, as there is no risk of the space becoming dull and dark, but on the contrary, its nuances will be enhanced even more.
The rest of the interior design helps to integrate all the concepts, as the red and grey colours used for the chairs evoke brick and cement, two other materials that characterise the project.
Functional and aesthetic factors
With all this in mind, the choice of a material like DKTN seemed almost obligatory. According to Cucumo: “It was necessary to meet the requirement for the surface to be resistant to certain substances and, at the same time, combine this with aesthetic factors. Only a material such as DKTN would allow wine stains to be easily removed without leaving a trace, withstand the cuts and abrasions that the surface may be subjected to, intentionally or not, and at the same time look as good as new.”
According to Cucumo, “because of its monolithic character, the reception/tasting counter could not have been made of any other material without compromising this granite uniqueness with visible joints or unions. It was also thanks to the expertise of the craftsmen who collaborated in its creation that the original idea took shape. The use of DKTN for the structure of the table was also due to the product’s resistance to any type of stain that might affect its surface.”
Indeed, the power of DKTN Laurent, the chosen surface, is determined by its golden veins, which bring warmth, add a unique texture and create a play of nuances that enhance contrast. The supposed coldness of this dark colour becomes an unexpected source of light thanks to the power of the light in the space and its combination with other elements, such as the wood used for the tables.