The new Elan Center in Israel is a large building with a striking modern façade made of glass and Dekton slabs. In addition to being visually appealing, Yaakov Gilad Architects chose this original cladding for its durability and ease of installation and maintenance.

In this sense, the studio took into account all the features of Cosentino’s ultra-compact surface for its application as exterior cladding: its resistance to UV, heat and fire; its low water absorption; its resistance to stains, abrasion, scratches, frost… In short, all the features that guarantee that the chosen colours will maintain their flawless appearance for decades.

In this case, the colours chosen were Dekton Lunar and Dekton Kreta, both boasting a sober and modern design. Dekton Lunar is a reinterpretation of conventional cement inspired by industrial design with an off-white background that makes it very trendy. Kreta is also inspired by traditional cement floors, but evokes a sense of serenity. Its design is homogeneous and restrained, although it includes darker or lighter areas depending on the density of the pattern. In addition, its matt texture and grey shade match all types of materials – such as glass, in this case –, making it perfect for any application.

Moreover, this Cosentino product provides visual continuity and a uniform colour throughout the façade. Beyond its design, Dekton features excellent acoustic and thermal absorption, which, together with its carbon neutrality throughout its entire life cycle, makes it a highly sustainable choice.

Another reason that led Yaakov Gilad Architects to choose Dekton was the service provided by Cosentino, which offers support and advice from the prescription process to on-site execution, adapting to the needs of each project and providing solutions throughout all phases of the project.

Cosentino thus provided the architecture studio with comprehensive advice on materials, construction systems and anchoring, using simulations and static calculations, 3D renderings, tests and trials, etc. As a result, for the façade of the building with both Dekton Lunar and Dekton Kreta slabs, a rivet fixing system was chosen, while for the façade featuring Kreta slabs only, the system chosen was a curtain wall.

Cosentino also provided the studio with other services, such as recommending fitters and customised solutions. In addition, it monitored and assessed the final result, providing additional training on the use and easy maintenance of each application and system.

In this project, the architectural firm decided to use two innovative facade systems for 8 mm Dekton thicknesses.

One of them is the DKR system with exposed fixing with aluminum and stainless steel rivet head with 16 mm diameter. The rivet was supplied in Lunar and Kreta colors contrasted directly with Dekton samples, more accurately than using RAL color charts. This coating has a 10-year warranty. In addition to the rivets, all the accessories and tools necessary for the correct application of the system were supplied according to the technical manual provided by Cosentino.

The other system used has been used to cover the opaque areas of the facade using a structural adhesive system for gluing on a metal frame that is integrated on site (stick system) in the curtain wall system (DKCW).

These two systems expand the range of possibilities for Cosentino in the Façade market, with finishes, costs and installation processes more adapted to different project options.