Raytrace is a spectacular, large-scale Dekton® installation, designed by Benjamin Hubert, founder of experience design agency LAYER.

Cosentino announces their collaboration with Benjamin Hubert of experience design agency LAYER, on a large scale, immersive installation for Milan Design Week 2019. The installation, titled Raytrace, showcases Dekton®, the ultra-compact, large format surface by Cosentino on an architectural scale–exploring the product’s innovation and beautiful design, while demonstrating its strength and durability.

Hubert’s design references Dekton®’s highly technological qualities as an indoor/outdoor architectural product and the natural minerals used to produce the material. Raytrace contrasts a dramatic, 24 meters long, triangular element with mesmerizing, caustic patterns emulating the refraction of light through water–a visually powerful demonstration of Dekton’s qualities as a surface which can withstand the powerful forces of nature.

“Dekton® by Cosentino is a truly innovative new product–one of the thinnest compact surfaces on the market with incredible flexural strength,” says Benjamin Hubert. “Raytrace shows how architecture comes to life with light and highlights the qualities of the newly launched material, its light appearance, versatility and how it can be used on a monumental scale.”

Raytrace will be exhibited in the historical vaulted warehouses beneath Milan’s Central Train Station as part of the third edition of Ventura Centrale. The iconic backdrop of these arched spaces will house installations by internationally renowned brands and designers, making it a must-see destination during Milan Design Week 2019.

April 9-14, 11:00-19:00
Press Preview: 8 April 2019, 15:00-17:00
Address: Ventura Centrale
Via Ferranti Aporti 27, 20125 Milan, Italy

The different solutions that you can find on the market for the outer skin of your building, your curtain wall design, have two roles: energy and esthetics.

The energy-related aspect of the resurfacing of a facade is very much determined by the type of insulating material chosen, in terms of both its capacity to insulate and its position within the whole design Likewise, the material used to put the finishing touches on the whole ensemble plays a crucial role.

In terms of design, the outer skin is key to the esthetic of a building as it makes the first impression and highlights the unique personality of every project. Many architects make the form or style of a building’s outer surfaces central to their personal brand.

Curtain wall design- Dekton floor at Baku Airport

Outer surface designs should be tailored to suit each individual building and project. In order to achieve this, you have a wide range of solutions at your disposal. Here are some of the most common ones:

• The traditional single layer of mortar: a plaster exterior to which color can be applied in order to achieve the desired finish. The facade acquires a certain degree of impermeability, and it also dries out readily so that rain will simply evaporate away.

• Thermal isolation systems: there exist a diverse array of thermal isolation systems for the exteriors of buildings. The most common systems on the market consist of expanded polystyrene panels which give the building the properties of impermeability and breathability, as well as providing thermal isolation. Usually, this type of outer skin is given a decorative finish using acrylic plaster.

• Glazed curtain walls: these glazed metal structures imbue your building with the modernity of design that is always associated with glass. With this option, you’ll be taking a very contemporary architectural route.
• Ventilated facades with a natural stone finish: this option is a fantastic way of meeting the building’s energy requirements thanks to the free flowing air and the thermal isolation.

Why are curtain walls increasing so much in popularity?

Of all of the options discussed above, and of all the options that you will find in the extensive catalogue of architectural solutions, there is one that is really booming: the curtain wall. This is the system most prized by architects and professionals in the construction industry for various reasons:

• Structural : this is a very light-touch solution that barely adds to the weight of the building’s structure, in contrast to heavier options.
• Architectural: this solution opens doors for innovative designers, because the form and material used for the exterior finish does not depend on the shape of the building. This is possible thanks to the metallic substructure supporting the outer skin.
• Energetic: thanks to the flexibility in the choice of materials for the finish, curtain walls are suitable for all types of climate and weather conditions.

This final consideration, the selection of the finish, has not always admitted so much flexibility. Traditionally, curtain walls were given a crystalline finish – something that complicated the architect’s ability to meet standards of thermal comfort in the building’s interiors. In addition, the transparency of glass rendered visible parts of the building that were not so esthetically pleasing, such as the ligaments joining the curtain wall design to the building.

There are many options for the outer skin of a building, and curtain walls are one of the most popular. When it comes to materials for constructing a curtain wall, solutions are available thanks to big businesses investing in research, with the key aim of improving the architectural industry and making it more and more efficient, sustainable, and innovative.

If you liked this article, you can’t miss our free guide:

Monday, May 21st, at Pier 17 in New York City’s South Street Seaport, top architecture and design professionals from around the world attended the third annual NYCxDesign Awards — an awards program recognizing excellence in design from the hundreds of events that make up NYCxDESIGN 2018. Continue...

A focus on living well and beautifully with the whole family was at the heart of Cosentino’s participation in ICFF NYC this year. Dekton by Cosentino shone as the ideal surfacing material for the whole family through a dynamic activation that brought together people and pets.

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The Beauty of Travertine Marble

Travertine Marble

A true stone lover’s natural treasure, travertine marble is many a decorator and architect’s favorite. The limestone forms under pressure and heat from the earth’s crust in hot springs and limestone caves. Because of its origins, it has certain distinctive characteristics like small holes, patterning, and a range in color from the lightest of ivories to darker shades like golden hues and even browns, these tones coming from traces of iron and organic materials. Today we see classic homes integrating travertine mantles, and entry ways and contemporary spaces featuring walls of the dramatic stone as artistic and sculptural focal points.

Architects and designers love this surface covering because of its natural beauty, diverse choices and classic look that suits almost any interior or design project, from kitchens to bathrooms, walls in focal rooms like living areas to architectural features such as staircases, travertine is an optimal luxurious choice.

Modern spaces and traditional rooms are offset flawlessly with the addition of travertine features, whether a smoothly polished floor, fire place, or facade.

A Brief History of Travertine Marble

Travertine is a go to luxury natural stone element for contemporary bespoke interiors, and yet it has a long history that can be traced to ancient Roman architecture including the world renown Colosseum. An enduring classic, it is also used in modern and contemporary architectural design such as Mies van der Rohe classic 1929 design for the Germany Pavilion for the International Exposition in Barcelona. This canonical design and aesthetic has inspired many innovative uses of travertine within modernist spaces.

Luxurious Architectural Uses of Travertine

An example of high design luxury, this travertine interior boasts a fireplace, walls, and floors covered in the beautiful stone. A lush interplay of monochrome and natural color and texture make this space delightfully stylish and design conscious, while subtly welcoming and cozy. 

Stone Staircases

Travertine Marble

Imagine a space transformed from ordinary residence layout to palatial modernism, simply through the use of travertine marble. From facades, countertops, walls of marble, floors and even staircases, the choice of this stone is a luxurious one, and has the elegance to become a central feature to any remodel or architectural design. The stone’s subtle color, patterning and natural beauty means it will endure throughout generations, styles and decorative trends.

A Timeless Element for Design

This lovely polished marble is beloved for its complexity of texture, naturally occurring patterns of color variations and subtle bands. It can be used to transform a simple kitchen into a picture of elegance…like we see in this gorgeous yet minimalist spaced featuring a layered combination of pales including Travertine Sterling, Dekton.

The truly enduring quality of travertine marble means you can pair it with modern furniture, eclectic artwork and various surface materials, including leather, wood and glass, whatever you choose it can bring a timeless beauty to your space and design. This stone transitions easily as well as the homeowner, restauranteur, or business owner changes his or her furnishings, decorations or tastes, acting as a miraculous stone canvas for creativity and new trends in design.

If you liked this article, you should check out our free guide on Stunning Kitchen Designs:

The Subtle Elegance of Crema Marfil Marble

Crema Marfil marble is a textured creamy beige stone with soft veins of color including tones of yellow, cinnamon, white and even goldish beige. Its warm yet pale color means it’s highly desirable, and as well quite adaptable for any sort of project: a monumental accent wall, or as a touch of elegance for a master shower. Recalling elegant palatial and civic architecture, it’s even used for exterior cladding, so it’s a choice for many an architect and designers these days. Like many marbles, Crema Marfil is in fact a limestone, and comes from vast quarries in Spain.

Crema Marfil has a distinctive pale background with touches of patterned color that make this elegant surface more refined and interesting. While the best of the stone tends to be uniform in color and grains, it has considerable variation, after all it is a naturally occurring stone, making it an artwork created from the earth. The marble is quarried from areas around Mount Coto and has wide ranging uses including creative tiles, backsplashes, and as well fine and elegant flooring. The subtle tone of this marble allows it to be a wonderful choice for modernist bathrooms and kitchens as well as the most classic of spaces that require a touch of natural stone.

A Modern Bathroom with Crema Marfil Marble Tile

Crema Marfil tile is a perfect accent for a modernist shower accented with stainless steel and black interior accents. A clean pale surface is often the marker of a lovely example of Crema Marfil, punctuated by subtle veining of color, rice like grains on occasion with white spots or flowered areas. A highly versatile stone this marble is used well in monochromatic spaces as well such as white kitchens that need an extra layer of depth and weight, a sort of monumental air of character. The marble comes in various finishes including highly polished, and is often used for architecture features interior and exterior, it’s particularly magestic for residential hallways, and business entrances as well.

Creative Interpretations of this Stone

Surface materials like Eternal Ivory offer us a new interpretation of the beauty and depth of Crema Marfil marble. This special stone offers a aoft orange veined on cream background, these tones allow a certain sophisticated warmth even to the most minimalist of spaces. Looks perfect with other whites, creams and gray cabinetry. Cleverly offset with grey hues, wood accents and marble flooring. Such a relaxing yet luxurious design offers bespoke beauty for the sophisticated homeowner.

World renown for its subtle pale color that has a special warmth to it, Crema Marfil marble is a wonderful stone that has a rare and special beauty, and looks wonderful in any interior. It combines well with other cream stones, and works beautifully as flooring, backsplashes, tiles and even countertops. Many contemporary architects pair the stone with dark accents including iron, wood and dramatic settings. It is also perfectly married to traditional spaces that require a special accent of sophisticated texture and sculptural beauty.

If you liked this article, you should have a look at our Guide on Stunning Kitchens:

Description

• Large grained
• Medium grained
• Small grained

Durability

Maintenance

Black galaxy granite countertops: Choosing quality

• Grade A – no lines
• Grade B – one or two black lines
• Grade C – more than two black lines
• Grade D – many black and white lines

1. Large galaxy
2. Medium galaxy
3. Small galaxy

• Even galaxy distribution
• Uneven galaxy distribution