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Casalgrande Padana Launches KPF’s City Collection at Salone del Mobile in Milan

Ceramics have a rich history in interiors.

KPF’s intention was to create a modern material expression, authentic to the manufacturing process, with the desirable characteristics of man-made ceramics but the aesthetic qualities of a natural stone. From a distance, the tiles in the collection are perceived as finely-grained surfaces, with subtle variations in colour and texture. When viewed at close range, it is possible to discern the underlying geometric patterns that create this effect.

The collection, designed for the contract interior market, draws inspiration from four major cities that the practice knows intimately: New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai and London. Building on the work undertaken by the practice in each city, the designers interrogated these urban centres at the macro and micro scale, to capture a subjective experience of each place. Through reference to the distinctive character, materials, forms and textures of these international cities, momentary fragments of urban experiences and moments are recreated in a graphic style.

The patterns and textures developed by KPF evolved through an interrogation of the nature of each city at various scales. This research went through a subsequent process of simplification and abstraction to create textured surfaces which combine the characteristics of a natural material with the unique qualities that can be achieved with ceramics. A collection that can be used in a wide range of interiors, for a broad appeal.

New York: In New York, the urban grid and high-rise buildings mean that the experience of the street is often defined by single point perspectives. For the tiles, the effect of the architectural experience is abstracted into a simple geometry, with diagonal banding articulated by verticals. The effect is evocative of New York’s energy and rhythm, to create a cinematic effect.

London: In London, where 40% of the city is open space, the designers were inspired by natural forms. Looking at the textures and colours of the parks, gardens and squares to create an organic motif, abstracted from tree bark and rationalised to create a repeating pattern, layered over a light stone texture that references the Portland stone and London Stock bricks London is famous for.

Hong Kong: In Hong Kong, density and verticality dominates the urban experience, the repetition of tower block facades generates an intense pattern that is both recognisable and abstract. A gridded pattern was developed for the tiles, the rhythm broken with subtle irregularities and variations, layered over an abstracted granite background, which references the surrounding mountains.

Shanghai: In Shanghai, the faceted geometry of roofscape in historic districts, the result of a gradual accumulation of buildings over many years, contrasts with the international character of financial districts. For the tiles, roofscapes are abstracted into interlocking rhomboids, horizontal and diagonal lines add articulation and a stone texture creates variation beneath the continuous pattern.

Casalgrande Padana Launches KPF’s City Collection at Salone del Mobile in Milan

Details

  • Via Statale, 467/73, 42013 Casalgrande RE, Italy
  • Casalgrande Padana spa