FIANDRE ARCHITECTURAL SURFACES HEADQUARTERS

Restyling that focuses on the quality of work spaces and people’s well-being. The historical Fiandre headquarters in Castellarano – covering 2,400 m2 over three floors have been completely redesigned and renovated by Iosa Ghini Associati, the renowned architecture and interior design firm that also created bespoke furnishings and complements for the office building. Designed in 1989 by the architect Quintilio Prodi, with Carlo Cattani and Giovanni Bisi, the building architecture still offers a high visual impact today, with its vaguely post-modern combination of shapes and coverings.

Rethinking office spaces means going beyond the issue of work space to define new paradigms of sustainable change in relation to the needs of people, both employees and stakeholders. The restyling of the Castellerano site moves in this direction, yet also follows the evolution of Fiandre which, consistently with the new statement – for unique expressions – stands out for its ability to create tailored ceramic solutions that respond to the consumers’ desire for uniqueness.

From the permeability of the spaces, with glass walls to let natural light into the offices and common areas, to the soundproofing, the permeability of the spaces, with glass walls to let natural light into the offices and common areas following colour therapy principles: the whole restyling project speaks of comfort and attention to the people working there. In line with Fiandre’s ability to produce well-being through materials, pursuing a new concept of architecture thought not only in aesthetic terms but also closer to real human needs, many sustainable and pioneering applications using innovative technologies were used in the interiors, underlining the performance of Iris Ceramica Group ceramic surfaces.

Active Surfaces® certainly play a key role in the new interior layout, laid on the floors throughout the headquarters, on the office desks and meeting tables, as well as in the bar area, including the counter and coffee tables, and the serving areas.

Active Surfaces® floors cover the whole basement, combining Pietra Grey and Seminato Beige from the Il Veneziano collection. The surfaces in the Pulsar full-bodied collection in the reception perfectly match the Active Surfaces® Veneziano terrazzo effect chosen for the bar area furnishings.
In addition, the bespoke bathroom furnishings were made using Invisible Maximum surfaces in the Active Surfaces® version, while the desks in the offices - designed to stimulate people's productivity and well-being - were made with 12 mm SapienStone Platinum White Active Surfaces®, to ensure full hygiene and strength.
The table tops in the meeting areas, including the two main areas in the basement and the two meeting rooms on each floor, were made using 20 mm 4D SapienStone. In particular, all the surfaces in the colour Calacatta were chosen in the Active Surfaces® version. The bar counter and the coffee table tops in the reception area opposite the bar are also covered in Veneziano Active in colour Beige.
This project is a perfect example of the integration of the innovative Active Surfaces® technology with the Group’s other advanced solutions, including the SapienStone 4D ceramics – an aesthetically advanced material in which the "fourth dimension" is sustainability – and the Hypertouch® smart surface, which, simply by touching it lightly, activates an integrated system of home automation sensors that exalt the design and continuity of the material.
Furthermore, in relation to project sustainability, the Chemistry Department of the University of Milan has calculated - using 5,058 m2 of Active Surfaces® in the building, also considering the use of LED lighting - an estimated benefit in terms of NOx reduction of 6.0 Kg/year, equal to 3,800 m2 of green areas and over 10,000 m3 of air purified of VOCs and odours per day. In addition to their sophisticated design, these innovative surfaces meet the need for safety and well-being, and are the ideal solution for offices and other spaces that require constant hygiene and cleanliness.

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