“Fractile” from ceramic-company Casalgrande Padana and architect Daniel Libeskind: playing with geometry and glazed surfaces

“Fractile” by Casalgrande Padana and Daniel Libeskind.

Geometry is an interesting topic for the stone sector, we had claimed a while back. These days, Italian Casalgrande Padana company sent us a press release about its new “Fractile” collection which gives the standard rectangle tile for façades a new overlapping design:

Daniel Libeskind and Casalgrande Padana have joined forces to create “Fractile”, a unique collection of porcelain stoneware tiles that embodies the magic of fractal mathematics, beyond the borders of mathematics and imagination.

The exclusive three-dimensional porcelain stoneware tiles are the result of a sophisticated industrial procedure, which includes glazing and firing processes at 1250 °C, using select mixtures of clays, quartzes and feldspars, which provide a colour-changing effect while ensuring the highest quality, resistance and durability.

The “Fractile” tiles made their debut in 2013 at Bologna Water Design, where they were used to clad Pinnacle, an installation placed in the 16th century Cortile del Priore at former maternity hospital to pay tribute to the verticality of medieval Bologna, its towers and historical buildings.

A geometric relief pattern and a metalescent surface finish provide the tile with an unexpected sense of movement under the light. This deconstruction and reconstruction of luminous reflexes enhances the whole architectural envelope.

Casalgrande Padana

Sapphire, Berlin, Chausseestraße 43

Photos: Casalgrande Padana

“Sapphire” is a building by Daniel Libeskind in Berlin with a ventilated façade clad with “Fractile” tiles.“Sapphire” is a building by Daniel Libeskind in Berlin with a ventilated façade clad with “Fractile” tiles.

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(31.05.2020, USA: 05.31.2020)