Dekton Ukiyo: Cosentino’s New Material Collection Celebrates the Aesthetic Wisdom of Japan
CategoriesArchitecture

Dekton Ukiyo: Cosentino’s New Material Collection Celebrates the Aesthetic Wisdom of Japan

Most people who love design also love Japan. In fact, it is impossible to truly appreciate the modern history of Western art and design without recognizing Japan’s influence. From the woodblock prints of Hiroshige that inspired Van Gogh to the Zen tea rooms that laid the foundation for minimalist architecture, Japanese aesthetics paved the way for modernism.

It is not just that Japanese design is beautiful. The nation has a long tradition of thinking carefully about aesthetics, and how the contemplation of beauty contributes to human flourishing. Consider the concept of wabi-sabi, or the art of imperfection, that was recently explored in an Architzer op-ed. Centuries before American architects lamented the homogeneity of the clean and orderly suburbs, Japanese philosophers recognized the paradoxical truth about beauty: that it requires flaws.

Dekton Ukiyo NACRE. Image courtesy Cosentino

It is this aspect of Japanese aesthetics — the theoretical side — that most inspired world-renowned interior designer Claudia Afshar in the development of her new collaborative collection with Cosentino, Ukiyo. The tagline for the series is “The Inner Texture,” which speaks to the Japanese understanding of interior design as an art that evokes a mental atmosphere of inner serenity. In the Japanese tradition, beauty and well-being go hand in hand.

The collaboration consists of a series of new patterns and textures for Cosentino’s versatile Dekton surfaces, a product we love and have profiled many times in the past. Scratch resistant, stain resistant, and able to endure the elements, Dekton is the surface of choice for designers looking for a material that is both resilient and visually alluring. The introduction of Dekton into the marketplace in 2013 completely upended the old conventional wisdom that natural materials are more beautiful than composites.

With Ukiyo, Claudia Afshar showcases the extraordinary potential of Dekton. Most Westerners recognize the term ukiyo as referring to a genre of woodblock prints that flourished in the 19th century, epitomized by the work of artists like Hokusai and Hiroshige. But in the promotional materials for this new collection, Afshar and Cosentino have chosen to emphasize the literal meaning of this term, listing the dictionary definition on the top of the collaboration webpage: “[u-key-yo], Japanese, (n). Living in the moment, detached from the bothers of life. ‘The floating world.’” The idea is drawn from Zen. It means that paradise is always at hand; all it takes is a choice to live in the moment.

Dekton Ukiyo KRETA. Image courtesy Cosentino

In a recent webinar hosted by Architizer, Cosentino’s Lauren Dron quoted Coco Chanel’s statement that “An interior is the natural projection of the soul”, emphasizing the depth of the question architects and designers must ask every time they take on a project. “Meaningful design in the built environment continues to be rooted in our minds and in our emotions,” she declared. “Design is a reflection and enhancement of the human experience.”

This second part — enhancement  — is key, and it is the place where architects can really have an impact on the world. In a social environment dominated by stress, conflict, and speed, architects can create environments of serenity and calm. They can remind people that “the floating world” is alway at hand if one is willing to adjust their perspective.

This, then, is the noble aim of Ukiyo, which features textures and colors that are simple, yet rich. As lush as any natural stone, and as meditative as a pool of still water, these surfaces bring serenity into all sorts of interiors, from domestic to commercial. Each Dekton color features the same delicate ribbed texture, which is reminiscent of the wood slats one often finds in Japanese homes. The texture also evokes the delicate patterns one finds raked into the sands of Zen gardens.

There are two different options when it comes to the size and spacing of the grooves. Ukiyo GV2 is wider, with 25 mm slats and grooves that are 5 mm wide and 3 mm deep. GV3 is finer, with 11 mm slats and grooves that are 4 mm wide and 4 mm deep.

Dekton Ukiyo BROMO. Image courtesy Cosentino

BROMO is the first color in the series. It is described as “a dark gray shade inspired by slate featuring subtle faded graphics and a carefully crafted texture with a natural aesthetic.” The graphics are really key here. The material is actually deeper and richer than slate, yet it has the same soothing matte finish, exuding sophistication.

The next color, KRETA, is inspired by concrete, a material that retains modernist cache despite its ubiquity. Some of the most lyrical architecture ever made with raw concrete was created by Japanese architects, including Tadao Ando. Cosentino notes that KRETA can “create lighter or darker spaces.” In this way, it  plays off the light conditions in its environment, just like real concrete — a true neutral.

NACRE and REM are both shades of cream or beige. NACRE is the lighter of the two, and can even be considered an off-white. It is a great choice for designers looking for a minimalist finish but wary of stark brightness. This tone is both light and warm. REM has a similar impact but is marked by more dramatic veining patterns. There is a luxe quality here that is perfect for commercial interiors.

Dekton Ukiyo UMBER. Image courtesy Cosentino

Finally there is UMBER, the most adventurous and unique color in the series. It is hard to look at this delicately textured terracotta without imagining the rooms one could create with this tone. Unlike the other colors, which are notable for their versatility, UMBER is a showstopper. It is the kind of color you build a room around.

Ukiyo is a truly inspiring series of surfaces. It is also ethically manufactured. Dekton is  the only “Cradle-to-Grave Carbon Neutral surface” as Cosentino offsets 100% of their CO2 emissions over the product’s life cycle. This too is very Zen. Dekton exists in harmony with its surroundings.

To learn more about Dekton Ukiyo and talk with Cosentino about how to integrate it into your next project, visit their website.

Reference

maayaa retreat in south india reflects tropical modern aesthetic
CategoriesArchitecture

maayaa retreat in south india reflects tropical modern aesthetic

MAAYAA tropical retreat draws from Balinese architecture

 

Architectural studio aslam sham architects constructs MAAYAA, a Balinese-themed getaway nestled within a lush palm plantation. Located just an hour’s drive from Coimbatore, at the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the retreat showcases earthy tones and textures, instilling a sense of calm. The spaces are designed to evoke an eye-soothing serenity, as pathways adorned with verdant foliage exude tranquility and elegance.

 

Aiming to encapsulate Bali’s essence, MAAYAA’s design forms around tropical modernism. Perched in Anakkatti and embraced by the converging Siruvani and Bhavani Rivers, the building is set atop a cliff with river vistas. The resort’s core design objective is to amplify and preserve the surrounding scenery.

maayaa retreat in south india reflects tropical modern aesthetic
all images by Ishi Sitwala

 

 

fluid transition between the built and the land

 

With most of the construction situated below the entrance level, visitors descend to these spaces, greeted by shallow, expansive water bodies integrated into the roof slabs. This fluid transition through the entrance passage leads to the restaurant, where panoramic views of the river and distant mountains unfold.

 

The lower floors house banquet halls, conference rooms, and offices, while the lowest level boasts an infinity pool seamlessly blending with the landscape. The design team achieves a harmonious fusion between architecture and nature, creating an environment where boundaries blur between built and natural elements. The resort consists of two types of accommodations; standard rooms with river-view balconies, and independent cottages featuring plunge pools that overlook both the river and the hinterland. These structures follow the natural contours of the land, interconnected by passages and bridges at various levels, conveniently linked to the clubhouse and communal amenities. Drawing from Balinese architecture, the chosen materials and design vocabulary mirror the tropical retreat concept, paying homage to the region’s aesthetic.

maayaa retreat in south india reflects tropical modern aesthetic
the Balinese-themed getaway nestled within a lush palm plantation

maayaa retreat in south india reflects tropical modern aesthetic
MAAYAA’s design forms around the concept of tropical modernism



Reference

7 Restaurants Serving Up an Industrial Aesthetic
CategoriesArchitecture

7 Restaurants Serving Up an Industrial Aesthetic

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletter.    

Unfinished concrete surfaces, metal pipes, visible ducts, high ceilings and exposed structural systems are common sights in old factories and warehouses. However, in recent years, we have seen an increasing demand for this aesthetic in both residential and commercial spaces. Those remodeling old warehouses or pre-war buildings into homes have been choosing to preserve elements of their older structures. Some offices are incorporating similar design elements to make their spaces more trendy, and less clinical or formal.

The industry that has seen a massive adoption of this trend is the hospitality sector, especially in the past two decades. Restaurants and bars across the world are taking cues from old factories and playing with unfinished surfaces, metallic accents, industrial lights and heavy-duty hardware to create an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and modern. Designers have found several ways to soften these harsh materials and craft spaces that are welcoming. Below are just a few examples.

Images by Mikael Axelsson

USINE by Studio Richard Lindvall, Stockholm, Sweden

It is hard to tell that this restaurant and meeting area was once a sausage factory. The remodeled space combines Scandinavian minimalism with a more industrial aesthetic, while also referencing hotels in Shanghai, New York and Amsterdam. Materials like concrete, galvanized steel and black cast iron are softened with cognac leather and maple wood. All the ventilation systems are left exposed and painted in white. Light fixtures with bold black details are juxtaposed against this lighter canvas to strengthen the aesthetic.

Spokane Steam Plant by HDG Architecture, Spokane, Washington

This restaurant design is conscious of the century-long history of the steam plant in Spokane. The metal columns and beams are not only left exposed but also painted in black to have them blend ini. These structural details are joined by black-tinted furniture, mesh-covered concrete walls, metal-backed chairs and dramatic pendant lights. Furthermore, the studio also used copper-toned pipes to create a drink dispenser at the bar.

Bicycle Thieves by Pierce Widera, Northcote, Australia

Named after the best-known film of Italian neorealism, this eatery is a lighter and fresher take on the traditional industrial style.  It references the late 1940s (when the film was released) with the use of mid-century modern materials and details. Suspended lighting acts as dividers, breaking up the open plan into smaller seating areas. Linear pendant lights are used above the bar, Globe lights over the communal tables and track lights around the periphery where the smaller tables are placed. Exposed concrete and cement finishes cove the walls, columns, floors as well as the ceiling.

Images by Dirk Weiblen

Tribeca by Linehouse, Shanghai, China

The New York-style gastropub evokes images of drinks with friends, city streets and late-night food cravings. The ceiling drops down in different parts to separate spaces. White false ceilings form the periphery whereas a suspended shelf canopy hangs over the bar. Mirror bulbs frame the entire space to infuse old-world glamour.

Restaurant & Bar Nazdrowje by Studio Richard Lindvall, Stockholm, Sweden

Minimal, raw and timeless: these words encapsulate the essence of Nazdrowje. The restaurant was initially a parking lot and the studio decided to use the natural atmosphere of the space as inspiration for the final design. Concrete is the predominant material in the space. The light grey concrete seats were cast and mounted directly into the walls, tying them with the concrete floors. The space also includes a large copper fireplace and visible copper pipes throughout.

Images by Andres Martellini

Victoria Brown Bar & Restaurant by Hitzig Militello arquitectos, Buenos Aires, Argentina

The bar has the mysteriousness of a speakeasy and the flash and flair of a private social club from the 19th century. Staying true to the theme, it also features a secret entrance through a coffee shop in the front. The space evokes nostalgia with a combination of elements like aging barrels, uneven brick walls, rich leather, vintage seating and suspended light bulbs. In one room, scissor screens break up the larger area into intimate pockets for small groups.

Industrial Brewery Pub in Saigon by T3 Architects, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The studio wanted to adopt the industrial aesthetic from 20th century Europe given that the brewery serves Belgian beers and food. Traditional European elements have been given a tropical twist by using local ventilation mechanisms and ceiling fans. The design also uses second-hand bricks sourced locally to reduce the carbon footprint. Pops of green, black and white posters and photographs, hanging backpacks and a suspended motorcycle also bring in the humorous side of the Belgian culture.

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletter.    

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