Project Name: Bespoke Romance Showroom
Architecture Firm: Paolo Cesaretti Arch
Lead Architects: Paolo Cesaretti
Design Team: Paolo Cesaretti, Marianna Cristofaro, Francesca Maioli
Clients: Kale Group
Contractor: La Bottega
Completion Year: 2019
Gross Built Area: 700 sqm
Project location: Bologna, Italy
Photo credits: Lorenzo Pennati, Luca Rotondo
Text and photos provided by Paolo Cesaretti Arch
The Bespoke Romance Showroom has been awarded by Red Dot Award 2020 for Communication Design
Mastery, Design, Uniqueness, our practice has transformed the three key concepts assigned by Kale Group – worldwide leading brand of ceramic materials – into a minimal geometric shape. The symbol of infinity is the design inspiration for this temporary showroom. Two merging circles representing perfection and durability create the rounded bold enclosure.
Due to pure architectural shapes enhanced by a theatrical use of light, the entire Bespoke Romance showroom space is characterized by a metaphysical atmosphere. Displays evoke domestic and commercial spaces arranged on a loop path. Decorative tableaux made of cut-out ceramic tiles stand against walls and floors. The spacious lounge is an additional attractive space, designed as an hybrid meeting space merging an elegant metropolitan bar with an informal space dedicated to collective work.
The outer elevations are made of hundreds of individually standing Kalesinterflex slabs, a large format tile with minimum thickness. Due to its versatility Kalesinterflex also is used at the heart of the exhibition space, to design a full domestic interior, composed of kitchen, living room and bathroom.
Around this central element, with the aim to disrupt the general perception of ceramic tiles just as mere solid building material, we designed an interactive installation. Poetic and ironic, this became an attractor for the visitors, engaged with and informed about this material in a new different way.
