‘architecten de vylder vinck taillieu’, the Ghent architects’ firm never fail to surprise with their specific vision, astounding choice of materials and applications. They have rock-solid belief in their choices and stand four-square behind each decision, even though they might appear experimental in nature to the uninitiated.

This did not escape the notice of the greater architectural community, as witnessed by the invitations from ‘La Biennale di Venezia’ and ‘Design Biennale Interieur’ in Kortrijk, Belgium.

Reflected landscape

The organisers of the ‘Biennale Interieur Kortrijk’ which runs from 15 to 24 October 2010, are inviting ‘architecten de vylder vinck taillieu’ to draw up the exhibition design. This means the design for the basic grid and the architectural supervision of the incorporation of all components for the Biennale. Their selection was followed by an intensive design process with the organisers.

‘The new world’ is the theme aimed at sustainability following recessionary times. ‘architecten de vylder vinck taillieu’ interpret this as a ‘reflection’, which they express in the ‘Rambla’, known as the central artery of the exhibition.

The ‘Rambla’ offers an outline view of the event. The intention of the architects was to break up the openness by creating compartments in the form of rooms. By cladding the walls with reflective surfaces the rooms are joined up again and a new openness is created for the visitor. Abet Laminati is supplying 400 sheets of ‘Print Metalli 880 Lucida’, a reflective laminate, for this design which will result in no less than 1,600 m² of reflective surface. The reflective surfaces enable the objects being exhibited to be viewed not only in isolation, but also against others, without losing sight of the effect of the visitor’s reflection. The slightly distorted reflection provides an added dimension that will leave an impression.

What is special about this application is that the reflective laminate is part and parcel of the ‘architecten de vylder vinck taillieu’ design rather than being exhibited as a stand-alone product. This allows the material to be itself, making it an ally of the creative process.

It goes without saying that Abet Laminati is also present as an exhibitor at Interieur 2010. The Abet Laminati stand No. 418 in Hall 4 has two backing walls set up in an L-shape which will be finished likewise in ‘Print Metalli 880 Lucida’ and thus create the effect of increased space while pointing simultaneously to the large-scale application in the Rambla. This gives Abet Laminati extreme visibility during this biennial feast of design and interior architecture.

Reflected insight

‘La Biennale di Venezia’ is already in its twelfth year as an architecture exhibition. It is being held from 29 August to 21 November 2010. An innovation this year is that a practising architect is being approached to conduct the selection of exhibitors. The choice fell to no less a person than Japanese architect Kazuyo Sejima, of architects’ firm SANAA. Some recent SANAA references ‘Prada Beauty’ in Hong Kong (China 2001), the Christian Dior building in Tokyo (Japan, 2003), the ‘Zollverein’ school in Essen (Germany, 2003) and the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York (USA, 2003). This year Kazuyo Sejima managed to secure the Pritzker architecture prize as well, which is sort of synonymous with the Nobel Prize, but in the field of architecture.

Kazuyo Sejima is the first female curator in the history of ‘La Biennale di Venezia’. She also devised the overarching title of ‘People meet in architecture’ for the event.

In February 2010 she invited ‘architecten de vylder vinck taillieu’ as one of 45 selected to take part in the Biennale. Her choice of ‘architecten de vylder vinck taillieu’ was based on their drawing technique and the detailed illustration of all their projects. Very special attention was devoted to the ORDOS 100 project in Mongolia (design by Ai Wei Wei Studio), where young architects were selected by Herzog & de Meuron to design a hundred dwellings with a different vision for each of them. The drawings by ‘architecten de vylder vinck taillieu’ are highly refined, which applies no less to their highly detailed models. This is what curator Kazuyo Sejima wanted to show at the 12^th Venice Biennale.

For ‘architecten de vylder vinck taillieu’ this meant that all the material would require reworking. The concept developed for the Biennale consists of the original drawing for the project and a 1:7 scale model, interpreted as a 3D drawing. It measures 318 x 318 x 170 cm. It is not the outside of the model that will catch the eye, rather a look inside through mirrors. In addition there is a copy of the model to a reduced scale of 1:100 and a series of plans and sketches.

The Roose&Ternier furniture workshop in Ghent built a plinth jointly with ‘architecten de vylder vinck taillieu’ for the planned reflective surface and the entire model. This was made of MDF finished in blue and red, the colours of the bricks used in China. Furthermore all the bricks were patiently and meticulously painted in by hand on the model. The model is raised on legs 70 cm above the reflective surface measuring 420 x 420 cm that affords onlookers a view of the interior. ‘Print Metalli 880 Lucida’, a reflective “mirrored” laminate from Abet Laminati range was utilised for the reflective surface. All the materials for ‘La Biennale di Venezia’ were shipped in 14 crates.

It was not possible to trial the concept in advance, which made erection in the magnificent historic ‘l’Arsenale’ in Venice all the more nail-biting. The protective film which adheres to the reflective laminate proved to have fulfilled its purpose perfectly. The reflective surface was absolutely intact after unpacking the crates and assembly in Venice. The reflective laminate exhibits a watery sheen, giving the image extra fascination. Moreover it also reflects the theatricality of the building in which the model is set up.

24 frames are being shown by way of explaining the model. They comprise 16 plan drawings and 8 sketches/perspective drawings done in ballpoint pen. The building actually consists of seven separate dwellings, 150 m² each, which assembled into a single unit. The plan drawings could not be printed out accurately enough in the format required for the frames, which is why ‘architecten de vylder vinck taillieu’ decided to print them out in fragments and then re-assemble them in layers one over another.

Websites
www.architectendvvt.com
www.labiennale.org
www.interieur.be

Bart Janssens, architect in ‘Architects in Motion’, an architects’ firm in Turnhout (Belgium), was commissioned by the ‘Pelckmans’ Pond & Garden Centre to develop a new branch in the Parklaan, Turnhout. Ten years ago this architect also designed the first branch for this family business in Lommel. A characteristic feature of his designs is a totally different look to a garden centre, in terms of both indoor perception and outward appearance. These are striking buildings, which invite discovery of what is inside, while at the same time being flexibly and universally thought out, such that they can be given a totally different purpose at some point in the future.

Uniform outward appearance

The client wanted to repeat the original concept that turned out to be so successful in Lommel and thus ensure uniformity in the outward appearance to the public. The materials selected are highly durable since they attract hardly any contamination and require minimal maintenance.

“In the design of a property such as this it is difficult to achieve any significant departure from the basic idea of a box on account of its practical operation” explains architect Bart Janssens. “This does not prevent us from giving it a specific outward appearance, certainly with the impressive façade width that is the case here. Furthermore, keeping within the client’s budget is as obvious a requirement as coming up with striking creative proposal.”

Creative eye-catcher

A 140 m in length, the north-facing outer wall is a very substantial feature. The original idea consisted of natural growth over the façade, which was not feasible however on account of the northerly aspect, which would have a detrimental effect on the chances of the vegetation surviving. Consideration was subsequently given to using etched glass, but it became evident that this would not produce the desired result either.

In the end it was decided to opt for HPL laminate façade cladding by Abet incorporating digital printing, known as ‘MEG Digital Print’. This would enable the original idea of natural growth to be taken up again. In order to ensure that the intended natural appearance was obtained, there was no question of applying a given motif repetitively to the façade surface. It was decided to take a life-size photo of natural foliage cover. The shot that was used as the basis to print out the MEG Digital Print façade sheets measured no less than 90 x 5 m! This basic image was then processed graphically in order to obtain the final images to personalise the MEG façade sheets, making each façade sheet unique. The specifications of the MEG Digital Print façade sheets comply with European quality standard EN 438 and are capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions and UV radiation.

The entrance conceals a particular subtlety: the image on the façade is extended seamlessly over the partition wall located further back which screens off the corridor providing access to the underground car park from the retail space. This required highly meticulous pre-processing of the digital files before being able to proceed with printing the subsequent extremely accurate cutting and reassembly of the coded MEG Digital Print sheets being delivered.

All MEG façade sheets are attached using special concealed screws to an aluminium Justimax support structure. The coded panels were fully assembled in just a day and a half.

Architect Bart Janssens: “The Abet Laminati MEG Digital Print façade sheets have enabled us to develop a creative and durable as well as budget-friendly eye-catcher for the building. Since the opening on 24 March 2010 this original billboard has been a topic of conversation for a great many passers-by and visitors. Once assembled the green pattern looked almost luminous.

It certainly doesn’t miss the target!”

The building

Pelckmans Turnhout Pond & Garden Centre was completed in less than eight months. It has an underground car park with over 2.60 m of headroom and space for some 420 cars. The car park is cast entirely in concrete.

Three water buffer tanks are buried at a depth of three metres below the car park with an overall capacity in excess of 500,000 litres. The stored water is used for the glasshouses and delays the overflow to the mains drainage.

Steel skeleton construction was chosen for the building, filled in with steel decking and insulated panels. The total usable floor space amounts to 27,000 m², 18,000 m² of which is the retail floor. The retail space is thermally insulated from the car park. A lighting concept was drawn up in partnership with Zumtobel aimed at minimal energy consumption. The determinant factors in this respect are the absence of halogen lighting, the use of high-output fluorescent lighting (T5) and lighting controlled by presence sensors outside the retail space.

Special attention was devoted to fire protection. The car park features smoke and heat extraction with sufficient capacity to enable smoke to be cleared after ten minutes. The entire retail space is equipped with a sprinkler system, supplemented by heat and smoke extractors, controlled by sensors for accurate detection of the area affected by fire.

The overall impression is one of spaciousness, inviting the visitor to explore the vast range on offer. Thus ‘The largest covered pond and garden centre in Belgium’ fulfils its functional role to the full.

On the occasion of the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, Abet Laminati participates to many Fuorisalone events placed in strategic points of Milan, the Italian capital of design.
At the premises of the Triennale di Milano, Abet Laminati participates with its materials to some interesting special events : SWAROVSKI Elements at work in collaboration with Konstantin Grcic and CAMPARITIVO in Triennale designed by Matteo Ragni

Preview Ænd! project by Vittorio Simoni for Abet Laminati at the occasion of the 21st Biennale Interieur 08 Kortrijk

The Italian manufacturer of high quality laminate, Abet Laminati, is announcing the end of its own product. No, the company is not stopping it, but has developed an accessory as simple as it is revolutionary: the new collection Ænd! ensures that you can now also get laminate panels on which the pattern has an end point. Previously the end of a pattern would coincide with the end of the laminate panel. In this way, designers now have extra possibilities for covering furniture or other objects creatively with laminate. The new concept was designed for Abet Laminati by Belgian architect and designer Vittorio Simoni, the man who among others drew for the Hasselt Fashion Museum. For the new Ænd! line Simoni has also created three of his own patterns based on concepts from the worlds of wine, fashion and music. Lingue de Simoni, as the range is called, embeds the names of wine varieties “Vino”, fashion cities “Moda” and music styles “Musica” within a decorative pattern that, as it should, now also has an end.

Biennale Interieur 08 Kortrijk 17-26 October 2008

Stand 416 – Halle 6

Collaboration with Belgian architect Vittorio Simoni results in revolutionary design

Abet Laminati is announcing the end of laminate. No, the company is not stopping it, at the 21^st International Biennale Interieur 08 in Kortrijk, it is even presenting a completely new product: Ænd! Literally: the end of laminate and the beginning of new design possibilities. For this Abet called on Belgian architect and designer Vittorio Simoni.

Halle 4 : Stand 416

17th – 26th October 2008 : 10 am – 6 pm

Xpo Kortrijk (Belgium)

ABET LAMINATI chooses the prism for its stand. The space is marked by hexagonal shapes, variable modules which define the environment.
The solid figure is the heart of the stand. The prism seems to rise following the law of continuity typical of the harmony of Nature that ABET LAMINATI honours for over 50 years.
The prisms, whose facets are entirely covered with the endless range of products by ABET, from New Wood to Musk, become metaphors of the shapes created by  Mother Earth: they come out from the ground to create new and captivating finishes for furniture.
Thanks to all the series of products by Abet, the monoliths are covered each time with different laminates and they become actors of a natural world: they evoke wood, stone, metal and so on.
On the walls some hexagons show the strength of the magnetic laminate, a particular laminate with magnetic attraction which, in glossy white and dull anthracite, can be used as a blackboard.
Among the wide range of products proposed at the Zow, the peculiarity of the different surfaces can be clearly noticed thanks to a perfect balance between shapes and colours.
ABET LAMINATI presents, with its own style, the strength of nature in an interplay of geometric elements.

ABET LAMINATI : Pavilion 6 / Stand C6

: the International Exhibition of Components and Accessories for the Furniture Industry

Fiera di Pordenone 15 – 18 October 2008
Every day 9.30 – 18.30 – Saturday 9.30 – 17.00

The constant dialogue between the world and culture of design led ABET LAMINATI to cooperate for the realization of the project Next Floor.

Designed by the architect Diego Grandi, Next Floor is a real installation: it has the structure of a lift realized by the firm Sele but it is also a work of art. The lift becomes a model of a world which is always changing.

Presented on the occasion of Abitare il Tempo, in the special section dedicated to Interior Architectures, the installation Next Floor has been chosen, together with other 11 projects, as the simulation of a domestic space, imagining possible and future scenarios for it.

Inside, Next Floor is covered with ABET laminates: Grainwood has been used for the walls and Diafos Digital Print for the ceiling. The latter is a special laminate which allows light, both artificial and natural, to filter. Lots of small green leaves have been printed on this laminate, according to the designer’s instructions. These wants to give the idea of an open sky above us. A real branch stretches from one side of the lift to the other: this is a strange element which suggests the idea of an enchanted world, a surreal place.  

The designer considers the lift as a world on its own, a place which allows, through a vertical movement, to travel in time and space. Diego Grandi, designer and teacher in important Italian Institutes, enlarges the boundaries of this object: it sets new scenarios. The lift becomes an open container able to symbolize different places, sometimes even enchanted ones. 

The sense of claustrophobia which sometimes characterizes the lift is not felt here; the vertical box opens its boundaries: from a microenvironment it becomes an endless variety of microcosms.

Push the button! 

Diego Grandi 

Diego Grandi was born in Rimini in 1970, he lives and works in Milan, where he got a degree in Architecture and has been working since 1997. As a designer he is specialized in interior and surface design. From 2000 to 2002 he cooperated with Calatroni Studio.

In 2002 he set up DGO, a design studio of interior, product design and visual consultancy.

Since 2003 he has worked with Lea Ceramiche and since 2005 with Deroma Group, being in charge of the products development and the corporate image.

He takes part in shows and exhibitions in Italy and abroad and he has cooperated and still cooperates with several companies such as Abet Laminati, Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere, Coin Casa Design, Deroma, Guzzini, Lea Ceramiche, Ivano Redaelli, Jannelli & Volpi, Stephan Janson, Teracrea, Ycami.

Beside being a designer, he is a teacher at the European Institute of Design, Istituto Marangoni, Politecnico di Milano (University of engineering and architecture), Scuola Politecnica di Design, Naba.

ABITARE IL TEMPO 

Interior Architectures, pav. 8 and 9 

Verona Fair District
V.le del Lavoro 8 – 37135 VERONA

18-22 September 2008
9.30-18.00 – Sunday 9.00-18.30

Venue : Triennale di Milano from 16 until 21st of April 2008.  How to get there ?

Exhibitions and events in La Triennale di Milano during Salone del Mobile