Crazy Counters: Caesarstone presents 'Islands' by Raw Edges

As part of their ongoing commitment to creating new platforms for design, Caesarstone has collaborated with London design studio Raw Edges to produce Islands. The brief was to re-examine the domestic environment and the use of surface. With their signature creativity, Raw-Edges transforms the surface into the structure itself. Available in a range of sizes and proportions, Islands is designed for different functions within the home.



Veering away from the common modular system, Islands reshapes the typical interior arrangement by positioning the working surface as the binding element of its design. A display of cabinetry, appliances or separate units is slotted into voids within the surface itself instead of being placed atop or around it. Islands offers a new take on a variety of domestic spaces: kitchens, bathrooms and spaces whose surfaces answer more emotional domestic needs such as a space to play and a space to display objects.



Raw-Edges investigates the interaction between different sizes, materials, colours and textures within the interior space. Inspiration is drawn from Caesarstone's Classico collection and in particular from its 2014 Supernatural designs, whose countertops star as the focal point of Islands. The surfaces' strength, durability, textures and natural looking designs complement the different materials from which the separate units are made, such as reclaimed wood, terracotta, glass and other materials found in a domestic environment. The design celebrates the daily function, origin and importance of the units which are commonly hidden away behind a unified façade.




Raw-Edges founders Yael Mer and Shay Alkalay describe Islands as: “a great opportunity to experiment with everyday areas like kitchens and bathrooms. We always strive towards the alternative, the humorous and always question the traditional approach to design.” They add: “If in a common kitchen the surface is only a top layer that covers the kitchen units, here we would like to propose the surface as the core of the kitchen which holds the different elements together in quite an unexpected way.”



Eli Feiglin, VP of marketing at Caesarstone remarks: "Caesarstone is continuously seeking new and creative ways in which to reaffirm its position as a global trendsetter and leader in the industry. We are proud to work with a designer who rethinks the domestic environment, explores the surfaces' unique properties and who may enhance them with a creative exploration of colours and materials."



The following video was created with miniature models:


Video credits:
Client: Caeserstone
Designers: Yael Mer & Shay Alkalay
Scale Models: Raw Edges Design Studio
Production: Seeing The Brick Motion Studio
Director: Maarten Vranken
DOP: Gunter Blokken & Maarten Vranken
Animators: Maarten Vranken & Jan Kegels
Music & SFX: Jeroen De Meyer
2014 © Seeing The Brick Motion Studio

Caesarstone will present a further exploration of Islands with an interactive installation focusing on food and dining within the domestic environment.



• Islands by Raw Edges for Casaerstone will be presented at Palazzo Criveli Via Clerici 5, Milan
• Opening times April 9-13, 10AM - 6PM,
• April 8- late night preview 10AM - 8PM

info and images courtesy of Caesarstone, and the Instagram photos used in this post are from from the preview at the Interior Design Show in Toronto and are courtesy of Caesarstone CA.


Caesarstone
Raw Edges

Z. Island. A Kitchen Collaboration Between Zaha Hadid, Ernestomeda and Corian.

The multi-sensorial kitchen


"Z.Island" is not simply a project created in order to astonish people and make them talk. The kitchen area conceived by architect Zaha Hadid in collaboration with Ernestomeda and DuPont brings with it concrete innovations that will be useful for future production and that involve the processing of the materials, the structural organisation and the integration of advanced technologies.




Malleable materials, fluid environment
Corian®, the raw material used for the creation, is an exceptionally malleable element that is perfect for meeting the creative requirements of an architect renowned for the complexity of her designs. No longer restricted to isolated elements, such as the worktops or sinks, Corian® has now been used to create an entire kitchen structure (split into two blocks, which are at the same time functional, compact and sleek) and an extensive modular range of cupboards and panelling. The surface is translucent, smooth and fluid, and is as pleasant to look at as it is to touch.




Sophisticated instruments
The cooking island (with hob and hotplate) is extended and curves along the right hand edge; the washing island (with sink, draining area and completely hidden built-in dishwasher) is hexagonal and compact.



The horizontal surface of the former is provided with a scrolling LED script, while there is also a spotlight, an LCD screen and, slightly lower down, an mp3 player, two USB ports and a CD or DVD player. The central working area houses an induction hob, a food preparation area and a hotplate built into the Corian® worktop. Finally, from here it is possible to release special fragrances through three aromatic scent dispensers to permeate throughout the entire kitchen area.

Wall panelling


Complementary wall-mounted cupboards and wall panelling are available: the former made using shaped wavy doors in Corian®, set into an aluminium frame. The wall panels, instead, (alternate flat and shaped Corian® surfaces produced by means of a heat-shaping system) incorporate an advanced sound system and sophisticated LED panel: thus each panel becomes an original source of sounds, music and coloured lights that can filter through the material in the desired sequence.

The touch control panel
Now, sensorial involvementis complete: whoever is doing the cooking can, if they so wish, navigate on the web, download e-mail, watch a film or set up a programme of songs to listen to. Not only: by the use of lighting sequences and the measured release of aromatic essences appropriate for the occasion, it is possible to create fascinating and customised environmental effects.




All the programming is done through a control panel, of the "touch control" type, situated at the centre of the “cooking” area (lit by blue LEDs), from where it is simple to access the kitchen’s multitude of functions.

"Z.Island" at the New York Guggenheim
In 2006 "Z.Island" kitchen has been at the New York Guggenheim Museum’s monographic hall dedicated to the work of Zaha Hadid. In this prestigious venue this extraordinary project has found an ideal exhibition context amongst magnificent paintings, adventurous designs, photos and furnishings that bear testimony of and illustrate the visionary world of this, the only woman ever to have been awarded the Pritzker Prize for architecture.

Z.Island is available on demand at Ernestomeda
Related Links:

• Zaha Hadid
  (http://www.zaha-hadid.com)
• DuPont
  (http://www2.dupont.com)
• Guggenheim Museum’s
  (http://www.guggenheim.org)
• Pritzker Prize
  (http://www.pritzkerprize.com)

Curvalinear Collaborative Kitchens - La Cucina Alessi.

La Cucina Alessi is a full range of kitchen furniture and product designs that are a collaborative effort between Alessi, Valcucine and Oras. The kitchens are designed by Alessandro Mendini for ALESSI, the furniture and hoods are produced by Valcucine, and the faucets by Oras.


above: kitchen sketches by Alessandro Mendini

The counter tops, cabinetry, and laminates (patterned and solid) are modern and functional. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, the kitchen designs have ample workspace, smart storage solutions and are easy to clean for the serious cook. There are lots of thoughtful and unique design touches as well.


above: The Oras kitchen faucet designed by Alessandro Mendini has a high, figurative spout leaving ample space for working. The faucet is also available with a dishwasher valve.

Two of the range hoods produced by Valcucine:



The curvalinear cabinets, countertops and islands are available in glass, steel or laminate with organic curves and elegant lines. Combined with the hoods and faucets, they are a stunning synthesis of design. Rather than bore you with written specifics, let me wow you with photos.

Glass:








Laminate:







Optional patterns for the laminate cabinetry:


Steel:










Some thoughtful details:




And lots of possible configurations:

All products of LA CUCINA ALESSI are produced under license of ALESSI Spa.

Alessi Spa via Privata Alessi 6
28887 Crusinallo (VB) Italy
www.alessi.com
info@alessi.com


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