1. ArchDaily
  2. Porcelain

Porcelain: The Latest Architecture and News

Sustainable Design and Technology: The Use of Porcelain Surfaces in a Luxury Building in Dubai

 | Sponsored Content

When it comes to buildings, there are several factors that contribute to creating something truly luxurious: attention to detail, use of premium, high-quality materials, and unique designs. Lately, the environmental impact of building decisions has also entered heavily into this equation, and the development of a luxury project requires all steps and products to take sustainability into account. At One Za'abeel, the new addition to the Dubai skyline, the careful choice of all solutions, manufacturers and surfaces had a direct influence on the final look and atmosphere of the building, which aims to be an urban landmark and raise the standard of buildings in the UAE.

Take Off Your Shoes: 5 Floors to Experience Barefoot

The skin absorbs matter, and the world is contemplated, touched, heard, and measured through our bodily existence. Juhani Pallasmaa, a Finnish architect known for propagating sensory architecture, defends the notion that, unlike vision, touch is the sense of proximity, becoming a main axis by covering the entire body. It is a fact that, when speaking of touch, the first image that comes to mind is usually contact with hands. However, there are other ways to feel architecture that can be developed in projects, such as the touch of bare feet on a particular surface.

Take Off Your Shoes: 5 Floors to Experience Barefoot - Image 1 of 4Take Off Your Shoes: 5 Floors to Experience Barefoot - Image 2 of 4Take Off Your Shoes: 5 Floors to Experience Barefoot - Image 3 of 4Take Off Your Shoes: 5 Floors to Experience Barefoot - Image 4 of 4Take Off Your Shoes: 5 Floors to Experience Barefoot - More Images+ 13

Innovative Ceramic Surfaces for a Healthy Return to Movie Theaters

 | Sponsored Content

In the context of the pandemic, where several businesses were forced to close temporarily, movie theaters across the world were among the most affected. Fast forward more than two years later, and the lingering effects of COVID-19 are still present, marking a turning point in the traditional cinema experience. But even as attendance is still not close to pre-pandemic levels, certain segments of moviegoers are enjoying the benefits of the giant screen, comfortable seats, massive speaker systems and theater snacks.

How to Choose Kitchen Countertops: Advantages, Disadvantages and Inspiration

One of the most practical and functional spaces of any residential project is the kitchen. Its artificial surfaces – be it countertops, kitchen benches, or coverings – contain most of the space's equipment. Thus, it’s essential to build kitchens with the most resistant and hygienic materials. Aside from these requirements, it's also important to pay attention to aesthetics and profitability, while adapting the space to the dynamics of each family. 

How to Choose Kitchen Countertops: Advantages, Disadvantages and Inspiration - Image 1 of 4How to Choose Kitchen Countertops: Advantages, Disadvantages and Inspiration - Image 2 of 4How to Choose Kitchen Countertops: Advantages, Disadvantages and Inspiration - Image 3 of 4How to Choose Kitchen Countertops: Advantages, Disadvantages and Inspiration - Image 4 of 4How to Choose Kitchen Countertops: Advantages, Disadvantages and Inspiration - More Images+ 33

Designing Ventilated Façades Using 3.5 mm Porcelain Tiles

The ventilated façade is a construction solution that uses a double enclosure distanced from each other by a support structure to generate an air chamber for ventilation. This operation creates a chimney effect that activates air currents by convection, improving the acoustic and thermal insulation of the building, and increasing its energy efficiency.

Due to its nature and manufacturing, the 3.5 mm porcelain tile is a great choice for ventilated façade cladding. Its high resistance to weathering, dimensional stability, and lightness reduce the support structure requirements. It weighs 3 times less than a traditional porcelain tile and allows large formats, up to 3.6 meters, reducing the number of joints. It also delivers high color stability, impact resistance, and low maintenance over time.

Designing Ventilated Façades Using 3.5 mm Porcelain Tiles - Image 1 of 4Designing Ventilated Façades Using 3.5 mm Porcelain Tiles - Image 2 of 4Designing Ventilated Façades Using 3.5 mm Porcelain Tiles - Image 3 of 4Designing Ventilated Façades Using 3.5 mm Porcelain Tiles - Image 4 of 4Designing Ventilated Façades Using 3.5 mm Porcelain Tiles - More Images+ 24

Temporary Porcelain Clad Pavilion Addresses The Notion of Ornamentation in Architecture

Temporary Porcelain Clad Pavilion Addresses The Notion of Ornamentation in Architecture - Image 5 of 4
Courtesy of Alexander Wolhoff

The Pavilion d’Eau, designed by EPFL architecture student Alexander Wolhoff, was constructed in Lake Geneva, Switzerland. The pavilion is a product of six months of research, prototyping, and coordination with different local and academic organizations done in conjunction with LHT3 labs. The exterior of the octagon pavilion has a structural aesthetic, while the interior -- only accessed by wading in the water -- is ornamental, clad in handmade ceramic tiles.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site municipality of Saint-Saphorin en Lavaux allowed for the temporary pavilion in the waters of Lake Geneva. The project is designed to touch the landscape lightly, not affecting the natural lake bed. The pavilion is comprised of materials including lake stones, wood, and porcelain tiles. To ensure a minimal and reversible impact on the site, the footings of the pavilion are made of seven gabions, metal cages filled with stones collected from the lake.

Temporary Porcelain Clad Pavilion Addresses The Notion of Ornamentation in Architecture - Image 1 of 4Temporary Porcelain Clad Pavilion Addresses The Notion of Ornamentation in Architecture - Image 2 of 4Temporary Porcelain Clad Pavilion Addresses The Notion of Ornamentation in Architecture - Image 3 of 4Temporary Porcelain Clad Pavilion Addresses The Notion of Ornamentation in Architecture - Image 4 of 4Temporary Porcelain Clad Pavilion Addresses The Notion of Ornamentation in Architecture - More Images+ 15