THE SKY OF MADRID

Cuarto Interior used sintered stone to create a contemporary and sophisticated remodel of the Barceló Theatre building in Madrid.

Respecting the rationalist design of the iconic Barceló Theatre Building—designed by the Spanish architect Luís Gutiérrez in 1930—the interior design studio Cuarto Interior was commissioned to remodel the second floor to turn the former and popular Madrid disco Pacha into a VIP club of Madrid nightlife. The goal of its owners, the Trapote family, was to renew this historic place into a luxurious space with a cosmopolitan style able to attract a young and selective audience to have a cocktail or dance until dawn.

To achieve this goal, Cuarto Interior decided to begin the refurbishment work by creating and enlarging the windows area to admire the wonderful views of the city of Madrid. They also worked to design a more functional and modern space that was enhanced by material selections that included a symmetrical presentation of book-matched sintered stone slabs. Due to the hardness and abrasion resistance of sintered stone, the young and talented architects were able to achieve the desired contemporary and sophisticated design without compromising the durability of the flooring and cladding that is subjected to heavy traffic levels.

Sintered stone made with a faithful interpretation of Carrara marble was chosen to dress the floor, walls, and furniture of this exclusive disco. The sintering process allowed for an elegant design with a combination of thick and subtle veins crossing a pure-white background, adding a touch of class and beauty. Cuarto Interior decided to create a symmetrical design with mirror effect (i.e., book-match), giving more depth to the space and creating a dramatic visual effect. Sintered stone was also combined with other noble materials such as wood and copper, and with other important architectural elements in the space, such as lighting. Together with the white hue of the sintered stone, a very bright environment is created.

This notable project has been awarded first prize in a professional design competition known as II Edition. It won as the best remodeling project by incorporating sintered stone as the main finish material for the renovated spaces. Accolades were given to José Manuel Fernández (executive director) and Germán Álvarez (creative director) from Cuarto Interior for their outstanding contribution to capture the initial idea, as well as for providing a unique experience to anyone who goes to the luxurious second floor of the Barceló Theatre in Madrid.

MIAMI HOUSE

Sintered stone surfacing redefines a classic Miami Beach beauty.

Transforming an outdated condominium into a seamless, sophisticated sanctuary was made possible using sintered stone with a low-maintenance marble aesthetic. Used by ancient Roman sculptors and contemporary designers alike, Carrara marble is often touted for its quality, color, and lavish feel. These characteristics made the material a top choice for one Miami Beach, Florida, family, who wanted to capture the ancient Roman essence when renovating their dated condominium in the luxurious Capobella building.

In order to accomplish their vision of a contemporary haven, the family hired interior design boutique firm 2ID Interiors, which specializes in modern interiors, to turn their outdated home into an airy retreat that reflects the beauty of its Miami location.

However, having worked with Carrara marble in the past, 2ID owner Rafaela Simoes was familiar with the limitations of the material and knew it would prove to be less than ideal for this dream home. While Carrara marble is a gorgeous and widely popular material, many people are unaware of the laundry list of problems that can be associated with the product in certain applications. For example, Carrara marble requires special cleaning products, must be sealed and maintained with a quality sealer on a regular basis, and due to its porous nature, the material is prone to etching, staining, and chipping. Homeowners can expect to see changes to the marble as soon as the first meal is cooked or the first spill happens. “Our client had expressed their love for a seamless contemporary design and requested that a marble look be merged into every aspect of the kitchen, as well as other areas throughout the home,” Simoes says. The designer’s challenge lied in designing a space that met her client’s expectations without any drawbacks.

To achieve the desired aesthetic and low-maintenance quality, Simoes began planning, digging deep into the design process and drawing up plans of what would be a striking renovation of the 3,000-square-foot condo. The goal was to create a consistent design that flows effortlessly. Simoes had recently heard about sintered stone products made from all natural materials, with a reputation for luxury design and incredible durability. She was eager to present the material to her client and assure them that they could still have the look they were hoping for without all the headaches. In addition to the beautiful design, sintered stone slabs have a near-zero porosity, making them hygienic and resistant to bacteria growth, as well as impervious to cleaning solution chemicals.

Simoes introduced her clients to a sintered stone with a dramatically authentic marble design and a polished finish. Since the polished finish used was perfectly linear, it resembled the natural stone finish beautifully, unlike other ceramic or porcelain polishing. As such, the marble aesthetic seamlessly blended the high-end look of marble with the innovative design and features of sintered stone surfacing. It proved to be the perfect solution that addressed the concerns of both the client and Simoes from a design and functionality perspective.

In the process of redesigning the condominium at Capobella, Simoes was focused on using “end-matched” patterns in selected locations. Unlike natural marble, where the designer is working with multiple slabs that are nearly impossible to match, manufactured sintered stone with an end-matched effect can produce a much more workable and dramatic veining layout. In particular, she incorporated a column that separates the living room from the dining room. She envisioned a floor-to-ceiling marble column—much like that in Roman architecture—and accomplished the look very successfully with end-matched pieces of sintered stone. Similar to the column, end-matched sintered stone slabs created the exterior of the kitchen island for a unified floor-to-working-surface look. Finally, the countertops and backsplash of the kitchen also embraced the end-matched look for an integrated and elegant design.

Pleased with the outcome of the kitchen, and understanding the limitations and maintenance of marble especially when exposed to water, the homeowners also moved forward with having the master bathroom fully designed with sintered stone. For the top of the vanity and the shower wall, Simoes opted to use a polished design with a tobacco-brown tone that exudes power and elegance. It is a great contrast with the tub that is designed in a bright-white sintered stone in a silk finish to create a lasting luxurious and balanced space.

With dozens of designs to choose from and limitless application potential, Simoes and others in the firm have found that sintered stone gives architects, interior designers, and other industry experts the ability to add strength and natural beauty to the homes they design, while providing a product versatile enough for creative risks.