Bodegas Fontana, Madrid
Spanish Design Studio Gui-on was tasked with the brief of transforming a home in the middle of Calle O'Donnell in Madrid into an administrative and commercial space for Bodegas Fontana.

Designed by José Daniel Espinosa, design manager at Gui-on Estudio, and installed by Ángel Rubio's team at AR Superficies Sólidas, the new administrative department in the prestigious winery's main offices displays spaciousness, brightness and versatility, thanks to some clever design ideas and material selection.

The new facilities have an area of 160 sq m, throughout which one of the designer's main objectives was to generate a flow of natural light that travels through the open space, along with the creation of other areas imbued with a certain visual and acoustic intimacy.

Photo credit: Gui-on

One of the materials that made it possible to channel light into the interior of the rooms was LG hausys HI-MACS solid surface in Alpine White. Espinosa says: 'Thanks to the brightness of the colour, the uniformity and continuity of the material - and the ability to join it without visible joints - HI-MACS was perfect for the project's practical and aesthetic needs.'

The facilities are mainly used for the brand's commercial development, although there are also small spaces for brand management and administration. An example of the different spaces' versatility is the conference room, which is sometimes used as a tasting area.

One of the most prominent elements of this new department is the huge conference table in the main room.

The large statement piece is made from seamless LG Hausys HI-MACS, giving it a monolithic look.

Another of the most striking pieces in the office is a modern, functional structure in the reception area that holds the bottles in a horizontal position, allowing them to be exposed and to hand at all times. himacs.eu

Snoozebox
Formica Laminate was specified for the portable Snoozebox hotel.

The product was chosen for most of the key surfaces to help achieve a premium and luxury feel within portable hotel rooms that can be put up within days.

With adaptable features, ease of application and a variety of colours and textures, Formica Laminate created a sleek finish to the rooms.

The redesigned Snoozebox hotel was recently showcased at the Rugby World Cup.

Baku International Airport, Azerbaijan
Following the completion of the international terminal at Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Azerbaijan, the ultra-compact surface Dekton by Cosentino was selected for a striking outdoor flooring commission at the main entrance.

The new terminal building is characterised by its unusual triangular shape with rounded edges, designed to reflect the Azerbaijan Airlines' logo; it is a reference repeated throughout the building and that influenced the design of the outdoor flooring.

Overseeing the flooring and the interior design throughout the terminal was Istanbul-based design firm, Autoban, which envisioned an eye-catching pattern created with different-coloured, 1.5m-sided, triangles to achieve a 3D raised effect of raised squares.

To make this possible, it was important to find a material that was manufactured in large enough pieces to ensure that the large triangular slabs could be cut without risking the material cracking or creating unwanted seams within the triangles, which would ruin the desired clean, geometric effect.

Dekton is made from a complex mix of the raw materials used to manufacture glass, porcelain and quartz surfaces, and then placed under ultra-high compression to form the final product. This results in a material that is well-suited to a range of hard-wearing commercial applications due to its ability to resist heat, stains and scratches, and withstand high volumes of traffic when used as flooring.

The design concept demanded a material in a solid, uniform colour with a natural look and slate finish, which could also be produced in two lighter shades to create the contrasting triangle pattern. Colour Sirius was selected as the most suitable, and two bespoke, lighter shades were also developed specifically for this project, illustrating the level of pigmentation control that can be applied during the manufacturing process.

Dekton has a high level of colour stability that will not fade. It is also highly resistant to both ultra-violet light and heat, making it perfect for outdoor applications, such as the intricate entrance facade at Baku International Airport, as it will not degrade over time.

Residential development, Battersea Power Station, London
Domus has been appointed to install its Parquet Collection flooring in all 850 apartments at London's Battersea Power Station. The major regeneration of one of London's most iconic landmarks has been designed by dRMM and Ian Simpson Architects, with the dwellings designed by award-winning interior designer Johnson Naylor.

Pre-finished engineered oak herringbone flooring will feature throughout in entrances, kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms in combination with large-format porcelain tiles and mosaics from Domus in the bathrooms.

The interior wood flooring is a new addition to the Domus portfolio. The product range is fabricated from European white oak. Jon Newey, CEO at Domus, says: 'We have for decades been providing tiling solutions to architects and developers alike, so offering a wood collection is a natural progression. Now clients can source what they need from under one roof.

'Seeing our new product in the finished apartments at Battersea Power Station is very exciting,' he added.