The Porcelanosa Group was founded in 1973 and is present today in more than 100 countries around the world. It is currently one of the most internationally recognized Spanish corporations, according to a study published by the consulting firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers and the Financial Times.
Concern
The Porcelanosa Group started out exclusively with ceramic tiles. Currently, the eight companies in the group offer a wide range of products, from kitchen and bathroom equipment to advanced design solutions for modern architecture.
The concern pays special attention to the professional community, and this is confirmed by numerous joint projects with renowned designers and architects. Renowned interior designers such as Thomas Alia, Lazaro Rosa Violan, Olivier Lapidus, architects Rafael de La Oz, Richard Rogers or Norman Foster have repeatedly turned to Porcelanosa Group products for their projects.
An important area for the group of companies is the participation of famous architects and designers in expanding the product range of the Porcelanosa Group, endowing it with unique technological and aesthetic properties. An example of a successful collaboration is the MOOD bathroom collection from Noken, designed by the architectural studios of Richard Rogers (Rogers Stirk Harbor + Partners), creator of the Pompidou Museum in Paris and Terminal 4 of Madrid Barajas Airport, and Luis Vidal + Architects.
The collection included both creative design solutions - the authors combined classic ceramics and innovative composite material Krion®designed by the Porcelanosa Group Systempool, as well as technological innovations. The faucets of this line, released in 2013, are proof of how much consumers need smart bathroom solutions. The success of this product has ushered in a new digital era for bathrooms.
Another successful collaboration between Noken and designer Simone Micheli also revolutionized the bathroom. In 2010, the company presented the Lounge collection, which marked the beginning of a new trend in bathroom design and is still considered a trendsetter today.
In 2016, the factory will once again amaze with the result of cooperation with one of the most famous architectural studios. The authors of the project believe that the product will be another revolutionary solution for bathrooms.
Another factory of the concern, L'Antic Colonial, also regularly works with famous designers and architects. On the one hand, many new collections result from the active contributions of such professionals as architect Joaquin Torres and his studio A-cero, New York-based designer Claude and Clodagh Design, studio (Estudi {H} ac) or designer and architect Ramon Esteve.
On the other hand, the company has implemented the concept of "Author's Spaces", where completely different authors (Eduardo Soutu de Moura, Tomas Alia, Hector Ruiz Velazquez) express their point of view, their worldview using natural materials from L'Antic Colonial.
The Porcelanosa Grupo also constantly contributes to the development of the creative activities of young architects and designers, the promotion of their projects and the popularization of creativity. As part of this campaign, the concern regularly holds competitions for the professional community and now officially announces the start of accepting works for the IX Prize for Architecture and Interior Design. Works are accepted until April 4, 2016 in two categories: "Future projects" (for professionals and students) and "Completed projects" (for professionals).
Every year the Porcelanosa Grupo sets the theme for the category "Future Projects", and in 2016 it is the "Concept Store". Participants are required to present the concept of the interior of any retail space (boutique, book, interior or any other store) combined with a restaurant. The Completed Projects category covers works of any nature, realized using mainly Porcelanosa Group products and completed between January 2014 and February 2016.
The winners will be determined by an interdisciplinary jury whose members have earned international recognition and have been working with the concern for a long time: Julio Touza, Ramon Esteve, Jan Wilson, Jean-Jacques Ory.
The Porcelanosa Group was founded in 1973, has more than 40 years of experience and is present today in more than a hundred countries around the world.
Collaboration with professionals is reflected not only in the author's projects, the development of new products of the concern, but also in the life of the Porcelanosa Group itself. In September 2015, Foster + Partners completed the renovation of the new Porcelanosa Group building in Manhattan. The neoclassical façade of the early 20th century hides extensive renovations that completely changed the interior of the building. The project of one of the most prominent architects of our time, Norman Foster, is based on the contrast of appearance and interior, which is characteristic of avant-garde buildings.
Taking into account the special status of the building, Foster + Partners carried out restoration of the facade, restoring its original appearance, while the main entrance was moved to Fifth Avenue. By freeing up old window openings, the architects have achieved more natural light inside the building. The transformed interior is built on an open floor plan where rooms flow smoothly into each other. Due to this, all levels of the building are interconnected, and the space acquires dynamics. The building can house both exhibition pavilions and offices, as well as spacious rooms for conferences, presentations and seminars.
When you work with an established professional community, there is a lot to learn and be aware of the needs of your partners. This activity obliges you to be aware of their style and constantly evolve, as new and diverse proposals are always expected from you. Such a high bar is essential for the Porcelanosa Group, from which only the best is always expected.
