VOLUME 4

Casalgrande Padana has always had a strong affinity with architecture and interior design, as well as technological research. In order to develop its well-established relationship with the design field, it promotes and implements numerous cultural initiatives. This important relationship, which has consolidated over time, includes the publication of the Creative Book, an editorial project carried out with the international architecture magazine Casabella.

Conceived to provide some starting points for additional reflection about the expressive and applicative potential of Granitogres, Marmogres and Pietre Native ceramic materials, the volume offers a series of practical contributions. Information, examples, solutions, suggestions, hints, atmospheres… A tool for quick consultation. To leaf through, when necessary. Creative Book is organized into three sections dedicated to works, compositional proposals and materials. The first part presents a selection of projects that participated in the last edition of the international architectural competition, Grand Prix Casalgrande Padana. The review has been organized according to the principal types of interventions: shopping centers and executive offices; public and service buildings, industrial buildings; façade coverings and external pavements; and residential buildings. Each work is illustrated with a series of pictures accompanied by a technical sheet about the project. The awarded designs are furthermore accompanied by drawings, installation layouts and details of the porcelain stoneware products used. The central section of the volume, dedicated to compositional studies, analyses the possibilities for applying ceramics in flooring, developing a series of proposals and suggestions for whole environmental al compositions, central decorations, border decorations, route markers and water-jet cutting. The last part is dedicated to materials. The performance characteristics and aesthetic qualities of Granitogres, Marmogres and Pietre Native are highlighted through large thematic tables and in-depth details. Sizes, surfaces and colours provide the designer with a particular interpretative key to the information that integrates at different levels, allowing differentiated reading levels.

Creative Book thus intends to indicate some possible directions for expressive and compositional research into the use of ceramic materials in architecture, offering the designer a series of useful notes for his work.