Associated Press, a not-for-profit cooperative that provides national and international free information services, entrusted the design of the New York City headquarters to TPG Architecture - Kristina Barry.
The indoor floors were tiled with the Metalwood porcelain stoneware collection, in the colour Carbonio, and the Cemento stoneware collection, in the colour Cassero Bianco, in the 30x60 cm size: the contrast of the black and white used for the floors recalls newsprint, and helps to establish the tone for the setting.
Associated Press is also composed of a broadcasting studio, open 24/7, executive offices, meeting rooms, a data centre, a café and a controlled-humidity photo archive to celebrate the agency’s 170-year history and the winners of the Pulitzer Prize. TGP also contributed to the design of a Wall of Honor in memory of the Associated Press journalists who have died on assignment.
Ph: Eric Laignel
The Metalwood wood-effect porcelain stoneware collection has a distinctive metallic finish, with a feel reminiscent of the typical texture of wood. Wood-effect porcelain stoneware is one of the most popular flooring and covering materials, because it combines the aesthetic appeal of wooden boards with the technical advantages and resistance typical of porcelain stoneware. Available in six different shades with a natural surface and in seven different sizes (10x60 cm, 15x90 cm, 20x120 cm, 30x60 cm, 45x90 cm, 60x60 cm and 60x120 cm), Metalwood’s impressive technical characteristics make it the ideal floor and covering solution for any architectural setting.
The full-body coloured porcelain stoneware tiles in the Cemento collection have a feel reminiscent of the material texture of concrete, creating a modern, decorative effect ideal for contemporary living spaces. The Cemento collection comes in four soft tones, with a cassero and rasato surface, and in five sizes (from 30x60 cm to 60x120 cm and from 37.5x75.5 cm to 75.5x75.5 cm, as well as the large 120x120 cm, 120x240 cm, 120x260 cm and 160x320 cm sizes). Conceived to respond to the needs of contemporary architecture, the porcelain stoneware tiles in the Cemento collection are also perfect for floorings and coverings in residential, large commercial and public spaces.
The extraordinary bending strength and resistance to impact, abrasion, atmospheric agents, stains and chemicals make these collections the ideal solution for walls and floors, for both residential and public settings, as well as for contract projects. Casalgrande Padana porcelain stoneware is non-absorbent and safe, because it contains no chemical waterproofing agents, varnishes or resins. It is ecological, eco-compatible and fire-resistant, and in the event of fire, it does not give off toxic fumes. It is antibacterial (thanks to the Bios Antibacterial® technology available on request), easy to install and does not require any particular maintenance.
