
atlas concorde emulates natural beauty in ceramic marvel travertine collection
The article discusses the collaboration between Italian ceramic-tile specialist Atlas Concorde and international luxury hospitality brand Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) on the Marvel Travertine collection. This partnership aims to replicate the aesthetics and tactile qualities of natural travertine limestone using ceramic tiles, offering a sustainable alternative to the finite natural material. The initiative is driven by a shared vision for excellence in design and a commitment to addressing environmental concerns, particularly the limited availability of natural resources like stone.
Paula O’Callaghan, a partner at HBA, highlights that the expectation of luxury interiors often involves natural stone. However, the awareness of the finite nature of these materials led them to seek a more sustainable solution. The Marvel Travertine collection achieves what the manufacturer terms 'extreme realism,' faithfully reproducing the look and feel of natural travertine. This technical virtuosic copying is seen as beneficial for environmental sustainability, differentiating it from unethical design copying or knock-offs.
The development process for the Marvel Travertine collection involved extensive brainstorming between Atlas Concorde and HBA to create a universally appealing product suitable for various cultural contexts and applications while embodying luxury. An internal survey within HBA helped identify natural materials that were challenging to specify in hospitality interiors and determined the type of tile product designers would prefer if the natural effect was convincing. Travertine was chosen as the target stone, and HBA's Products team developed several tile layout designs, with input from interior design team leaders.
A key benefit of Marvel Travertine, especially for hospitality interiors, is its ease of maintenance, reliable slip-resistance, and durability, which are crucial for areas requiring frequent cleaning and safety, particularly post-pandemic. The ceramic material provides the convincing appearance of porous stone without the maintenance challenges associated with natural travertine. The collection's versatility allows for its application in high-traffic areas such as public restrooms, spas, pool decks, locker rooms, guest bathrooms, and food and beverage facilities.
Flooring is considered one of the three critical planes in interior spaces, significantly influencing the overall look and feel. HBA typically makes flooring and wall material selections early in a project to establish the design's foundational envelope and backdrop. For commercial interiors, material properties like ease of maintenance and safety are paramount considerations. HBA's project work directly informs its product design activities, as luxury hospitality and high-end residential sectors frequently require custom designs and materials.
HBA actively avoids using certain natural materials, such as heavily depleted exotic wood and stone species like Macassar ebony, acknowledging the environmental impact. The firm also emphasizes educating clients on the value of quality products and avoiding materials that do not meet industry standards. This collaboration exemplifies a move towards sustainable luxury, combining advanced ceramic technology with sophisticated design to meet market demands while upholding environmental responsibility.
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