Caesarstone taps Snarkitecture for a new experiment in kitchen design
It’s that time of year again when quartz specialist Caesarstone pushes the boundaries of their dynamic wares by collaborating with a design big-hitter. Recall last year’s folkloric playground by Jaime Hayon, or 2016’s elemental kitchens by Tom Dixon, each project is first unveiled at Interior Design Show in Toronto, and then evolves throughout the year.
This year’s offering is the brainchild of multi-disciplinary design renegade Snarkitecture. It centres on any self-respecting domestic dreamer’s contemporary kitchen must-have – the island – a space which has become ‘the social hub of the house,’ says Alex Mustonen, Snarkitecture’s partner and co-founder. It’s an idea that aligns with his goal of ‘creating environments and experiences that are designed to be inclusive.’
Using Caesarstone’s surfaces as a jumping off point, Snarkitecture have created four, highly conceptual takes on kitchen islands. Each have their own identities, yet communicate with the same design language, categorised by sinuous, stratified layers that emulate natural topography.
Titled ‘Ice Island’, ‘Water Island’, ‘Steam Island’ and ‘Play Island’, the four-fold installation reflects the kitchen island’s multi-function; a place of preparation, performance, and occasional kitchen-sink drama. Take ‘Steam Island’, for instance, which comprises 28, finely rendered layers of Caesarstone White Attica quartz. Through the layers, an atmospheric emission of water vapour emits from the surface – evoking both earth-shattering volcanic eruptions, and (a little closer to home) the gentle over-boiling of a pan.
More objet d'art than à la carte, the islands are intended to convey the brilliance of Caesarstone surfaces. ‘As architects, we tend to be very material-oriented,’ says Ben Porto, partner at Snarkitecture. ‘This collaboration gives us the opportunity to engage and interact with the Caesarstone material, something we would like to pass on to visitors of the installation, demonstrating its versatility and quality.’
The IDS instalment is just the appetiser for this ongoing island project – look out for the large scale installation during Salone del Mobile in April.
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Caesarstone website and the Snarkitecture website
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Elly Parsons is the Digital Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees Wallpaper.com and its social platforms. She has been with the brand since 2015 in various roles, spending time as digital writer – specialising in art, technology and contemporary culture – and as deputy digital editor. She was shortlisted for a PPA Award in 2017, has written extensively for many publications, and has contributed to three books. She is a guest lecturer in digital journalism at Goldsmiths University, London, where she also holds a masters degree in creative writing. Now, her main areas of expertise include content strategy, audience engagement, and social media.
-
Find yourself at Six Senses Kyoto, the brand's breathtaking Japan debut
Six Senses Kyoto opens its doors boasting tranquil, luxurious interiors by Blink Design Group
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Shigeru Ban’s mini Paper Log House welcomed at The Glass House
'Shigeru Ban: The Paper Log House' is shown at The Glass House in New Canaan, USA as the house museum of American architect Philip Johnson plays host to the Japanese architect’s model temporary home concept
By Adrian Madlener Published
-
Artist Mickalene Thomas wrestles with notions of Black beauty, female empowerment and love
'Mickalene Thomas: All About Love’, a touring exhibition, considers Black female representation
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Vipp’s latest kitchen design is an aluminium dream
The Vipp V3 Kitchen is the latest in a series of minimalist and functional designs
By Anne Soward Published
-
‘The future is hypermobile’: portability guides Tom Dixon’s Coal office exhibitions
London Design Festival 2023: at Coal Office, Tom Dixon explores themes of hypermobility in collaboration with cutting-edge contemporary brands, mixing AI, tech and research
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Kitchen design ideas to inspire your next home renovation
These are the kitchen trends for 2024: from sculptural inspirations to multifunctional ideas and must-have accessories
By Anne Soward Published
-
Officine Gullo’s new kitchen showroom in Florence is a renaissance chapel
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
At home with Tom Dixon interview: ‘humour is essential for sanity’
Tom Dixon speaks to Wallpaper* ahead of his Euroluce debut: the green-fingered godfather of British design on everything from espressos and eelgrass to curiosity and collecting heads
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Upgrade your Ikea kitchen with Superfront’s Bruta collection by Raw-Edges
Stockholm Design Week 2023: Raw Edges designed the new Bruta Kitchen for Superfront, marking the Swedish brand’s first design collaboration
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Outdoor kitchens to elevate your summertime dining
We look for the best outdoor kitchens to bring our culinary prowess to the garden this summer season
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Tools for food: the history of how we eat
A new book, Tools for Food: The stories behind objects that influence how and what we eat reveals, the changing nature of our culinary habits
By Hannah Silver Last updated