The integration of architectural design with the landscape – whether natural or artificial – is one of the topics that drives the architecture world, especially in Italy. Interacting in a virtuous way with the great variety of the Italian territories means minimising the impact on them both in architectural and energy terms, i.e. using renewable sources.

Among the recent projects that best represent this attitude is Furla Progetto Italia. The new building designed by GEZA Architettura stands in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, in the hills of Chianti, and is the new headquarters of the historic brand of leather goods and fashion accessories. The complex, which covers 18,000 square metres, is developed in an area of 42,000 square metres. The integration between landscape and built structure is the main theme of the project: the morphology of the land is respected and large spaces surround the three buildings destined for offices, laboratories and logistics.

The various materials used in the project were chosen with the same sensitivity, such as the porcelain stoneware surfaces of Fiandre Architectural Surfaces, an Iris Ceramica Group brand: technologically advanced products made with natural raw materials in zero-emission factories which contribute to the wellbeing of those who live in the spaces.

Fiandre's Fjord collection was chosen for flooring in the offices and production areas. The porcelain stoneware slabs in the collection are inspired by the enigmatic charm of the lands of the North, and are characterised by subtle tone-on-tone ribbing which enriches the different shades in the colour range, recalling the pale stone surfaces designed by time and the primordial forces of nature.

An extremely versatile collection, both indoors and outdoors, it is available in White Fjord, Sand Fjord, Dusty Fjord and Black Fjord in the Maximum 300x100, 150x100 and 100x100 cm sizes with a thickness of 6 mm, as well as in 7 colours in the traditional 120x60, 60x60 and 60x30 cm sizes with thicknesses of 0.8 and 1.1 cm and with a semi-polished and structured finish.