GGlab + Paulo Flores: Fluidity

Fluidity. Ceramics, a material for the city of the future, sponsored by "Tile of Spain" in collaboration with the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX) and the Economic and Commercial Office of the Spanish Embassy in Milan, interprets the many possibilities that ceramics can offer the most innovative and creative architects for the sustainable design of modern cities.

Today's global society requires a greater continuity between the public and private, between indoor and outdoor spaces, from which new synergies arise, and lead to more dynamic urban spaces with a better relationship between cities and their inhabitants.

Fluidity uses the characteristics of ceramics to respond to these needs, creating urban elements characterized by a double skin, in other words with an outer side, composed of elements that decontaminate the air, and an inner side consisting of extruded ceramic tubes. The floor is flexible, forming waves that move in synergy with the various layers of the skin. Walls, ceilings and floors interact with each other. The public space of the future is a varied, composed of elements which interact with one another through the use of diverse materials and various building systems, leading to design projects with versatile functions.

The project was designed to last over time: Fluidity is not intended to be an ephemeral installation created for this event alone. After the MADE expo, the installation will move to Valencia for the next edition of Cevisama (the International Ceramics and Bathroom Furnishings Show) before being donated to an institution or organization.

The curator of the installation is José Ramón Tramoyeres, a young architect from Valencia, co-founder of the architectural firm Green Geometries Laboratory (GGlab) and in charge of the Tile of Spain installation "Vectorice" for the Beijing Architecture Biennial 2010.

Architects: GGlab + Paulo Flores
Green Geometries Laboratory, established by Andres Arias Madrid (Mexico), José Ramón Tramoyeres (Spain) and Sangyup Lee (Korea), is a young firm, engaged in projects on a global scale and independent research (Valencia, London, Seoul). The firm aims to redefine the concept of architectural and urban design through the use of computational techniques and sustainable means. The works by the firm dedicated to digital design and architecture have been published in several international journals, in countries such as Spain, China, Italy, USA, Belgium, Mexico, Britain and Russia. José Ramón Tramoyeres leads the New Media Department, based in Valencia and is a professor of Architectural and Urban Design Strategy.
Design team: Andrés Arias, José Ramón Tramoyeres, Paulo flores, Danilo Spiga, Povilas Cepaitis Lluis Enrique, Diego Ordoñez, Carlos Piles, Alberto Seller, Jaume Verdeguer, Miguel Rus.
Consultants: Cast on Cast (parameterization, optimization and digital manufacturing)
Structure: Manolo García Carpintería Artística S.L.U.

Fluidity is made with:

Ceracasa: BIONICTILE
This material is able to decontaminate the air in urban areas, thanks to a patented enamel that transforms nitrogen oxide into harmless nitrates, without requiring the addition of any energy source other than solar energy. The tests performed at the Institute of Chemical Technology of the Polytechnic of Valencia (Spain) and at the Mediterranean Centre for Environmental Studies have provided important data. One square metre of BIONICTILE by Ceracasa is able to detoxify some of 25.09 micrograms Nox/h of polluted air. This product has already been used in various architectural projects, such as the Sports Palace of Castellón and on the facades of several buildings in Errekalde and Madrid. BIONICTILE has received over 10 international awards.

Cerámica Mayor: BAGUETTE B-d50
The design allows the use of ceramics for multiple applications; BAGUETTE B-d50 can be used as a screen to modulate the entry of light or hide objects, like staircases and railings from view, or as a partition between internal and external environments. It comes in sizes up to 1.80 m long, in natural and glazed colours.

Decorativa: SOHO INTERIORS SERIES
The flax-coloured (off white) pieces of the SOHO INTERIORS SERIES are available in 15x40 flat and textured formats, developed by the group of architects through the use of disposable moulds.

Natucer: LIFEARQ – BAMBOO SERIES
This circular tube is made of porcelain, using an extrusion technique that allows its installation in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Particularly suitable for architectural use, it is available in five colours and in three different sizes to fit most applications and uses (indoor, partitions, facades). BAMBOO is a real alternative application for to ceramics.

Tau Cerámica: LAMA SERIES
Porcelain element made in two sizes: in the 20x120 version, for interior spaces, and 15x60, suitable for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Both sizes are available in five colour versions: black, walnut, oak, white and grey. LAMA is Tau's response to the new values that have emerged in the current economic environment: a range that embodies all the beauty of the wood in its purest essence, maintaining all the innovation offered by ceramic materials while integrating the latest digital decoration technology.