Floated Tile System
2011
Partner (Alejandro Villarreal), Co-workers (Gabriela Rosas and Jesus Ramirez)
Red Vertex
Rapid prototyping (3T RPD Ltd), Laser Cut (Essex Laser), Carpentry (London Alcove)
Nicola Tree
Bathroom wall, insertable ceramic tile system, that instead of focusing creativity on the surface of the tile, it literally focuses on the joints between the tiles.
The main idea behind the projects is to generate a void between each tile, so that they appear to be floating in space. This void between the tiles opens up several possibilities on the back of the tiles: light can come up (by means of a LED lighting stripe), a different finish can be used on the background (solid wood, stone, metal or another color of ceramic) or even running water can be used (just like a wall fountain).
This floating effect is achieved by the use of two complementary pieces:
-The Fixed component: it is fixed to the wall by the use of conventional means (portland cement), and it has a big hole in its core, which allows the free pass of water and electric pipes. This component has a ceramic “neck” around the hole, which conceals the led lighting stripe and includes two rubber bands, which receives and holds the Insertable component, assisting as well with water insulation.
-The Insertable component: it fits inside this “neck”, and its outer face is a simple square that becomes the main surface of the bathroom wall.
The system includes additional components that assist in the corner adjustments, the wall ends, the separation of the different bathroom areas, the electric switches, the wall lamps, and is totally compatible with any conventional bathroom fittings, toilets and sinks. By these, the system prevents the damaging and cutting of the tiles during construction and brings a sense of integration to the different parts of the bathroom.
The system even gives a step further and includes specifically designed bathroom accessories like a hook, shelf, tray, flower pot, mirror and a sink, who are all literally born out of the tile surface, giving a great sense of order and integrity to the bathroom.
The project is proposed as an open platform that can be enriched by the input of several designers, and is thought to include a computer interface that will assist architects and designers during the planning and design phase. By this, the system gives the necessary technical support to make a seamless design, while giving an endless set of possibilities to both architects, designers and clients.
At the end of the day, the main motivation behind this project is to give a sense of calmness, lightness and wellbeing to the end user, which in turn, could hopefully help them connect with their beautiful inner void and inner world.
