go hand in hand with Turin’s his- toric architecture and a lightweight façade technology capable of creat- ing a modern effect. Paolo Iotti of the eponymous studio said the choice of flamed 8,000 square meters (86,111 sq. ft.) of Kerlite 5.5 mm porcelain panels helped to create a sense of continuity with historic buildings from the 1900s on the surrounding blocks, providing an alternative to a glass building that clashed with the area’s sense of history. These composite panels provided the perfect solution to the angular elements and created a “full-bod- ied” look. This makes the façade appear compact and textured, rig- orously composed with luminous color tones, capable of creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the interior spaces and in the exterior perception of them. Because of the innovative clad- ding system that used the panels with a foam core, Iotti said no cor- ner grout lines were needed, which removes the feeling of a slab that would have distracted from the characteristic of the building. The result was an expansive new building that extends from the his- tory of the original structure and harmonizes with the area, mak- ing its mark with its own distinc- tive sense of contemporary beauty, style and design. THIN TILE ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 84 TileLetter | November 2017