NEOLITH^® – EASTERN PROMISE

Neolith® universally specified across special Shenzhen Showroom

China is becoming one of the most exciting construction markets in the world. It’s a nation with a young, vibrant and creative design community, recently come of age and producing highly original and ambitious architecture.

Fast-paced and dynamic, aesthetic trends emerge on a daily basis. It’s a country where invention and innovation never sleep, particularly when it comes to buildings.

This extends to material choices. Chinese architects, specifiers and consumers alike are always on the lookout for fixtures, fittings, surfaces and structural components which reflect their proudly progressive approach to design. They need to be sustainable, harness the latest production technology and, in the wake of COVID-19, possess the highest levels of hygiene whilst being easy to maintain.

Neolith®, the pioneering brand of Sintered Stone, is one such material, witnessing a significant uptake from Chinese design and construction professionals since it arrived in the territory in 2012. A recent surge in popularity has seen the surface specified for all types of interior and exterior projects, from worktops in high-end residential kitchens to the facades of soaring skyscrapers.

As Neolith’s presence grows, the brand has expanded its physical presence in China, allowing people to experience its diverse range of premium surfaces in application to demonstrate the full potential of the material.

Teaming up with Chinese distributor TechSize and Willow Design Co. Ltd, over 550 m2 Neolith has been specified throughout a unique showroom in Shenzhen, Guangdong. One of China’s most famous ‘creative cities’, it’s the perfect location in which to highlight the surface’s versatility and unique collection of colours and patterns.

The Light Fantastic

The role of shadow and light played an integral part in the conceptual development of the space’s design, with the designers keen to show how Neolith could be playfully illuminated to provoke a dramatic visual impact.

One such installation is a corridor specified in Aspen Grey and shot through with LED strip-lighting. This was programmed to light up in a cascade as someone walks through, creating a cool, futuristic aesthetic.

Lighting was also strategically placed throughout the showroom to throw the various Neolith slabs into relief, helping to make specific applications, such as a minimalist cantilevered staircase clad in Iron Moss stand out, accentuating its sculptural beauty.

Grand Scale

Much like the People’s Republic of China, the Neolith TechSize showroom interiors have been built on a grand scale. In the central area, the walls are clad in moody, muted Basalt Black which frame full size slabs of polished Estatuario, Calacatta, Nero Marquina, Mont Blanc, Mar Del Plata and many other popular Neolith colours and patterns.

The specification truly embrace’s Neolith’s 360° vision, appropriate for application on any surface from floors, walls and ceilings to worktops, furniture and even staircases.

This expansive vision is not delivered at a sacrifice to the finer details, with the majority of the furnishings throughout the space surfaced in Neolith. Highlights include a set of curved, multi-layered benches in Zaha Stone, with each descending strata seductively tapering out, it pays mischievous homage to futuristic, space age design.

Perfect Match

Symmetry, continuity and incongruity were further, important thematic considerations for the designers. They wanted to display Neolith’s ability to achieve seamless designs, yet also deliver visual contrast if the specification requires.

One area of the showroom where this was perfect realised is in a specially created boardroom. The very purpose of such a room, in which deals and partnerships between like-minded companies are signed and sealed, made it a relevant and apt space in which to liberally apply book-matched Estatuario. This further, reference those rare occasions where specifier and material meet in a perfect match.

Two further walls in the showroom’s central area and entranceway highlight consistency and juxtaposition. One is a complete wall delivered in Calacatta, the other a frenetic one in which square cut tiles of Estatuario are placed asymmetrical to each other. This latter effect is further enhanced by the presence of an expansive reception desk in Iron Moss.

Eye Catchers

Ultimately, the designers wanted to create a destination for Neolith’s design audience and drawing inspiration from culturally significant sites across the world, they wanted to include as many unique, eye-catching features as possible.

Some, like a world map plotted our in various Neolith colours are immediately obvious, others require the visitor to explore the showroom to uncover these various delights. Fundamentally, stepping into the Neolith TechSize showroom is like stepping into a modern gallery full of valuable, expertly produced works of art.

Commenting on the overall concept, Hong Jiahong, technical director at TechSize, says, “We wanted every visitor to the showroom to get a true impression of Neolith’s design potential. By specifying the material across every surface in the space, we have been able showcase its versatility and flexibility. To enhance its visual appeal and highlight the amazing detail and definition of each slab we installed linear lighting to creating a minimalist and modern visual experience.

“This holistic application delivers real ‘wow factor’ allowing our customers to immerse themselves in Neolith, unlocking their creativity and encouraging them to work with the material.”

Mar Esteve Cortes, Neolith CMO, adds, “The scale and ambition of the Shenzhen showroom is truly incredible! One only has to look at the range of imaginative and unusual installations to see that, when using Neolith, the only limit is the imagination. China is one of our fastest growing markets with a dynamic and ever changing architectural and design scene. This unique space reflects this, offering specifiers an insight into the universal appeal of Neolith surfaces, from its strong aesthetic and unrivalled performance to its high levels of hygiene and sustainable production.”

All Neolith slabs are 100% natural and carbon neutral, appropriate for specification in any professional or residential surfacing application. It is also one of the safest and most hygienic materials available, never compromising on performance and visual appeal.

For more information about Neoliths’ collection of patterns, finishes, formats and thicknesses click here.