New Waterways Designed by Elisa Ossino Studio

27/01/2023 - Discovering new waterways. The new CRISTINA Rubinetterie showroom opens in the heart of Milan's Brera district. Designed by Elisa Ossino Studio, the new space in Via Pontaccio is imagined as "a monochromatic box where the alternation of natural materials generates the vibration of light".
 
The designer's thinking focused first on the method of presentation, where the tap - as an object - appears not only aesthetically but, above all, functionally and in terms of different water flows. Hence the idea of deconstructing an otherwise aseptic exhibition in favour of an engaging approach based on visitor interaction with functional elements.
 
Elisa Ossino says, "We wanted to create a textured envelope in which the vibration of light - for me, a fundamental component of the success of a project, perhaps linked to my past as a photographer - would accompany the reverberation of the water."

Underlining this approach is the choice of materials like travertine for the bathtubs and some vertical surfaces. The plastered walls, whose natural chiaroscuro is enhanced by a carefully chosen finish in the same shade as the stone, left as natural as possible with visible saw cuts or grouting of the perforations, complement the travertine, an element "close" to water since antiquity traditionally used for fountains, swimming pools and spas. The choice of Cocciopesto for the floors arose from extensive research and experimentation with grain sizes, whose fine texture blends perfectly with the space. "As an interior designer, I always seek the centrality of space in an alternating play of solids and voids and simple and clear volumes. My first step was to remove the partitions that closed off the shop windows and create an invitation to enter so that, even from the outside, visitors might enjoy the space and the animation within. I kept only a central partition in the shop window to bring a product's story closer to the public, creating two arches with waxed iron beams that give the space greater depth; a visual 'telescope' focuses on a shower area dedicated to relaxation and wellbeing, with a working shower head visible from the exterior". The space is clearly structured with four wall niches displaying the latest and most functional range of taps. This "quasi walkway" is accentuated by large rectangular suspended travertine basins that function as large washbasins, similar to washbowls. "Taps are often chosen for their aesthetics, which can sometimes be somewhat problematic. That's why we've designed an experiential space where users can move around freely to understand the products without having to be accompanied".
 
The lower level houses accessories and the rest of the collections. For aesthetic continuity, the design echoes the language of the first floor with the use of travertine and basins. Ossino, who always seeks to extrapolate and exaggerate the soul of the materials, explains, "When I work with stone, I like to transform it, paradoxically, into a light material." She pays almost obsessive attention to the nuances of colour, which can profoundly alter the harmony of the spaces.
 
The lower floor is open and dynamic. The perimeter walls contain a wide range of references (completing the collections), and kitchen mixers are installed in the stylised space suggested by grooved wood. The austere layout is enlivened by two circular tubs - facing the wall with the shower proposals - and four freestanding washbasins. A limited area displays thermostatic solutions. Here, the black, geometric, austere Antrax radiator showcases the high-performance Code®, a new intelligent system from Caleffi S.p.A. that allows remote control of any room temperature with a smartphone app.

The furnishings - the two central sculptural wooden tables with strong curves and thin edges and a small meeting table enclosed by sliding glass windows - were all designed by Ossino herself, except for the Scandinavian design seats. Ekinex managed the domotics, configuring lighting scenarios, nocturnal installations, shop windows, air conditioning and energy consumption within a single, centralised system.

CRISTINA Rubinetterie on Archiproducts.com