Cultura

Concrete Wall Tile for Castaa

The design is inspired by the distinctive shapes and artistic heritage of the ancient pre-Columbian Jama Coaque tribe, dating back to 500 B.C., located in Ecuador. It consists of four tiles and the challenge was to develop an effective approach for seamlessly aligning the tiling lines in every direction. These tile variations allow for the creation of diverse configurations without repetition, echoing the roller stamp design. Cultura revives and highlights the memory and importance of historical local design.

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Cultura by Gabriel Costa

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Concrete Wall Tile by Gabriel Costa

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Gabriel Costa Cultura

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Gabriel Costa Concrete Wall Tile

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Gabriel Costa Design Team Photo

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Unique Properties

The task presented by the design was to discover an effective approach for aligning the tiling lines seamlessly in every direction. The Cultura design comprised two distinct pieces: tiles A and B, each featuring a unique design. To address this challenge, the decision was made to make tile B a mirror image of tile A. Subsequently, by rotating both tiles 180 degrees, two additional tiles, labeled C and D, were produced. These variations in tiles enabled the production of a diverse array of configurations without repetition, inspired by the roller stamp patterns of the Jama Coaque culture.

Tags

wall tile, wall element, 3D, concrete, home and living, pattern design, geometric, pattern

Production Technology

The manufacturing technique utilized involved the use of wet-cast high-performance concrete in thermoformed plastic molds crafted over an engineered aluminum routed matrix to ensure stable dimensions and a sleek semi-gloss texture finish. After demolding, no modifications were made using any additional sources or tools for finishing beyond those originally utilized during the production process.

Design Challenge

The creative challenge lay in crafting an original piece to complement the other three, blending them together seamlessly to form a cohesive image of a repetitive bookmatched pattern within a natural design. The concept emerged: diagonal stripes intersected by inlays, mimicking a primitive depiction of animals. These inlays, strategically placed, would provide texture, allowing light and shadow to interact and imbue the entire wall with depth and meaning.

Project Duration

The development of the tile design was made approximately 1 year before production and was manufactured by CASTAA from October 2022 to December 2022 in Duran, Ecuador.

Operation Flow

The Tiling Method: a. Determine the wall dimensions. b. Mark the midpoint along the width. c. Calculate the tiles quantity required to fill the upper left row d. Choose your code type: single, bi, tri and quad code. e. Place the chosen code in the upper left row and fills to the end. f. Bookmatched by placing the opposite tile on the right half row. g. Fill the entire second row bellow by placing once again, the bookmatched tiles from the first row with their corresponding opposite tiles. h. Copy the block area of 2 complete rows downward by replicating it until the entire wall is fully covered.

Research

The objective was to design a tile with aims of highlighting and bringing back the values of historical Jama Coaque tribe, around 500 B.C, known for intricate designs and innovative techniques. They pioneered the use of a roller stamp for continuous patterns, showcasing their innovation. Instead of using the same patterns, the focus was on enhancing compositions with fundamental design principles and enriching patterns with complexity.

Inspiration

Cultura is inspired by the distinctive shapes and artistic heritage of the ancient pre-Columbian Jama Coaque culture located in Ecuador. Renowned for their use of roller stamps to adorn pottery, textiles, and skin with motifs, they established a unique identity through this artistic tradition.

Image Credits

Image #1 : Photographer Andres Carrion, Cultura, 2023 Image #2 : Photographer Andres Carrion, Cultura, 2023 Image #3 : Photographer Andres Carrion, Cultura, 2023 Image #4 : Photographer Gabriel Costa, Cultura, 2023 Image #5 : Photographer Andres Carrion, Cultura, 2023

Project Overview

Cultura Concrete Wall Tile has been a Iron winner in the Building Materials and Construction Components Design award category in the year 2023 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.

Iron Recognition

Gabriel Costa was recognized with the coveted Iron A' Design Award in 2024, a testament to excellence of their work Cultura Concrete Wall Tile.

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