Transforming ceramic slabs into eco-active materials for hygienic workplaces

How much time do we really spend working? More than we spend at home. Yet, finding a balance between work hours and personal time has become increasingly difficult. The lines between professional and private life have never been so blurred. While this blending may cause stress, it also offers an opportunity to rethink how we design our workspaces.

Office design is undergoing a profound transformation: it’s no longer just about desks, chairs, and computers. Today, it’s about creating environments that blend collaborative spaces, relaxation areas, and private zones. This philosophy was expertly realized by Iosa Ghini Associati in their redesign of Fiandre’s historic headquarters in Castellarano (RE), the high-end ceramic surfaces Brand of Iris Ceramica Group housed in a striking 2,400 m² building spread across three floors.

How Fiandre’s headquarters prioritize wellness and long-term benefits

While the exterior of the Fiandre HQ appears as a post-modern building, combining contrasting materials such as glass and bricks, inside, ceramic surfaces transform the space, acting as a dynamic “skin” that reshapes and elevates the environment. The redesign’s goal was to create a workplace that promotes employee well-being, utilizing modern, high-quality materials. A key feature of this renovation is the widespread use of Active Surfaces®. From floors and desks to meeting tables, bar areas, and service zones, these ceramic slabs are transformed into eco-active materials that ensure a high level of hygiene throughout the office.

Fiandre has always placed a strong emphasis on sustainability, making it a cornerstone of their design philosophy. Active Surfaces® technology is the result of long and innovative research into new solutions aimed at improving quality of life, combining cutting-edge functionality with aesthetic elegance. Developed by Iris Ceramica Group in partnership with the University of Milan’s Department of Chemistry, these pioneering photocatalytic ceramics boast advanced properties, including antibacterial, antiviral, anti-pollution, anti-odour, and self-cleaning capabilities.

Choosing the right materials is more important than ever

The patented photocatalytic process of Active Surfaces® continuously breaks down harmful pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), purifying the air both inside the building and in the surrounding environment. This process is activated by light and humidity, ensuring effectiveness even under artificial lighting, including energy-efficient LEDs. The result is cleaner air, a healthier atmosphere and a more sustainable architectural approach.

We need to be able to live our everyday spaces safely and freely, without compromising on design. This is why the choice of materials can make a difference. Active Surfaces® not only hold great design value but also innovatively respond to our need for safety and well-being. Made of high-quality porcelain stoneware, it combines durability with superior functionality, offering long-term benefits with minimal upkeep.

Ceramic surfaces adding a contemporary flavour to all the spaces

Upon entering the main lobby, the basement floor hosts offices, meeting rooms, and a relaxed lounge area that opens onto a garden. Finished with Active Surfaces®, the basement features Pietra Grey Maximum and Seminato Beige from the Il Veneziano collection, while the Pulsar full-bodied surfaces collection adorns the reception area, complemented by Active Surfaces® Venetian terrazzo selected for the bar area furnishings.

On the mezzanine floor, visitors are welcomed by a sleek, functional reception area that provides access to additional offices and meeting rooms. The space is divided into three zones: the reception desk and two waiting areas, separated by elegant curved walls. Both the desk and the sculptural backdrops are crafted from Sapienstone, using Iris Ceramica Group’s cutting-edge 4D Ceramics technology to seamlessly integrate surface design with the body of the slab.

Glass partitions and smart systems: enhancing light, soundproofing and space permeability

In the office spaces, the interplay of durable materials like porcelain stoneware and transparent glass creates a harmonious atmosphere. “The glass partition walls allow natural light to penetrate deep into the building,” says the architect Massimo Iosa Ghini “extending the sense of spaciousness and creating deep, perspective effects, while ensuring sound insulation through glass partitions with high acoustic efficiency.” All the wall units feature sections covered in a different shade of the Marmi Maximum collection, while to ensure maximum hygiene, all the desks are covered in 12 mm Sapienstone Platinum White Active Surfaces®.

The tables of the HQ’s meeting rooms are made of Sapienstone 4D ceramics, outfitted with advanced lighting control systems and polarized windows, all managed by Hypertouch® – an exclusive, intelligent system developed by Iris Ceramica Group. Applied to ceramic slabs, this integrated system of sensors and touch controls ensures optimal lighting, eliminating the need for external switches or plates and preserving the purity of the design.

Design as a solution to unseen yet urgent needs

Post-pandemic, offices started to resemble our homes more than ever, not just in terms of atmosphere or furnishings, but also in how we perceive surfaces – can I safely sit on this chair? Who has used this desk? This is why it’s more important than ever to carefully consider the materials we choose when designing and building our spaces. While the social distancing measures imposed by the pandemic are now behind us, the need for hygienic, safe surfaces is far from over.  

What if design could be the decisive key to combating viruses and bacteria? In offices and shared spaces, as demonstrated by Fiandre’s Active Surfaces®, the focus on materials has evolved from a secondary concern to a crucial one. Design, in fact, is no longer just an aesthetic pursuit; it’s a practical response to silent yet urgent challenges, a way to make the invisible visible.