Active Surfaces® bring innovation to Florence’s historic markets
The renovation of the San Lorenzo and Sant’Ambrogio market buildings gave S+S Studio the opportunity to renew the flooring with eco-active sustainable surfaces from FMG, Iris Ceramica Group’s brand.
In the heart of Florence lie two of the city’s most symbolic landmarks, serving both as a reference point for the local community and as a tourist attraction for international visitors: the historic markets of San Lorenzo and Sant’Ambrogio. Both buildings have recently undergone renovation works, which also included the renewal of the internal flooring, following a path of sustainability and safety for human health thanks to the technical ceramics Active Surfaces®, manufactured by FMG Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti, a brand of Iris Ceramica Group.
The complex and delicate project was designed by the Florentine design firm S+S Studio and architects Nicola Spagni and Diletta Storace, in collaboration with the Municipality of Florence, the Superintendence, and the market traders. The goal was to respect historical values and local traditions while at the same time projecting these spaces into the future. As architects Spagni and Storace explain, the studio “adopts an almost tailor-made approach to architectural design”, always striving to respect the places in which it operates, creating environments with a meaningful soul, and reflecting deeply on every design choice.
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Built between 1870 and 1874, when Florence was the capital of Italy, the Storico Mercato Centrale di San Lorenzo boasts almost 150 years of history and is housed in an iron-and-glass building designed by Giuseppe Mengoni – the same architect and engineer who also designed the Sant’Ambrogio Market and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. With its 100 stalls, the market needed modernization to bring it into the present day, while also projecting the building into the future through an innovative, sustainable, and long-lasting solution. On the ground floor, S+S Studio developed the SloWrenzo® project – a wordplay that conveys the idea of an authentic place where time moves at the slow pace of craftsmanship.
The need to replace the old, worn flooring led the Studio to conduct extensive research in historical archives to find a contemporary solution that would combine aesthetics and functionality, while ensuring durability, hygiene, and ease of maintenance. The choice fell to the technical ceramics by FMG Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti, a brand of Iris Ceramica Group, specifically the Blast collection in grey, inspired by the traditional stone pavements of Florentine streets. As the designers explain, it is “an ancient material capable of speaking a contemporary language, uniting tradition and innovation.”
For the market’s internal flooring, covering a total area of 2,500 m², the Active Surfaces® version was also chosen: on the market for over 10 years, these eco-active surfaces are antibacterial and antiviral, anti-pollution, anti-odor, and self-cleaning, certified according to ISO standards. Furthermore, the effectiveness of these products has also been tested on the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with 94% eliminated in just 4 hours of exposure. The surfaces maintain their active properties throughout their entire life cycle, making environments healthier and more comfortable.
Through the interaction of natural or artificial light and air humidity, these eco-active surfaces eliminate bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mold, neutralize bad odors, and prevent the formation of polluting particles. Active Surfaces® are also eco-sustainable, as they are manufactured using at least 40% recycled materials, and are fully recyclable.
Among the various available formats, the 60×30 cm size was chosen, featuring an increased thickness of 13 mm, ensuring maximum resistance to wear and abrasions caused by the constant passage of carts and people. Safety is further enhanced by the textured finish, which is non-slip and reliable even in humid work environments.
To complete the project, the studio introduced the “stones of memory,” a gesture of collective remembrance – made of Blast ceramics – engraved using a water jet with quotes, proverbs, and Florentine and Tuscan sayings. Thanks to the division of the space into sectors and a simple, rapid installation process, the laying of the new flooring was completed without interrupting market activities while minimizing inconvenience.
Active Surfaces® were not only the ideal choice for the Storico Mercato Centrale di San Lorenzo but also for the Sant’Ambrogio Market. For the 700 m² indoor space, the Urban Dove collection by FMG with Active Surfaces® was selected, in the 60×30 cm format, 13 mm thickness, and anti-slip finish.
The architects of S+S Studio stated: “The Active Surfaces® materials were a real surprise, as they met the needs of all stakeholders. In addition to being resistant to breakage, wear, and chemicals, they are non-slip and offer an added value: their antibacterial and antiviral action. We became passionate about the concept and wanted to convey to the merchants the real benefits it provides in terms of safety.”
Active Surfaces® represent a concrete example of the forward-looking vision that Iris Ceramica Group has been pursuing for over 60 years in the world of ceramics. These surfaces combine design, research, and functionality to create projects that are aesthetically pleasing, innovative, and sustainable – but above all, respectful of nature and the environment around us.
