jaime hayon crafts kaleidoscopic pavilion for caesarstone within a milanese palazzo

during milan design week 2017, caesarstone presents a larger-than-life sized architectural installation by jaime hayon that celebrates a year-long collaboration, which first kicked off in toronto at IDS. unveiled within milan’s neoclassical palazzo serbelloni, ‘stone age folk’ is inspired by flora, fauna, and folklore. combining more than 40 caesarstone colors, metal, and stained glass, the project references the crystal palace built in london’s hyde park for the exhibition of 1851.

‘stone age folk’ is inspired by flora, fauna, and folklore
images by tom mannion

against the backdrop of the palazzo’s first floor ballroom, hayon has implanted caesarstone’s quartz material into the pavilion’s metal frame, imbuing the space with his characteristically playful approach. ‘a combination of art, design and architecture, this kaleidoscopic installation will be something that visitors have never seen before,’ hayon describes. ‘there is a strong element of surprise in the visible contrast between the napoleonic, marble-made palace and this beautiful pavilion, made with 21st century caesarstone’s quartz.’

the installation is set against the backdrop of the palazzo’s first floor ballroom
images by tom mannion

despite employing traditional high-end stone marquetry and stained glass window techniques, ‘stone age folk’ is underpinned by an reinterpretation of the natural environment, the animal kingdom, and folklore. hayon’s influences range from hungarian myths to african tribes — ‘visitors entering this fantasy world will see the caesarstone material perform in a way that incites new levels of creativity and have an amazing visual image of its ‘arty’ and luxurious qualities. I hope, with this very graphic and folkloric installation, to put a smile on people’s faces and compel them to think that they are in milan for the furniture fair, but they have just seen a ‘funtastico’ world.’

caesarstone’s quartz material is carefully merged with the pavilion’s metal frame
images by tom mannion

the pavilion is presented alongside carousels made of caesarstone, handcrafted furniture pieces, and light fixtures. throughout the installation, dining tables, cabinets, and other furniture pieces become bird-like characters and other animated faces. together, the objects add to the kaleidoscopic sensibility of the installation and allow visitors to playfully interact with the material in an unexpected way.

hayon employed traditional high-end stone marquetry and stained glass window techniques
images by tom mannion

‘the kitchen space is continuing its journey to the center of the home and, what used to be the family’s meeting point, is turning out to be a ‘future living room’, a place where we entertain and host,’ says raanan zilberman, CEO of caesarstone. ‘as such, I feel that the kitchen space will become more expressive and personal and we will see designers and consumers’ increasing adoption of maximalism and material richness to confer a unique and personal look and feel to the kitchen. we are inspired by the visionary work of jaime and the way this demonstrates the ‘boundless boundaries’ of our materials and their application. I am proud to work for a company that creates a product that generates emotions.’

visitors can playfully interact with the material in an unexpected way
images by tom mannion