panariagroup's ultra-thin porcelain slabs forge a chapel of the holy see pavilion

the vatican’s debut at the venice architecture biennale 2018 consists of 10 chapels that together create the pavilion of the holy see. architect francesco cellini’s design enhances cutting-edge porcelain from cotto d’este, panaria ceramica and lea ceramiche that, as well as being architecturally liberating, helps create a harmonious dialogue with the surrounding nature on san giorgio maggiore island. the material – innovative, sustainable, large ultra-thin slabs exclusive to the panariagroup – forms the extraordinary shell.

image © alessandra chemollo (main image also)

the holy see’s pavilion at the venice architecture biennale 2018 sources the model of the ‘woodland chapel’, built in 1920 by gunnar asplund in the stockholm gallery. curated by francesco dal co and micol forti, each structure was designed by a world renowned architect and showcases their interpretations of the concept through a place of orientation, meeting and mediation. francesco cellini’s design does so by creating a space of reflection and of significance by enhancing the architectural might of panariagroup’s innovative slabs, which achieves its compact and elastic composition through a single press production process.

image © alessandra chemollo

the small, simple but spacious design is distinguished by its rectangular parallelepiped shape, where a central transept, which acts as the alter, intersects the ceiling perpendicularly. the two structures rest as if suspended but, in actual fact, are 100 x 300 cm slabs of 5.5 mm thick stone, coupled with a thin aluminum core. their clean and essential lines accentuate the lightness of the ceramic surfaces and how it can even be used to fabricate contemporary concepts.

image © alessandra chemollo

furthermore, the laminated porcelain stoneware aids the structure to encompass sunlight, as well as the surrounding greenery. it does so thanks to an aesthetic of matt on the outside and shiny, reflectiveness on the interior. the strong chromatic contrast highlights the material’s versatility as its extraordinary appearance – created by a special surface process – can suit any project. additionally, the slabs are available in multiple thicknesses – 6 mm or 3.5 mm, 5.5 mm and 6.5 mm when reinforced with fiberglass for maximum resistance – and also in size – 100 x 300 cm and 120 x 260 cm.

image © alessandra chemollo

fabricating the structure for the holy see, francesco cellini showcases the extensive possibilities of constructing with panariagroup’s slabs. from floors to walls, from furniture to cladding and from new buildings to renovations, the advanced ulta-thin porcelain achieves aesthetic beauty and technical excellence in all architectural and interior projects; perfect for design professionals, architects and end customers. the innovation is of no surprise, instead it is a result of years of experience, continuous commitment to research, and ability to advance. the exclusive materials of the panariagroup from emilia, italy, are only available from their luxury brands – cotto d’este, panaria ceramica and lea ceramiche – who deliver the highest level of porcelain products to any project.

image © alessandra chemollo

image © alessandra chemollo

image © alessandra chemollo

image © alessandra chemollo

image © alessandra chemollo

image © alessandra chemollo

image © alessandra chemollo

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designboom’s coverage of the 2018 venice architecture biennale is in partnership with leading energy company edison. edison is taking part in the 16th international architecture exhibition of la biennale di venezia by initiating a path towards sustainability and the efficient use of resources. the collaboration between edison and la biennale is based on awareness that energy is one of the fundamental elements of architecture and of the places, spaces and cities of contemporary life.