FICo Fabbrica Italiana Contadina - Eataly World - Bologna - Italy
Architects: Arch.Thomas Bartoli
The natural beauty and unrivalled long-term performance of high-tech ceramic coverings by Iris Ceramica Group brand Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti were chosen to cover the Congress Centre at FICo (Fabbrica Italiana Contadina)-Eataly World, the world’s biggest food and agriculture park.
The natural beauty and unrivalled long-term performance of high-tech ceramic coverings by Iris Ceramica Group brand Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti were chosen to cover the Congress Centre at FICo (Fabbrica Italiana Contadina)-Eataly World, the world’s biggest food and agriculture park.FICo combines Italian ceramics and traditional Italian food, areas internationally acknowledged and appreciated as the country’s leading fields of business, in an elegant, innovative way.
FICo opened in Bologna in November 2017, designed by architect Thomas Bartoli on a 10-hectare lot, including 8 hectares of indoor space and 2 hectares of fields and stables. There was no increase in the size of the built volumes at the site, formerly home to CAAB (Centro Agroalimentare Bologna), preserving and reusing the existing buildings to prevent overbuilding, in line with the Eataly philosophy. The most prestigious elements of the existing structure were preserved (such as the glulam roof), while designing new spaces that are consistent with their existing design.
FICo represents the "dialogue between nature and manufacturing, between outdoors and indoors", illustrating every step in the process of food production, preparation, sale and consumption.
The foyer of the Auditorium designed by architect Marco Baraldi is covered with FMG’s TRAX natural stone-effect tiles in the 120x60 and 60x60 cm sizes. The 2500 sqm Auditorium is a multi-purpose space that can also be used to host conventions and private events, and the goal of its design was to create a grid module in hues of grey that would form a homogeneous whole.
The final chromatic effect is subtle yet evocative, thanks to the natural warmth of the TRAX collection of prestigious stones, the perfect solution for a place where numerous visitors are expected. The 5 colours in the TRAX collection offer contemporary versions of the timeless attraction and character of stone, maintaining its basic texture while underling it with details of workmanship revealing refined effects of light and shadow.
About 5000 sqm of wall and floor coverings produced using the Iris Ceramica Group’s ACTIVE Clean Air & Antibacterial Ceramic™ were installed in the food production areas at FICo.
Slabs treated with ACTIVE Clean Air & Antibacterial Ceramic™ stand out for their excellent anti-bacterial, anti-pollutant and self-cleaning properties, certified under international ISO standards.
The choice of these materials offers further confirmation of the potential and benefits of innovative high-tech ceramics, particularly expressed in spaces requiring the utmost care and attention for hygiene, such as food production areas.