A new stand design for Kale Group. Showing five brands under the same sign. And becoming a signature.

When an international brand asks for a new stand design usually is to mark a shift in perception. The Turkish Kale Group is the third manufacturer in the European ceramic market. As part of an ongoing expansion strategy in 2011 established Kale Italia as qualified hub for all the western operations. Opening to a world of possibilities, this sensible switch – along with a roster of hi-quality design-edge new products – brought fresh new energy, and ambitions to raise the brand value. After the necessary setting period, Cersaie 2014 resulted to be the first official worldwide presentation of this new venture.

A 700 sqm stand had for the first time to gather five different brands belonging to the Kale Group, with the aim to show clearly its presence in any segment of the market. The design agency of Architect Paolo Cesaretti – in charge of the new stand design and visual communication – decided to represent the tangible energy of this moment in the Group’s life through a vibrant outer skin tying together the five brands. In balance between analogic and digital, the skin was solid but transparent, enclosing but lighting. A digital pattern made of a natural material, thousands of MDF blocks.

The skin – an attracting element from outside, wrapping and marking a new identity for Kale – left edgeless the space inside. Here a central spine – hosting services such as reception, business lounge, meeting rooms, private offices, storage rooms – was organizing and connecting all the exhibition areas, outlining the concept of the space as a frame for displaying the fair amount of 26 new ceramic series. Inside the stand all the actions were focused on directing the attention of the visitor to the displays. With a no lost space attitude, simple fluid paths invited the visitors to discover and stop. Clear perception meant clear information along with a remarkable experience.

Mainly two different ways of displaying were designed. The From ambient to hype type – discarding the traditional idea of the room-replica display – consisted in a wireframe cage organizing shifted ceramic surfaces. Hosting moodish and stylish sets evoking interior decor solutions, it was used mainly for products belonging to the residential segment. The Extended display type was instead intended for large extensions of product display and consisted in plywood panel+platform display units. Used in all the brand areas for products with a more technical vocation. Additionally, bespoke display types were studied for the Edilgres hi-end collections. Here the ceramics became a landscape of sculptural surfaces organized around two chandelier-like installations made of hundreds of workshop lamps.

The stand general lighting was smooth, diffused, welcoming and some additional punctual lighting was used to underline the products textured surfaces. The stand design resulted to be symbolic, evocative and flexible. With a strong identity, adaptable to Kale’s changing needs and visions. Marking a difference, being inspiring, setting a trend.

Design: Paolo Cesaretti / Michela Pinna / Debora Palmieri / Claudia Astarita
Styling: Fulvia Carmagnini / Laura Mauceri
Photography: Lorenzo Pennati / Strefano Stagni / Denis Molinari