Italtile presents The duo behind Laufen Mastercraft

Shining a light on the creatives behind the designs, Italtile is proud to introduce Ludovica Palomba Serafina and Roberto Palomba, the duo behind Laufen Mastercraft.

Known for their extraordinary pieces of functional art, the designer-and-architect partners spearhead the eponymous Palomba Serafini Associati interior and architecture studio in Milan, Italy.

Here, they chat with us about their eco collaboration with Laufen.

How would you characterise your work?

“One of the hallmarks of our work is our fearless experimentation with new or unusual material. Another is a sensitivity to all issues relating to functionality and the need to provide long-lasting spaces and products to enhance them. This approach opened our eyes to the creative possibilities offered by Saphirkeramik, an ultra-thin, ultra-strong, ultra-sustainable new substance developed by Swiss sanware pioneers Laufen.”

Tell us more…

“Our collaboration with Laufen started in 2005, with the launch of the Laufen Palomba Collection under the Laufen Mastercraft label. For this, we developed a unique design language we termed “a fingerprint of nature’, using the Milanese design world’s fresh focus of the time as a springboard: a move between rigid geometry and asymmetry, with the exploration of organic shapes. Similar to today’s biophilic design ethos.

The biophilic shapes of each piece of sanware in the collection were made possible by the phenomenal strength and elasticity of Saphirkeramik – a futuristic technology that produces bionically powerful ceramic material that can be moulded and shaped into exquisite forms. Delicate, lightweight, wafer-thin. But tough as nails.”

And the eco part?

“Like all Laufen products, the Palomba Collection has been created with impeccable eco credentials, in line with Italtile’s LiveGreen ethos. Laufen’s manufacturing process focuses on sustainable methods of production that include the carefully monitored use of resources during production, a recycling programme, and then ultimately, the manufacture of products that function with elevated waterwise processes, to minimise the use of the planet’s most precious resource.”

The award-winning Laufen Palomba Collection is locally available from Italtile.