An experiment in white

The colour white is popular in all areas and has a unique significance in modern architecture. White is the epitome of clarity, purity and sublimity. White accentuates the geometry of buildings in particular measure. And white orchestrates the play of light and shadow in multifaceted ways like no other colour.

From inspiration to texture

What inspires you when you think of the colour ‘white’ in your work? For our ‘Kaleidoscope’ section, we asked five architects this question and asked them to each send us a suitable quotation and a photo. Without any further input from the architects, our product design team developed an abstract white sample with a unique texture.

This allowed us to trace the process pathway from inspiration to research, interpretation and ultimately the material. Each of these samples represents but one of the many ways of translating inspiration into reality.

An experiment in white: five different render patterns in white in front of a mountain hut — Five samples - five different material interpretations: The samples that our product design team created with the help of inspirational images and quotes from the architects show the many different ways in which plaster can be interpreted and designed as a material. And it becomes clear that white is not just white, but is influenced by many factors.

1) Armando Ruinelli

“I like white when it is altered by patina, shadowing or sunlight. White itself is like light without shade or lustre without dullness. As with most surfaces, the qualities of white are only first truly expressed in an interplay with contrasts.”

Ruinelli Associati, Soglio, CH; www.ruinelli-associati.ch

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How light shapes render

The path from inspiration to the actual built project is a long, but extremely exciting one. True samples are a first step in ascertaining what the end result would realistically be like. Discover how the architects inspired us to create unique render surfaces here:

Armando Ruinelli’s inspiration turned texture

Here you can see the exclusive making of the sample that Armando Ruinelli inspired us to create.
Discover how texture, light and shadow interact to transform perception. See how render and light shape the architectural space.
Watch the video now and learn how white surfaces become expressive materials in architecture!
Luca Selva’s inspiration turned texture

Here you can see the exclusive making of the sample that Prof Luca Selva inspired us to create.
Learn how white surfaces become expressive materials in architecture.
Explore the influence of light, texture and finish on facade design.
Watch the video now and learn how white surfaces become expressive materials in architecture!

2) Prof. Luca Selva

“When researching, we are interested in white in all its forms, a lesson learnt from American artist Robert Ryman, whose entire work focusses on white in all its manifestations on a 1x1 metre square canvas. Our interest also extends in the same measure to artist Rémy Zaugg’s question on the absence of white: where does all the white from the melted snow go?”
Luca Selva Architekten, Basel, CH,
www.selva-arch.ch