The island of Ischia doesn’t just offer more than 100 hot springs and a rich history, it also has narrow streets filled with cafés, bars, and bistros. How better to enjoy the unique atmosphere of southern Italy than to make an early-morning visit to the Mezzo Chilo Bakery and in the evening sit down in the heart of the port of Ischia at the MEDORA Bistro and Lounge Bar?
Both of these interior spaces are linked by the name of the Italian-born architect Francesco Ambrosino, who founded his studio in 2014. Since 2016, TechniStone® has been an integral part of his projects.
“At that time, I had a client who wanted to have an open kitchen with durable, non-porous, and aesthetically pleasing countertops. I found engineered stone from Technistone when I was looking for a material with those qualities. Since then, having observed the technical, mechanical and chemical advantages of engineered stone year after year, my trust in the material has only grown.”
The Italian architect is pleased not only by the above-mentioned qualities of TechniStone®, but also by the ability to fabricate fine details with the material. He most often chooses clean, light designs like Crystal Calacatta Silva, Crystal Absolute White, and Noble Areti Bianco.
The Crystal Calacatta Silva design can be found in two establishments designed by Francesco on the island of Ischia that are popular with locals and tourists alike: the Mezzo Chilo Bakery in Forio and the MEDORA Bistro and Lounge Bar.
In his designs, Francesco Ambrosino works with respect for place, history, and the natural rhythm of life. The style of both interiors reflects contemporary Mediterranean architecture with natural materials, natural light, attention to detail, and a light color scheme.
The MEDORA Bistro is dominated by a rounded bar, while the Mezzo Chilo Bakery features the clean lines of a functional sales counter. In both places, Crystal Calacatta Silva is used as a key design element that links the sales area with the overall atmosphere of the space.
Crystal Calacatta Silva combines its subtle marble design with high durability and easy maintenance, making it the ideal surface when the desire for elegance has to accommodate the realities of a busy customer service area.
The quality of the stonemasons’ installation plays a key role. Carefully polished edges, inconspicuous seams, and perfect integration with vertical construction elements ensures not only a pleasant visual impact, but also problem-free maintenance in daily use.
One of the main advantages of engineered stone from TechniStone® is its full-body design. The veining permeates the entire cross-section of the material and is visible even on its exposed edges. Thanks to that design element, a TechniStone® slab looks authentic in every detail, without need for adding layers, gluing, or masking.
The surfaces of the slabs used in both interiors have a polished finish, which emphasizes the depth of the design and reflects natural light. The result is a bright, cheery, clean-looking space.
The Mezzo Chilo and MEDORA projects clearly demonstrate that every material used in an interior has its own importance. Crystal Calacatta Silva brings lightness and elegance to interiors without surrendering to the demands of heavy use. Thanks to thoughtful choices and precise workmanship, the two interiors represent a felicitous combination of aesthetics and functionality.
