Cosentino Collaborates with ANARCHITECT
to Create Public Installation ‘Context Reflections’ for Dubai Design Week 2021
Research-based installation focused on natural light, materiality and sustainability, will be built using Cosentino’s carbon neutral collection Silestone Sunlit Days
Architectural surfaces leader Cosentino partners with award-winning Dubai and London based design practice ANARCHITECT to create ‘Context Reflections’ a public installation at the heart of Dubai Design District (d3) during Dubai Design Week from 8-13 November 2021.
Built using Sunlit Days, the first-ever carbon neutral surfaces collection from Silestone by Cosentino, the permeable installation will invite visitors to enter a darkened chamber to pause and discover the intriguing play of penetrated light created via a naturally occurring optical phenomenon. The self-operating, low-tech installation draws inspiration from the principles of ‘Camera Obscura’ of why we see what we see. The moving images conjured on the inside wall – inverted ‘live’ projections of the surroundings outside the construction – suggestively asks visitors to observe with attention and reflect on the constantly changing environment.
Elaborating on the concept further, Senior Architect Tom Herd from ANARCHITECT reveals “Context Reflections continues ANARCHITECT’s ongoing research into the relationship of natural light, materials, and the importance of context in all architecture and interior spaces we engage in. Given the diverse and unique international settings the Practice works in, the installation concept was developed by our Team for Cosentino to highlight the consistent importance of light and materiality in our work; as well as raise our sustainable collective consciousness by calling for the observation of the contexts that surround us, here purposefully using a low-tech, full-scale analog design tool”.
Design wise, ‘Context Reflections’ holds on to the principles of simplicity and practical sustainability.
”It was important to us that the installation was designed mindfully with minimal material wastage and is a demountable, reusable structure to give it the possibility of a second, third life”
— explains Matt Harding, another member of the ANARCHITECT design team behind the project.
Commenting on the materials that will be used in the construction, Miriam Llano, Marketing Manager Cosentino Middle East added,
“Silestone Sunlit Days is a pathbreaking carbon neutral series completely manufactured with renewable electric energy and recycled water. The 5 hues of this collection will be used to poetically represent the 5 life giving elements of our environment. ‘Context Reflections’ by ANARCHITECT for Cosentino is a meeting ground of materiality, environmental sensitivity and pure design.”
A deflection to the overbearing amount of information and technology, ‘Context Reflections’ creates an opportunity for introspective contemplation, asking observers to further question the importance of natural light, the environment, social behavior and the responsibility to preserve and behold all that is important.
About ANARCHITECT ANARCHITECT is a multiple award-winning London and Dubai-headquartered architecture, interior architecture and design practice. Founded in 2013 by British RIBA architect Jonathan Ashmore with a vision to deliver projects at the crux of understated luxury and contextually modern architecture, the studio has quickly gained an international following among the design-conscious clientele and high-end design & lifestyle press. About the Cosentino Group Cosentino Group is a global, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces for architecture and design. As a leading company, Cosentino imagines and anticipates together with its customers and partners design solutions that offer value and inspiration to people’s lives. This goal is made possible by pioneering brands that are leaders in their respective segments such as Silestone® and Dekton® by Cosentino®. Technologically advanced surfaces, which allow the creation of unique designs for the home and public spaces.