Ceramics on the road

In recent years, the design sector has seen significant growth in applications such as yachts, camper vans and motorhomes. The yacht segment is driven by luxury consumer demand, while the camper van and motorhome sector is expanding in response to a growing interest in nomadic lifestyles. The appeal of life “on the road”, which has gained momentum since the Covid-19 pandemic, has fuelled the development of this sector. People are now more inclined to travel while working, engage in amateur and competitive sports, or simply explore new areas and tourist destinations while pursuing their passions. This trend has led to double-digit sales growth in a number of countries, with Europe and Italy emerging as key production hubs.

Designers and companies traditionally focused on interior design and architecture are now increasingly turning their attention to the motorhome sector. A prime example is Vittorio Pieroni, founder of the practice Vip Design, who has been working on the new interiors for the luxury motorhomes of Belgian brand STX. This collaboration, which began in 2021, continues today.

“This work largely derives from my experience in the yacht sector,” says Pieroni. “The interiors are inspired by the latest generation of boats. Every item of furniture in these new vehicles draws from Nordic design – bright, welcoming and designed to make you feel at home, no matter where you are.”

STX produces four motorhome models ranging in length from 10.60 to 12 metres. The fact that only around 30 motorhomes leave the brand’s production facilities each year gives an idea of the exclusivity of these luxury vehicles.

“The central concept of the design process involved maintaining the same living area layout while allowing the other spaces and surfaces to be adapted according to the vehicle’s size. We developed six moodboards to give clients the opportunity to customise the interiors while maintaining a cohesive set of materials and finishes.”

These vehicles stand out for the striking contrast between their rugged exteriors and elegant interiors, which feature leather, carbon fibre, selected woods, ceramic stoneware panels and luxury fabrics.

Ceramica Fondovalle was chosen to supply the extra-thin ceramic tiles for the bathroom and kitchen areas, seamlessly integrating a variety of textures into the material palette that defines the moodboards.

The hallmark of this collaboration is the use of marble-effect porcelain stoneware from the Infinito 2.0 collection, chosen in various sizes and coordinated colours across the six styles adopted for the STX models. The Infinito 2.0 products are inspired by various types of marble with different vein patterns and colours, allowing for unique combinations with the most diverse materials. Their aesthetic quality is matched by exceptional technical characteristics, including strength, hygiene and low weight.

The design approach and thoughtful selection of materials ensured the success of the models, prompting STX to continue its collaboration with Vittorio Pieroni, who is once again working with Fondovalle to develop new moodboards. As the saying goes: “Never change a winning team!”