The Litex showroom in Foshan

Combining Italian excellence with Far Eastern influences, designer Zhu Boyang from RCHA has led an interior design project that bridges these two worlds through spaces emphasising curved lines and a colour palette curated by Ferruccio Laviani. The newly inaugurated Foshan headquarters of Litex Surface, a Chinese company specialising in the distribution of high-quality international ceramic solutions, embodies this vision. The design philosophy integrates the building’s architecture with the products on display. “By considering architectural form as a concept, we envisioned the project as a composition of spaces that facilitate integration not only between the different disciplines involved but also between Chinese and Italian products and between interiors and exteriors,” explains Zhu Boyang. “The project also aims to use architecture as a communication tool to enhance Litex’s brand position and attract investment,” he adds.

In keeping with the client’s profile, ceramic products form the central theme of the entire operation, reflecting both the geographical connection between Italy and China and the longstanding Oriental clay working tradition. “The contemporary application of ceramics represents a new interpretation of our cultural heritage in modern architecture. Litex Surface understands the importance of this material and strives to raise awareness by identifying trends and offering ceramic solutions that satisfy the needs of interior design and architecture through a variety of colours and decorations,” notes Zhu Boyang.

After selecting ceramic tiles as the primary material for the project, the next step involved choosing specific collections based on colours, textures and sizes. For this reason, RCHA opted for large fired slabs from Cotto d’Este and Lea Ceramiche.

In particular, large slabs (3x1m) from Cotto d’Este’s Advantage Skin collection were selected for the interior of the headquarters. This collection features a unique stone effect that blends some of the most striking mineral textures found in nature. The porcelain stoneware slabs, in Silver and Graphite, provide an elegant yet understated covering for key areas of the building, including the lobby and reception area, as well as the doors connecting the various spaces and certain accessories such as furniture and display shelving.

For the façade cladding, the architects chose the Pigmenti series created by designer Ferruccio Laviani for Lea Ceramiche. These ultra-thin large-format slabs, available in 12 shades, were combined to create a striking decorative pattern. “Litex chose these colours because they are smart, fashionable and energetic, embodying the youthful and passionate spirit of the Litex team,” explains Zhu Boyang.

In addition to their aesthetic versatility, both porcelain tile collections also contribute to sustainability. These 100% carbon-neutral panels are produced using eco-sensitive methods as part of the THINk ZERO project, in which CO2 emissions are calculated throughout production and offset over the entire product life cycle.