Opened at the end of June, Refin Studio Paris is Ceramiche Refin’s first showroom in France, a space where architects, interior designers and other professionals can explore the relationship between materials, research and design.
Located in the heart of the 11th arrondissement, at 9 bis rue Auguste Barbier, in one of the capital’s most dynamic and creative neighborhoods, Refin Studio Paris brings the city the design approach that has distinguished the company for more than 60 years, turning the search for surfaces into an experience of exploration, in-depth analysis and design development.
“Every project is unique and its challenges inspire our work” is this belief, which greets visitors to the technical area and guides the entire concept of the space. Designed in-house by Ceramiche Refin’s team of architects, Refin Studio Paris was created to offer not just a place to discover the brand’s collections, but an environment in which to explore their potential applications, engage with industry specialists and develop bespoke solutions for every project.
Upon entering, a series of images tells the story of the company’s identity and the people who represent its beating heart: from the Salvaterra, Italy, headquarters to the raw materials, from the production facility to the laboratory, right through to the photography studio and the Refin Experience – the factory tour that welcomes designers and professionals from all over the world every year. A narrative that captures the manufacturing ethos and design culture that have always guided the brand.
Rather than being organized into distinct areas, Refin Studio Paris unfolds as a series of complementary experiences. The company’s story, the exploration of the collections, technical consultancy and research coexist within a space designed to foster dialogue and the sharing of expertise. A continuous wooden bookcase, featuring elements clad in porcelain stoneware – a direct expression of various Ceramiche Refin collections – guides visitors along the route and serves as a connecting element between the different areas dedicated to exploring materials and design.
The latest Ceramiche Refin collections are presented in a setting designed to encourage a hands-on and informed experience of the surfaces. A comprehensive materials library, sample drawers, and an interactive multimedia table that interfaces with the digital catalogue via samples fitted with chips – which, through a sensor positioned beneath the tabletop, trigger the on-screen display of all the collection’s details – enable architects and designers to explore collections, formats, finishes, thicknesses and potential applications in depth, transforming product consultation into a practical working tool.
This commitment to exploration finds expression in the area dedicated to Reliefs, six three-dimensional structures capable of imparting unexpected tactile sensations and aesthetic perceptions to surfaces, thanks to innovative technology that plays with light and shadow to transform walls, architectural volumes and furnishings into dynamic, textural surfaces. This highly tactile dimension is also reflected in the two DTS – Daring Art Explorations collections, the project through which Ceramiche Refin explores the dialogue between ceramics and contemporary art, with recent collaborations with Quayola and Oliver Laric, which have given rise to Glint Variation and Metamorphoses Variation respectively – further evidence of an approach that interprets ceramics as a field of experimentation and cross-fertilization between different artistic languages.
The experience culminates in the technical area, designed as a space for discussion and consultation, where the Refin team works alongside professionals to identify the solutions that best meet the needs of each project. It is a space that fully embodies the company’s philosophy and its commitment to building relationships based on collaboration and the sharing of expertise.
The Cabine de Lumière also plays a key role in supporting the design process; it is a tool designed to observe colors, textures and finishes under various simulated lighting conditions. By recreating scenarios ranging from natural light to residential and commercial environments, planners and designers can assess how surfaces behave in different application contexts, allowing for more effective material choices.
The experience is rounded off by a hospitality area designed for socialising and discussion, underlining the networking nature of Refin Studio Paris and its mission to become a key hub for the international design community.
With Refin Studio Paris, Ceramiche Refin brings its culture of materials and design to the French capital, creating a space where surfaces are not simply on display, but can be understood, tested and developed as part of a design process. It is a place where research, technical expertise and dialogue guide architects and designers in transforming ideas into concrete solutions.
