Article by Michelle Heslop. Images 1-4, courtesy of The Size. Images 5-8 taken by Vince Klassen.
It comes as no surprise that neolith, a revolutionary porcelain stoneware, is named after the Neolithic period, the last stage of the Stone Age that marks an era of megalithic architecture, using large stones for building without the use of mortar or concrete. The latest choice of surfaces for many architects and designers, it is 100% natural and practically indestructible. Made from natural clays, feldspar, silica and mineral oxides, neolith is the high-tech outcome of the latest research and development in the ceramic and porcelain industry.
It’s not often a material comes along to transform and revolutionize the countertop world but neolith’s high-performance properties, current colours, large formats and variable thicknesses have rocked the design world to become the most versatile and durable solution for numerous applications.
And we mean numerous applications: kitchen countertops, backsplash, bathroom vanities, grout-less shower surrounds, flooring, staircases and even exterior facades. Enter Giovanni La Fauci of Beyond Surfaces, one of British Columbia’s exclusive distributors of neolith. La Fauci explains that, “people are always surprised that neolith is so resilient, scratch, heat and water resistant, colour stable, and lightweight. Neolith never requires sealing and is not affected by UV ray exposure; maintenance is almost nonexistent.”
La Fauci was approached by Interior Designer, Diane Kennedy about using neolith as an architectural surface for a luxury ocean front build in the Uplands. “Once the clients, designer, and architect learned about neolith’s repertoire of advantages, they knew their search for a durable, multi-functional material was over. The lightbulb went off for the clients in terms of neolith’s versatility and usage for their new build,” La Fauci says.
Used in multiple applications in the Uplands build, neolith adorned two fireplaces, bathroom vanities, chimney, kitchen, backsplash, and especially distinctive, the exterior facade. “Once the clients learned that they could put a hot pot down on the counter with no marks, neolith was a no-brainer for their stunning contemporary kitchen,” La Fauci adds. With an extremely low absorption rate, ideal for food contact, neolith makes the perfect kitchen countertop. While neolith is striking in the marble-like classtone hues, it also comes in iron, copper and moss versions to bring a touch of rustic charm to your home without using any metal. The timber collection offers the essence of wood, complete with a natural grain, minus the maintenance of hardwood flooring.
A natural blend of form and function, designers are turning to neolith for its diverse applications, durability, and its modern, sleek appeal. “Compared to other stones, it may seem more expensive initially but considering the low maintenance of this architectural surface, it is excellent value over time. It will look the same in 10 years time and won’t have to be maintained. Considering our proximity to the ocean on Vancouver Island, clients and builders in Victoria will be pleased to learn that sea salt will not deteriorate the facade of a neolith exterior. Neolith’s damage resistance recently made it an ideal choice for a family’s high-traffic staircase and our next big shipment is to the University of Calgary for a winter-proof exterior,” says La Fauci. And if neolith’s functionality isn’t enough, it is lightweight and comes in a large scale format with options for cutting slabs to the desired size. This is great news for builders, as this leads to more efficient installations and a reduced structural load. Neolith’s possibilities are infinite. Check out the new 2015 neolith product catalogue here.
