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Cultura Ithayela Lekhonkrithi Lodonga by Gabriel Costa

Cultura Ithayela Lekhonkrithi Lodonga by Gabriel Costa is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award in Izingxenye Zokwakha Competition Category.


InsimbiIzingxenye Zokwakha· 2024

Cultura Ithayela Lekhonkrithi Lodonga

by Gabriel Costa

Client: Castaa

Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award Winner in Izingxenye Zokwakha Category

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Colors

The Design

About Cultura Ithayela Lekhonkrithi Lodonga

Umklamo uphefumulelwe izimo ezihlukile nefa lobuciko lesizwe sasendulo sama-Jama Coaque sangaphambi kuka-Columbus, esasibuyela emuva ngo-500 B.C., esasisase-Ecuador. Luqukethe amathayela amane futhi inselelo bekuwuthuthukisa indlela esebenzayo yokuhlanganisa imigqa yamathayela ngendlela egudlana kuyo yonke imikhakha. Lezi zinhlobo zamathayela zivumela ukudala izinhlanganiselo ezihlukahlukene ngaphandle kokuphinda, zilingisa umklamo wesitembu esiphindaphindayo. I-Cultura ivuselela futhi igqamise inkumbulo nokubaluleka komklamo womlando wendawo.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award

Cultura Ithayela Lekhonkrithi Lodonga iwinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile okunikezwa imiklamo emihle ehlangabezana nezidingo zobungcweti nezemboni ezilindelekile ezimpahleni ezihlelwe kahle. Abawinile beNsimbi babonisa ikhono elikhulu, ubungcweti obuphezulu, ukuqonda kochwepheshe namandla okudala abadali babo. Cultura Ithayela Lekhonkrithi Lodonga ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo esebenzayo nenezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu zemboni futhi unezimfanelo zobuchwepheshe ezifanelekile ezihlanganiswe nolwazi nethalente. Cultura Ithayela Lekhonkrithi Lodonga iyahlonishwa ngenxa yokucophelela kwayo futhi ihlelelwe ukulethela izinguquko zomgangatho wempilo ezisiza ukwenza umhlaba ube yindawo engcono.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
The task presented by the design was to discover an effective approach for aligning the tiling lines seamlessly in every direction. The Cultura design comprised two distinct pieces: tiles A and B, each featuring a unique design. To address this challenge, the decision was made to make tile B a mirror image of tile A. Subsequently, by rotating both tiles 180 degrees, two additional tiles, labeled C and D, were produced. These variations in tiles enabled the production of a diverse array of configurations without repetition, inspired by the roller stamp patterns of the Jama Coaque culture.
Dimensions & Packaging
Width: 250 mm, Depht: 10 mm, Height: 600 mm.
Material: SSC/GRC.
Texture: Sleek
Finish: Semigloss
Tags
wall tile, wall element, 3D, concrete, home and living, pattern design, geometric, pattern
Production Technology
The manufacturing technique utilized involved the use of wet-cast high-performance concrete in thermoformed plastic molds crafted over an engineered aluminum routed matrix to ensure stable dimensions and a sleek semi-gloss texture finish.

After demolding, no modifications were made using any additional sources or tools for finishing beyond those originally utilized during the production process.
Design Challenge
The creative challenge lay in crafting an original piece to complement the other three, blending them together seamlessly to form a cohesive image of a repetitive bookmatched pattern within a natural design. The concept emerged: diagonal stripes intersected by inlays, mimicking a primitive depiction of animals. These inlays, strategically placed, would provide texture, allowing light and shadow to interact and imbue the entire wall with depth and meaning.
Research
The objective was to design a tile with aims of highlighting and bringing back the values of historical Jama Coaque tribe, around 500 B.C, known for intricate designs and innovative techniques. They pioneered the use of a roller stamp for continuous patterns, showcasing their innovation. Instead of using the same patterns, the focus was on enhancing compositions with fundamental design principles and enriching patterns with complexity.
Inspiration
Cultura is inspired by the distinctive shapes and artistic heritage of the ancient pre-Columbian Jama Coaque culture located in Ecuador. Renowned for their use of roller stamps to adorn pottery, textiles, and skin with motifs, they established a unique identity through this artistic tradition.
Project Duration
The development of the tile design was made approximately 1 year before production and was manufactured by CASTAA from October 2022 to December 2022 in Duran, Ecuador.
Operation Flow
The Tiling Method:

a. Determine the wall dimensions.
b. Mark the midpoint along the width.
c. Calculate the tiles quantity required to fill the upper left row
d. Choose your code type: single, bi, tri and quad code.
e. Place the chosen code in the upper left row and fills to the end.
f. Bookmatched by placing the opposite tile on the right half row.
g. Fill the entire second row bellow by placing once again, the bookmatched tiles from the first row with their corresponding opposite tiles.
h. Copy the block area of 2 complete rows downward by replicating it until the entire wall is fully covered.
Patents
Copyrights C-001-2019-GC (Cultura) belong to Gabriel Costa Year 2019.
Team Members
Designer: Gabriel Costa
Image Credits
Image #1 : Photographer Andres Carrion, Cultura, 2023
Image #2 : Photographer Andres Carrion, Cultura, 2023
Image #3 : Photographer Andres Carrion, Cultura, 2023
Image #4 : Photographer Gabriel Costa, Cultura, 2023
Image #5 : Photographer Andres Carrion, Cultura, 2023

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