«I think that in architecture there is no magical muse that we can say is responsible for our creation. It is mainly about knowledge: knowledge of the world and of architectural works of all time, I intend to visit them and experience them as architectural objects, considered both art and science», Iulia Toader, founder, tells us SP!C if Interior Architecture Consultant SANFLORIAN.
«Knowledge of construction technologies and new possibilities. And last but not least, knowledge of the psychology and lifestyle of the beneficiary of the architecture project. Knowledge of your culture down to the smallest details.»
Who is Iulia Toader?
Iulia began her career as an interior designer by studying fine arts in parallel with primary and secondary schools, but followed her studies at an IT high school. He began special preparations for drawing, after which he took admission into the program University of Architecture and Urban Planning «Ion Mincu». (UAUIM) from Bucharest. «I have always preferred the study of architectural plasticity to function and structure, but I love the language of proportions, so I specialized in the classical orders. From here to interior architecture it was only a step. The work is very rewarding and very tiring at the same time, but I have always been attracted by challenges.»
In the profession of interior designer, Iulia Toader was particularly attracted by the freedom of choice, as she tells us. Architects have the opportunity to experience the feeling of spiritual freedom when, from the multitude of possible plastic and functional solutions, a perfect specification emerges and they choose to transform the project first, and then into reality.
«For me, this transition from idea to concrete has a certain fascination. I also had total creative freedom. Furthermore, it is a job where, in many cases, you can say or hope that something stays behind you, literally.»
We asked Iulia to detail one of her reference projects made with natural stone. Find out more about what agreement this is.
Attractive crossing spaces
«This project is one of the transition spaces towards conference areas, lobbies, waiting areas, places which, although not representing the main function like the management office or the SPA, must prepare the visitor for a special meeting. In these spaces, we place the emphasis on the path and on the floor to emphasize the character of a fluid, passage space and to suggest the importance of each step up to the expected meeting. The floors not only have a functional role, of physical resistance, but also an accent role in these arrangements, of eye-catcher».
What did the client want from this project?
«Welcoming and waiting spaces, some specifically requested because they are imposing, characterized by sobriety, others tidy and very bright, which inspire relaxation».
What types natural stone Were they used?
«To highlight the floors with geometric stereotomies, the walls were generally treated in a neutral way, with wear-resistant vinyl wallpapers or structured decorative paints, such as tone-on-tone stuccos (San Marco). In the case of the stone used, I think I was influenced by Byzantine floors. I like combinations of at least three varieties, obviously adapted to contemporary tastes. For example, I used three types of granite: Fantastic White, Black Galaxy yes Cippolino Ondulato.
«Today we have the opportunity to use stone in the most advanced ways»
(…) If we analyze the creations of cultures such as Romanian or Byzantine, we discover true jewels of craftsmanship and advanced technology. Mosaics and opus sectile (a form of pietra dura known in ancient and medieval Rome, where materials were cut and inlaid into walls and floors to create an image or pattern) have always fascinated me. It is difficult to combine colours, veins, orientations and often different textures, because the unity of the composition and the initial intention are often lost», says the architect.
«Moreover, with this type of stereotomies, the orientation of each slab is essential, as is the perfect finish of the cuts, not to mention the impeccable quality of the variety of stone used. I always wanted to refer to the clues of the history of architecture, hidden in furnishing details such as the Eileen Gray table, one of the most charismatic female architects, sandwiched between two reinterpreted vintage chairs, but in natural leather, the color of cognac. All the details suggest sobriety tailoring, but subtle accents such as the design of the table or the wavy pattern of the stone balance the whole.
Timeless design
«I could insert this solution in a retro style, but I prefer timeless. When it comes to important investments, I prefer to adopt design formulas that do not go out of fashion, that say something even after years of use. In fact, there is a current trend, that of refurnishing contract spaces after five years of use, but for certain projects it is necessary to convey the feeling of stability and resilience».
Drawing the stereotomy was the part that Iulia Toader liked most, the moment of creation and freedom that she talks about. Another phase that Iulia Toader appreciated most in this project was the selection of varieties granite.
The biggest challenge of the project is access to the spaces to be set up, which does not allow the use of large slabs: «Hence the stereotomy that combines small slabs, I say, without falling into repetitive monotony. Furthermore, cutting very clear joining angles has always been a challenge.»
What are Iulia Toader’s future plans?
“Now I am preparing my doctorate at UAUIM with the topic>. My topic concerns precisely the way in which the buildings and spaces that surround us and in which we live influence our behavior by creating architectural atmospheres. Everything we can perceive with our senses changes our lives and materials in architecture, especially for us city dwellers. I also want to promote furniture and design pieces signed by renowned architects in architectural displays. Identifying high-level specialists in art and architecture is a priority for our developing society, that’s why we started professional seminars SP!C.«
Iulia Toader’s portfolio is diverse and composed of reference projects. If you want to collaborate with Iulia you can find her via siteof or page of Official Facebook
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