At Clerkenwell Design Week 2025, Italgraniti unveiled AUTOMATICA: a playful and interactive installation designed in collaboration with London-based architect Simon Astridge, Solus and Arcitile.
Presented from 20–22 May, AUTOMATICA brings to life three bespoke vending machines clad in Italgraniti porcelain tiles – specifically from the Nuances and Marble Experience collections – and positioned at three key locations in the Clerkenwell design district:
- Farringdon Station
- Old Sessions House
- St Bartholomew's Church, Smithfield
Each machine allows visitors to instantly receive an Italgraniti tile sample by using a token available from the Solus showroom. This simple, tactile gesture is designed to transform the traditional sample selection process into a creative, sensory experience: Discover, Dispense, Design.
A project that reimagines the act of collecting a tile sample through a playful and nostalgic lens, giving shape to an experience where design, interaction and material converge.
AUTOMATICA is inspired by Italgraniti’s highly automated production facility in Emilia Romagna – a site where technology and sustainable efficiency work hand in hand. With this initiative, Italgraniti aims to bring the essence of its identity into an international urban context: innovation, quality, sustainability, and a strong connection to the design community.
The tile cladding of the machines was executed by Arcitile, overcoming technical challenges involved in applying porcelain to mechanical surfaces. The initiative is supported by Solus, who facilitated the collaboration between Italgraniti and Simon Astridge, offering logistical support and hosting a series of events in its showroom during the festival.
AUTOMATICA is also the subject of a short film by Superbeam Agency, documenting the creative and design process behind the installation.
Read the full article About AUTOMATICA: link
Credits:
Project in collaboration with: @solus
Designed and delivered by @simonastridge and Sam Frith.
Photography by @dionbarrett
Built by @arcitile
Video by @superbeam.agency
