For designers and architects thirsting for new materials and designs instead of the all-too-similar ceramic tiles and marble, 'KAZA'—a new concept of three-dimensional concrete tile—was introduced to Korea for the first time in February 2019. By discovering an application method that is stronger and more robust than conventional concrete—known for centuries as the most common and useful building material—while being artistically refined, KAZA has brought out the true nature of concrete.
Founded in 2012 in Szentendre, an artists' village near Budapest, Hungary, KAZA is based in London, UK, and continuously experiments with and creates new designs through collaborations with designers and architects from various countries. KAZA Concrete's open design and production process operates a project-based custom manufacturing system that allows architects and designers to experiment with and realize their diverse design ideas.
KAZA holds no inventory and operates entirely on a 100% project-based made-to-order system, allowing production of not only its standard designs but any design the customer desires. Since delivery to Korea takes approximately 10 to 12 weeks, this should be taken into account from the early design stage of a project.
KAZA Concrete Tile can reproduce every color in the RAL color chart and currently comes in 24 standard colors (glossy/matte) and 6 metallic colors. The products have a structure in which natural pigments and white concrete are evenly blended, so the surface and interior colors are identical. KAZA products are inherently UV-safe on the surface and possess water resistance and stain resistance, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. If needed, waterproofing and anti-graffiti functions can be added to the surface as options.
For residential facilities, it can be applied to art walls, kitchen walls, bathrooms, and distinctive exterior walls of luxury mixed-use residences, villas, or private homes; for commercial facilities, it can be applied to high-end restaurants, receptions, swimming pools, and more. Through KAZA Concrete Tile, customers and designers can obtain an original, differentiated design of their own, unlike anyone else's. Installation uses polymer-based or cement-based tile adhesive, and cutting and trimming can be done on-site as needed. Grouting is required when applied to floors, moisture-prone bathrooms, kitchens, and exterior wall finishes; when installed as an exterior wall finish, mechanical fixing methods using metal reinforcements are also possible. The price of KAZA Concrete Tile is around 500,000 won per ㎡.
Kim Seong-hwan, CEO of Hwijung International, which supplies KAZA Concrete Tile in Korea, explained, "As a high-priced premium finishing material, KAZA Concrete Tile—which can breathe new inspiration into interior finishes—will be chosen by a limited pool of consumers, but it will quench the thirst of designers across various fields who want new designs." 031-939-3836
'Edgy' Composed of flat two-dimensional hexagonal tiles and asymmetrical three-dimensional tiles, it can create a three-dimensional space more effectively depending on the combination. (160×138×15/50㎜)