Thursday, Cosentino, the global leader in natural stone, quartz, and recycled surfacing, opened its 14th North American Cosentino Center in Westchester. More than 300 building and design industry leaders and top Cosentino executives attended the grand opening reception. The new Westchester center, designed by Isabel Martinez-Cosentino, aims to enhance both the trade and consumer experience and continues Cosentino’s mission to expand its presence in the U.S. market over the next year.

The May 9 program included remarks from Eduardo Cosentino, President and CEO of Cosentino North America; James Amendola, General Manager for the Westchester Cosentino Center; and Brandon Calvo, Chief Operating Officer of distribution. The evening featured a striking aerial performance in the center’s vast warehouse, and an interactive game, where attendees visited stops throughout the facility to learn about the array of Cosentino surface offerings and the winner took home an Apple iPad Mini.

Now, all visitors to the Westchester Center will be able to explore and engage in the kitchen and bath experience — from material and color selection to specification and fabrication. With more than 25,000 square feet, the Westchester Cosentino Center showcases the full portfolio of Cosentino brands, including: Silestone Natural Quartz; ECO by Cosentino recycled surfaces; SenSa® Granite; Scalea Natural Stone; Marlique™ Marble; MURO™ Mosaics; and the Prexury™ Collection, a semi-precious stone line handmade by expert craftsmen.

The Cosentino Center is more than a showroom and distribution center. It’s designed to support, promote, and educate trade professionals by integrating distribution facilities, exhibition areas, and workspaces for designers to bring clients, classrooms for continuing education and fully functioning kitchens and event space for demonstrations. The centers create a unique interactive environment for architects, designers, distributors and fabricators to view the latest products and design trends, attend educational workshops, hear from visiting expert speakers and receive training on new product innovations and installation techniques.

Silestone®, the world leader in quartz surfaces, sponsored the “Chefs’ Choice” Award, naming Chef Grant Achatz of Chicago restaurant, Alinea as the winner. This award is part of “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2013” list, chosen by renowned professionals in the world of gastronomy.

Santiago Alfonso, Marketing Director at Cosentino Group, presented the award to Grant Achatz in the landmark Guildhall building.

The most important and influential chefs in the world, different professionals in the gastronomy sector and mainstream international media attended the event.

Silestone® is the official supplier of quartz countertops for “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2013” Chef’s Choice award. Last night, several different countertops in Silestone’s Green Fun color were seen by attendees during the ceremony. Also, a series of Silestone® trays in different colors were used by staff to serve cocktails to the guests. All attendees received an elegant set of coasters made by Silestone.

The Silestone Institute, an international platform dedicated to the study and dissemination of knowledge of the kitchen as both a social space and work space, gave guests a copy of its recent book, 90 cm above the ground. The book defines the concepts and standards for installations in the current professional kitchen and researches gourmet cuisine requirements. Leading chefs such as Andoni Luis Aduriz, Jose Andrés, Dan Barber, Carles Abellán and Joan Roca, among others, contributed to the book.

This is the third year that Silestone has sponsored “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” Chef’s Choice award. In 2012, the award went to the Spanish restaurant, Mugaritz, run by Chef Andoni Luis Aduriz. In 2011, Silestone® was the sponsor of the “Highest New Entry Award,” which went to the London restaurant, The Ledbury, run by Chef Brett Graham.

The list is created from The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of over 900 international leaders in the restaurant industry.  The Academy is comprised of 26 separate regions from around the world. Each region has its own panel of 36 members including a chairperson. The panel is made up of food critics, chefs, restaurateurs and highly regarded ‘foodies,’ each of whom has seven votes. Of the seven votes, at least three must be used to recognize restaurants outside of their respective regions.  Voters must also have eaten in the restaurants they nominate within the last 18 months. Voters are not permitted to vote for restaurants they own or have an interest in.

The complete list of winners is available at: www.theworlds50best.com/

Further engaging with the online design community, Silestone, (www.silestoneusa.com) the leading natural quartz brand, partnered with Modenus’ BlogTour for a series of events in conjunction with KBIS 2013 in New Orleans.

Kicking off BlogTour New Orleans, Silestone sponsored Modenus’ architectural home tour, where the group of 15 bloggers and editors from Europe, the US and Canada, got a glimpse of the city’s ongoing restoration projects. A highlight of the tour was the Lower 9th Ward, where Hurricane Katrina destroyed more than 4,000 homes, and the site where Brad Pitt’s Make It Right foundation (www.makeitright.org) has been dedicated to building 150 affordable, green storm-resistant homes for families to return to the area.  Silestone’s sister brand, ECO by Cosentino (www.ecobycosentino.com), an innovative line of eco-friendly surfaces made of 75 percent recycled materials, was specified for the kitchens and bathrooms of the Make It Right homes based upon its unique green attributes, C2C and GREENGUARD certifications.

On KBIS opening day, the bloggers received a preview of all Cosentino’s 2013 new product introductions and the opportunity to participate in a design trends Q&A with renowned designer Kim Lewis, a former Silestone Trendspotter, who was at KBIS to discuss her design inspirations and incorporating color into kitchen and bath design as part of her upcoming 10-city tour in collaboration with Kohler.  Cosentino also asked the BlogTour participants for their feedback on two new Silestone color seriess that are currently in the research and development phase.

“We’re continuing to see the value in engaging with design bloggers, and KBIS is a great time to connect,” said Lorenzo Marquez, VP of Marketing for Cosentino North America. “They’re on the pulse of the industry, and their input on our new products was tremendously valuable.”

Additionally, Cosentino partnered with Poggenpohl and BLANCO to host an evening cocktail reception on Friday, April 19, entitled, “Kitchen Unmasked.” At the event, the three leading kitchen and bath brands of European heritage discussed the hidden details in the kitchen that contribute to the overall quality and experience, but are often overlooked because they exist behind-the-scenes.

Cosentino (www.cosentinonorthamerica.com) the family-owned world leader in quartz, natural stone, and recycled surfaces, announced an exciting line up of new products and activities for KBIS 2013 in New Orleans.

Expanding its natural quartz brand, Cosentino showcased Silestone Suede finish, an exceptional matte finish with a distinctive design aesthetic that sets it apart from the traditional high-gloss appearance of many natural stone surfaces. The elegant texture is smooth to the touch, giving the surface a softer appearance with little reflection. Further developing the popular ECO™ by Cosentino line of recycled surfacing, Cosentino introduced four new colors to its stylish and eco-friendly palette.  The final colors were chosen by architects, designers and consumers via social media voting, underscoring Cosentino’s commitment to its customers and continual innovation.

Cosentino also used KBIS to preview its latest R+D efforts on two upcoming lines of exotic Silestone hues called Nebula Code and Oceana set to launch later this year. Inspired by the look of natural stone with dramatic movement and veining Silestone sought input from architects and designers on potential hues derived from earthy tones of black, brown and white.

In addition, Cosentino previewed the highly anticipated new ultra-compact surface, Dekton by Cosentino, at KBIS for the first time in North America. The launch of Dekton represents an investment of $172 million, 22,000 hours of RD&I, and the construction of an entirely new state-of-the-art factory at Cosentino’s headquarters in Spain.  The revolutionary new product, which can be used for both indoor and outdoor architectural applications, is UV-resistant, and comes in large format, extremely thin slabs and will officially launch in North America later this year.

“Cosentino was excited to have such a diverse offering to showcase at the most important industry event of the year,” said Lorenzo Marquez, VP of Marketing for Cosentino North America. “We revealed more information about Dekton, a major undertaking for the company, and showcased the continual innovation of our existing leading brands.”

Cosentino Group, the family-owned world leader in quartz, natural stone, and recycled surfaces, has teamed up with the prestigious architect Daniel Libeskind for the first time during Milan Design Week. The project entitled Beyond The Wall is installed in the main courtyard of the Statale University as part of the exhibit Hybrid Architecture & Design presented by INTERNI magazine.  The exhibition will open on Monday, April 8^th, 2013 with a press conference and will be on display for public viewing through the end of the month.

Daniel Libeskind’s Beyond The Wall is a unique concept created using Silestone® natural quartz surface in its innovative new matte “Suede” finish and color Tao. The result of this collaboration between Cosentino Group and Libeskind Design is a spectacular polycentric spiral.

The installation, based on the infinite possibilities of the spiral, is a unique structure.  It is not a traditional spiral with a single center and axis, but a contemporary spiral, which opens a plurality of directions along many different trajectories; a polycentric spiral, propulsively twisting to a dramatic zenith.

The external material of the wall is Silestone® quartz with Suede finish, whose geometry forms a contemporary fractal pattern related to the Golden Section. The pattern is integral to the wall structure, carrying within itself the structural logic of modulating scale and proportion within an endlessly fascinating surface. A kind of shiver should run up the form—an overlaying of a pattern that would break scale and dissolve the strength of the rising, twisting wall planes. It’s a mathematical mosaic, a mobile net that would run and break without repeating: a wholly modern concept of a tile, a ‘fractile.’ The aim is to find a similarity that never quite repeats, and to do that the surfacing would have to be a-periodic. It fits and locks together in an open-ended logic, as a network develops. The tiling has to be a growth of strange branchings.

This project shows Libeskind’s unique approach to architecture as a language capable of narrating the story of the human soul; a hybrid and wide-ranging force, at once a narrative, a method, an art form, and a way of thinking about the world.

Silestone’s new Suede finish quartz surface employed for the Beyond The Wall project, has been developed by the Cosentino Group R&D department and offers a unique honed look, as well as extraordinary performance with total color consistency and quality.

Silestone natural quartz is naturally non-porous and never needs to be sealed. It is easy to clean and has high scratch, stain, and heat resistance. Silestone is also proven to be a cleaner and safer countertop. It offers a unique combination of built-in antimicrobial protection that safely fights the growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew along with the assurance of GREENGUARD certification for clean air quality, and National Sanitation Foundation certification (NSF 51) for safe food preparation.  Silestone Quartz is available in more tan 60 colors and offers a 15-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.  For more information on Silestone, visit www.silestoneusa.com.

Dekton® by Cosentino, the new Cosentino Group ultracompact surface, will be the main sponsor of four times world motorcycling champion, Jorge Lorenzo, during the 2013-2014 MotoGP World Championship. Jorge Lorenzo and Eduardo Martínez-Cosentino, Cosentino Group Commercial Director and CEO of Cosentino North America, announced this exclusive today at the headquarters located in Almeria (Spain).

At this event, Jorge Lorenzo has shown his new official cap to the audience that will feature the Dekton® logo throughout the MotoGP season and worldwide promotional events that he will attend with Cosentino Group.

“Innovation, excellence and leadership are some of the values that unite and identify an athlete like Jorge Lorenzo and the new surface of the future, Dekton® by Cosentino” expressed Santiago Alfonso Rodriguez the Director of Communications and Marketing Group Cosentino during the ceremony.

Jorge Lorenzo accompanied by Eduardo Martínez-Cosentino, Cosentino Group Commercial Director and CEO of Cosentino North America, visited the new installations where Dekton® by Cosentino will be manufactured. The surface is manufactured using an innovative technology called TSP (Technology of Sintered Particles), developed exclusively by the R&D department of Cosentino Group. The young athlete witnessed the Dekton® manufacturing process firsthand. This revolutionary technology completely synthesises innovative procedures from the most advanced technology industries. This evolution represents a technological and industrial leap capable of generating a new process resulting in a revolutionary material and a leading product.

After concluding his visit, Jorge Lorenzo congratulated Cosentino Group and all employees for their hard work in recent years. “I am proud that the new Dekton® by Cosentino surface will be my sponsor in my new sporting season. Dekton® is an impressive product that was born to succeed”, said the athlete.

Dekton® a challenge for Cosentino

Dekton® is without a doubt a technological and commercial challenge and embodies the commitment to the future of the global company. Cosentino Group has invested a total of 172 million dollars and 22,000 hours of research to launch Dekton®, which will take place this year worldwide.

Dekton® by Cosentino is proof that you can still continue to innovate in the field of materials for the world of architecture and design. This is a completely revolutionary product that has superior technical features like low porosity, low water absorption and high resistance to scratching, staining, abrasion, thermal shock and UV rays, allowing it to be applied in any climate and guaranteeing the stability of its colour.

Likewise, Dekton® offers decor in volume and with infinite design possibilities. Initially, it will be manufactured in a range of colours that fully identify with the natural references of the product, i.e. colours similar to that of slate, cement, rust or natural stone as well as primary colours.

With Dekton® Cosentino Group has managed to combine technological innovation and innovation in design, and achieve superior results in performance quality.

Dekton® also adds to the already extensive and wide range of materials and quality brands to meet the changing needs of today’s consumers and professionals worldwide.

The new product will be manufactured in the Cosentino Industrial Park in Almeria (Spain) for all markets where the company operates worldwide.

Cosentino Group’s economic investment of 172 million dollars also includes the commissioning of a new Intelligent Logistics Platform that will be the centralised automated distribution centre. This new centre will improve the logistics and efficiency of Cosentino Group industrial park in Cantoria, Almeria, and it will improve communication, management and service with logistics hubs of the group, with over 70 Cosentino Centers located throughout the world, and all Cosentino Group customers. The shipment of Silestone®, Eco® by Cosentino and Dekton® by Cosentino will be organised from this platform to all markets where the company operates.

Cosentino, the world leader in the production and distribution of quartz, natural stone and recycled surfacing, has opened the call for submissions for its 7^th International Cosentino Design Challenge (CDC) for students in two categories: Architecture and Design.

The competition has fostered the talent of students in Europe for more than six years by offering an opportunity to showcase original concepts for innovative approaches to design and material integration featuring surfaces by Cosentino.  This year, the competition will extend its reach for the first time to include students from the US, UK, Asia, Brazil, and, Australia. For the US launch, Cosentino has partnered with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) who will also hold a voting seat on the esteemed jury.

“Cosentino North America is thrilled to introduce our successful international student design competition to the talented pool of American architecture and design students for the first time this year,” said Lorenzo Marquez VP of Marketing for Cosentino North America. “We’re proud that an organization like ASID has offered its support and expertise to usher in this outstanding opportunity for students here in the United States and around the world.”

Added ASID CEO, Randy Fiser: “We have created a dynamic partnership with Cosentino over the past year that includes a number of national and regional opportunities to support our professionals and students at events such as Dwell on Design, RealWorld DesignWeek (RWDW) and Go Pro. Now, ASID is proud to offer its support to Cosentino’s student design competition. This is an opportunity that not only promotes professional design challenges for our student members, but also gives them exposure to conceptual work from around the world — that will undoubtedly challenge and inspire them. We look forward to seeing the submissions and being part of the selection process.”

The full list of partner organizations and prestigious international schools includes:

• American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)— USA
• University of Technology Sydney — Australia
• Design Academy Eindhoven — Netherlands
• School of Design in Milan (NABA) — Italy
• Arts and Design Academy in Milan — Italy
• HTWK Leipzig School of Architecture —Germany
• IED School of Design — Italy
• The Superior Technical School of Architecture in Madrid (ETSAM) — Spain
• Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB) — Spain
• Seville School of Architecture (ETSAS) — Spain
• Almeria School of Art (EAA) — Spain
• Alicante School of Superior Art and Design — Spain

The CDC introduces participants to a broad array of global design trends and theories, enhancing their educational experience and knowledge as they prepare to enter a professional world with an increasingly international focus.  This year, students participating in the CDC Design category are tasked creating a concept for a dynamic office setting using any Cosentino material. In the Architecture category, submissions will focus on a new conceptual approach for an outdoor kitchen using any Cosentino material suitable for exterior use.

The conceptual submissions will be evaluated by a jury of prestigious architecture and design leaders based on a number of criteria including: Creativity, innovation, analytical research, product adaptation, feasibility, conceptual and technical quality, and presentation.

The CDC is open to all students enrolled in the 2012-2013 academic year, studying design or architecture at any college or university around the world. All CDC submissions require conceptual drawings and plans, and a report explaining the design solutions. The call for entries begins February 28, 2013 and runs until June 1, 2013. The CDC will award $1,500 to the top three submissions in both categories. Three second-place prizes will earn a cash prize in both categories and honorable mentions also will be issued. Additionally, winning designs from any ASID student members in the US are eligible for an additional cash prize and the opportunity for their design to be displayed at a leading industry trade show in 2013.

Complete submission requirements, additional contest information, and previous winners are detailed on the competition website: http://www.cosentinodesignchallenge.org

In his keynote speech, Martínez-Cosentino thanked attendees for their efforts in 2012 in keeping  Cosentino on a path of growth in North America, despite the difficult market conditions. He stressed the importance of having the ability to provide a fast and efficient service through the 22 Cosentino Center logistic platforms that Cosentino Group has throughout the United States.

During the convention, the new mission statement and vision of the Cosentino Group was revealed, which includes expanding the multinational’s business objectives from the areas of the kitchen and bathroom into the innovative world of architecture and design solutions. This evolution in the philosophy of the company, owned by the Martinez-Cosentino Justo family from Almeria, precedes the imminent launch of a new brand, Dekton® by Cosentino.

The launch of this new product, which represents an investment of 128 million euros and the construction of a state-of-the-art factory in the Cantoria Industrial Park in Almeria, Spain, was one of the key aspects of the speech by Eduardo Martínez-Cosentino, CEO of Cosentino North America.

“If with Silestone we revolutionized the field of kitchen surfaces worldwide, with Dekton we will open new business opportunities for our customers, starting in a few months with the United States,” Martínez-Cosentino said.

The company verified its firm commitment to growth in North America as well as new investments to earn even more competitive advantage. Noteworthy events for 2013 include the opening of a new logistic hub in Norfolk, Virginia, four new Cosentino Centers, and the refurbishment of some of the older Centers in the U.S.

According to the Chairman, Francisco Martínez-Cosentino Justo, “We are still in a strong position to maximize business opportunities in this region. Our partners and customers must rely on the strength of our brands, the constant innovation of our products, and our unique worldwide distribution system. Our commitment will continue to promote investment, and seek expansion and growth to achieve success along with our customers.“

With an overall consolidated turnover of 428 million euros and more than 2,300 employees worldwide, the North American market remains a priority for the company and represents more than 50 percent of Cosentino Group sales, with nearly 700 employees.

The four-day convention also hosted educational seminars on products, marketing, health and safety at work, and relationships with architects and designers. Additionally, expert speakers and professionals from the worlds of design, the stone industry and machinery, participated in the various programs.

Silestone®, the world leader in natural quartz surfacing, was the official sponsor of the “Chefs’ Choice” award, presented yesterday to Seiji Yamamoto for his restaurant Nihonryori RyuGin as part of “Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants”.  Organized by Restaurant magazine, these awards recognize the winner of the “Chefs’ Choice” as one of the most well-known and popular culinary professionals in all of Asia.

Seiji Yamamoto has been recognized by his contemporaries in Asia’s restaurant industry for innovating Japanese cuisine through the fusion of traditional and modern techniques. Yamamoto creates dishes that push the boundaries of creativity, following his philosophy “to pursue every single possibility for Japanese cuisine in the future”, a theme carried out at his restaurant Nihonryori RyuGin in Tokyo’s Roppongi district.

Rocío Arjona, Cosentino Group Area Manager for Southeast Asia, presented the winner with this coveted award during the gala awards dinner, which was held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on February 25. The Asian version of this award is one of three prestigious ceremonies designed to honor those included on “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2013” list.

Silestone’s presence throughout the award’s dinner was evident in many ways as ceremony organizers served the dinner guests their entrees on Silestone® trays in a series of different colors and selected a Silestone® worktop as an essential part of the exquisite event decor. Additionally, guests were presented with an elegant set of coasters also made from Silestone® as event takeaways.

The ceremony served as a precursor to the grand event, which will be held on April 26, 2013, when the full list of “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2013” is announced at the symbolic Guildhall in London.  Silestone® is pleased to announce this is the third time the company has sponsored this prestigious event, and the second time it has sponsored the “Chefs’ Choice” award, which the Spanish restaurant Mugaritz run by Andoni Luis Aduriz won in 2012.

Silestone®, the world leader in natural quartz surfacing, announces the launch of its new “Silestone® Authentic Life” advertising campaign for 2013. The creative concept is based on the authentic lives of everyday people and goes beyond the traditional campaign. The idea is that home life is comprised of small scenarios that make up the reality in which we live. The campaign enters these spheres of reality in the form of five influencers from the worlds of design, architecture, food, and fashion, to showcase the intimate relationship they have with their Silestone® countertops and to discover how the brand helps and inspires them in their daily lives.

“Silestone® Authentic Life” aims to reach different target groups by showcasing how the brand can offer possibilities to a wide cross-section of diverse lives and needs in terms of performance and functionality.  The new campaign concept embodies the brand’s evolution over many years marrying together the superior design and performance of Silestone natural quartz.

For the creation of “Silestone® Authentic Life”, five separate ads have been developed with real ambassadors who reveal what their “authentic life” is like. Each ad highlights the diverse and important facets of the brand such as design, functionality, flexibility, innovation and its emotive nature. The campaign consists of print and online media, a making-of video, and extensive photography.

The five-featured ambassadors include:

Macarena Gea, Fashion and Architecture Blogger

Macarena Gea is one of Spain’s most influential bloggers on fashion and architecture.  One of the ads features her in a workplace that mixes cool and vintage elements and where Silestone’s® Unsui colored elegant countertop with Suede finish is perfectly integrated thanks to its top quality design and versatility, and even incorporates a Silestone Integrity® DEUX kitchen sink. For Macarena Gea, a young businesswoman and lover of architecture and fashion, “Authentic Life is among the elements that give shape to our homes or the clothes we wear, and this is precisely what I write about in my blog”.

Alain Guiard, Chef

Alain Guiard is a renowned chef and the winner of the 2013 World Catering Championship, and another of the “Silestone® Authentic Life” ambassadors. He is featured in an elegant and streamlined cooking area with a splendid Lyra colored Silestone® countertop. Silestone® is the perfect material for his kitchen as it is the only quartz countertop with bacteriostatic protection that guarantees maximum hygiene. For Alain Guiard, “Authentic Life allows me to enjoy the challenge of offering haute cuisine to my customers every day, establishing a connection with them and the ingredients I use, with my tools and with the kitchen itself.”

Íñigo Castro and Eli Pérez (Estudio Normal), Interior Designers

The third “Silestone® Authentic Life” setting focuses on Estudio Normal and Íñigo Castro and Eli Pérez, recognized interior designers. Aiming to offer fresh designs for every budget, their projects combine common sense and accessible solutions for everyday problems. This is how they envisage their work and put it into practice in the elegant ambience of their Estudio Normal, where a magnificent Altair colored Silestone® countertop can be appreciated, as well as a built-in Silestone Integrity® sink and a radiant White Zeus Silestone® work table. This is where Íñigo and Eli create and breathe life into what both consider a truly Authentic Life to be: “spaces for sharing, for feeling, where much of what we experience is what makes each of us real. Our wish is for everyone to make their life unique and unparalleled”.

Xavier Mañosa, (Apparatu), Potter

Xavier Mañosa is a potter who together with his father runs Apparatu, an art project and family tradition where they currently work on a new concept of decoration based on ceramics. In their workplace, surrounded by craftwork and art, are two elegant Silestone® countertops in Magenta Energy and White Zeus. Both surfaces are witness to Xavier’s great work, which blends what he has learnt from his father as well as newly gathered ideas from his trips away from Spain. “This blend of tradition and newness or applying the most modern ideas to ancestral designs is Authentic Life for me”, says Xavier Mañosa.

Josechu, (Taranná), cook and adventurer

Via his business and his wide-ranging experiences, Josechu, cook and adventurer, is also part of “Silestone® Authentic Life”. After travelling the world for a number of years he returned to Spain and began a new adventure – Taranná – an alternative business idea that challenges the concept of the typical neighbourhood bar. Serving traditional recipes but with an original twist of ingredients, Taranná is also different thanks to its interior design that achieves a mix of cosiness and exquisite good taste and where a Silestone® Doradus countertop and a Carbono colored table with a Suede polished finish play an important role. This is where Josechu spends his days in step with the experiences he has lived as for him “Authentic Life is breaking with what makes you unhappy, searching for adventure and applying your experiences to the future”.

Over three months of intense work went in to finding these five ambassadors who, due to their experiences, their philosophy of life, leadership skills, day to day work, and belief and trust in Silestone®, have become the ambassadors of the “Silestone® Authentic Life” campaign.