In a growing number locations around the world, architects are opting for the innovative, comfortable Esthec Terrace system. This contemporary terrace system does more than embellish and enhance any space with its sense of luxury and functional features: with its freedom in colour choice, the architect can integrate it into any design scheme, indoors or out. Italian architect Daniele Lotti of Studio Lotti agrees.
Connecting indoors with out
Through his architecture firm Studio Lotti, Daniele Lotti has been providing a wide range of services, from design to construction, since the early 80s. He speaks highly of Esthec Terrace and has used it lately in two prestigious residential projects in the Italian harbour town of Livorno. Mr Lotti explains, “In many of our recent projects, we’ve been making connections between indoor and outdoor spaces. For me, it’s important that day-to-day living, both inside the home and out, is the best it can be. Naturally, we make higher demands on materials used outdoors, since these are continuously exposed to the weather. However, I want to use materials – from lighting to floors – that offer the same quality and flexibility outside the home as those used indoors.”
High-end projects
Mr Lotti continues, “We use Esthec Terrace especially in our high-end projects, such as the prestigious beach apartment in Livorno. Here, we completely demolished the building and built a new one from scratch, making a harmonised connection between indoors and out. The lively colour nuances of Esthec Terrace is an interesting choice in such a case. It is truly its own material, not an attempt to imitate wood, something I don’t like at all. It’s also maintenance-friendly, durable and easy to install, all major benefits.”
Whirlpool and terrace
The other project for which Mr Lotti selected Esthec Terrace is a residential building. “The resident wanted to have a whirlpool and a sun terrace outside. Because of the uniformity of material, I opted to use Esthec Terrace here as well. Both the double whirlpool and the terrace have been fully finished with it. Even in wet conditions, the product had to stay beautiful, provide good grip and never look weathered – these were the main considerations. There’s no comparison between this product and other, non-composite materials.”
Demanding client
It’s not just Daniele Lotti who’s enthusiastic: his clients love it too. “Thanks to the superior quality and the flexible colour options, outdoors spaces truly become an extension of the indoors: you can achieve the same level of quality. That’s what many clients find appealing. In the beach apartment, to get the most of the sea view, we removed a number of the walls and replaced these with windows and glass partitions. This forced us to think hard about the connection between the floors inside the apartment and outside. The floor inside was very distinctive wood, which could be combined perfectly, both aesthetically and functionally, with Esthec Terrace. And our very demanding client agreed as well!”
