A shop, a fountain, a square
In the heart of Milan, on Piazza Liberty near Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and the cathedral, the new Apple Store has a giant, parallelepiped glass fountain with water jets and the Apple logo. Designed by Stefan Behling of Foster + Partners, the store is entirely below ground, like many other such stores around the world. The access is through the glass walls of the fountain - so visitors can enjoy the experience of walking through the fountain - or down a large flight of steps in the square that doubles almost as the seats of an old amphitheater, creating a space for clients and passers-by to stop and for shows or events. Glass is a staple of Apple Stores around the globe, but here it is combined with water and stone, almost a tip of the cap to the famed piazzas and fountains of Italy. The exterior access, the floors and the internal walls were clad with gray beola granite slabs, except for a section in tile. Wood is also used abundantly inside, for the large tables and wall display cases. Mapei’s Technical Services assisted both with suitable solutions and materials. It was specifically responsible for the waterproofing of the foundations and the installation of the natural stone slabs and the tiles in the interior. It also provided the materials for creating the interior concrete floor.
Products used:
Foundation waterproofing: Mapeproof LW, Flexo S6 (Polyglass product)
Anchoring vertical structural loads: Mapefix EP
Special concrete casting: RCK 40 (Vaga product)
Laying natural stone slabs: Keraquick S1
Laying internal tiles: Keraflex Maxi S1
Sealing joints: Mapeflex PU 45 FT, Mapesil LM, Mapeflex MS Crystal
Internal concrete coating: Ultratop Living, Primer SN
Finish: Mapefloor Finish
MAPEI
Via Cafiero, 22 - I - 20158 Milano
Tel. +39 02 376731
E-mail: [email protected] - www.mapei.it