Projects
A location in the heart of nature
CENTURY
2015
Located in South Africa’s Western Cape, along the famous “Garden Route” road with its stunning panoramic views of the country’s southern coastline, George is a welcoming small town about half way between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.
Established in 1811, George was the first town of the British dominions and was named after the then king, Gearge III. Since 1776, however, the area had also been home to a small settlement of the Dutch East India Company, which traded in timber from the Outeniqua forests.
Thanks to its strategic position and almost Mediterranean climate, with moderate, warm summers and mild winters, George is now a popular tourist destination. Its Botanical Garden is home to many of the plant species of the Cape Floral Kingdom. The town is also well-known as a centre for trekking and other nature-oriented sports and provides a convenient base for the nearby Tsitsikamma National Park.
On flatlands outside George lies Olympia Estate, a horse riding centre where riders and animals can enjoy wide open spaces and a tranquil, relaxing atmosphere. Thirty-eight covered stables, individual care for the horses, and a paddock with an electric fence that is monitored 24 hours a day are just some of the services on offer.
Olympia Estate recently opened Acropolis Venue, a superb location for events, wedding receptions, corporate dinners and private parties. The venue’s villa is set in enchanting, refined yet simple surroundings, and stands out for the intimate, exclusive atmosphere it offers guests.
The building complex is closely integrated with the garden around it, thanks to a clever use of natural light made particularly effective by an open terrace, and is characterised by a cleverly coordinated compositional simplicity. A modern interpretation of classic colonial architecture, the front of the building appears almost in the background, and is rigorously divided by an orderly series of French windows.
The cohesive look of the project is emphasised by carefully selected materials and harmonious colour combinations. The warm colours of the façade are repeated on the floor of the complex, which is entirely covered in Lyra and Scorpios colours, 30×60 cm, through-body porcelain tile from Century’s Kosmos collection.
Used as a vital element in the composition, this ceramic covering plays a key role in setting the desired tone for the villa: the floor is covered in the same tiles indoors and out, creating an orderly, homogeneous look and adding a touch of style to the rooms.
The Kosmos collection is designed for use in both private and public spaces, indoors and outdoors, and was chosen here for its impressive physical, chemical and mechanical specifications (essential for high traffic applications) and attractive appearance. Kosmos through-body fine porcelain tiles are the result of the careful mixing of selected raw materials and advanced production processes. They therefore represent the perfect choice for this project’s design requirements.
Century, Kosmos collection
porcelain stoneware
30x60 cm
Lyra, Scorpios
Water absorpion (ISO 10545-3): compliant
Chemical resistance (ISO 10545-13): compliant
Resistance to deep abrasion (ISO 10545-6): compliant
Stain resistance (ISO 10545-14): compliant
Frost resistance (ISO 10545-12): compliant
Modulus of rupture and breaking strength (ISO 10545-4): compliant
Slip resistance (DIN 51130): compliant
Thermal shock resistance (ISO 10545-9): compliant
Crazing resistance (ISO 10545-11): compliant
Linear thermal expansion (ISO 10545-8): compliant
LEED