The choice of a few materials, their careful arrangement and the exploration of colour palettes are the principles guiding the pencils of Herrero & Vázquez architects, owners of a Spanish interior design studio known for its refined, high quality projects.

Minimalist, balanced and elegant is also the project for a flat in Madrid's Chamberí district, characterised by the dialogue between wood and Neolith® Beton, the cement-effect cladding produced by Neolith®, the pioneering brand of Sintered Stone.

The Spanish architects combine the two materials with delicacy throughout the entire dwelling, from the large open space living room to the bathroom, making the project unified and without frills.

Neolith® Beton was used for the kitchen, for various cabinets and worktops and also for the flooring. But the main piece, the real centrepiece of the whole flat, is a furnishing in the living room that includes a fireplace and shelving.

The final result is a bright, open and airy flat in which the brushed oak floors, white walls and rough concrete structural pillars enhance the precious materiality of the Neolith® surfaces.

The combination of aesthetics and high performance is the real secret of Neolith® surfaces: they are available in over 50 colours, patterns and finishes to meet any design brief; they are also ultra-hygienic and resistant to scratches, stains and water, thus adapting to any environment, from the bathroom to the kitchen to the living room.

The performances of Neolith® Beton are also excellent in terms of energy efficiency. The surfaces are made from 100% natural raw materials and have a much lower carbon footprint than architectural concrete. Neolith® slabs also contain much less integrated carbon than cast or precast concrete.

Speaking about the use of Neolith® in the project, José Ignacio Herrero, of Herrero & Vázquez says: “For the residential project, we wanted to create a cool, contemporary and uncomplicated space using the very best materials, fixtures and fittings. Working with only three or four different materials challenges us to be more creative in the design process. We chose Neolith® not only because of its versatility, but its incredible range of highly-defined colors and patterns.”