Starting off on the right foot: the importance of on-site inspections

When we are faced with a complex project, from a technical, organisational or time-related perspective, being able to inspect the site for ourselves is extremely useful, so we can gather all the information we are unable to collect over the phone or by e-mail. Aside from the technical details, which are fundamental, an on-site inspection allows us to have a broader view of the settings that are to host our marbles, to speak with local craftsmen, share important practical information about running the site, and define a shared vision with all the professionals involved. The world is a village and, since the stage on which we all act is the entire planet, similarly the experience accrued by our technical team allows us to adapt the on-site professionalism to particular local circumstances, optimising the results of our intervention.

For the supply of marbles for Hotel Soho in Azov, a Russian city that rises beside the namesake lake, we worked on site for several months paying regular visits, working closely with the designers and workmen. The measurements were taken in steps, following the progress of the concrete structural works, measuring the various parts of the building using a laser instrument (3D distance calculator) which provided us with extremely accurate and rapid measurements; for the more complex elements, we also developed templates for an additional final check on site.

The area which required the utmost attention (and for which our intervention proved vital) was definitely the entrance hall, with its monumental balustrade staircase and the Gris Pulpis columns.

The column cladding is worthy of mention. The supporting I-beams in fact were correctly sized from a functional perspective, but they were visibly too small and unassuming given the general context. The dialogue between our technicians and the local engineers led to a rather practical solution that proved satisfactory in terms of design: the marble parts were lined with infill material, and subsequently mechanically anchored to the existing metal structures, which were in turn covered with the same material to increase their thickness. This approach was equally used for the installation phase, which was meticulous and safe thanks to the use of metal hooks.

The staircase that dominates the entrance, which is even more impressive live than it appears in the pictures, was modified at the unfinished stage according to our instructions. The original concrete cast was in fact not suitable to achieve the aesthetic goals required by the customer; in this case too, our intervention allowed us to harmonise this architectural volume, which is key to defining the setting, as part of the concept of luxury and sophistication of the hotel. To complement the staircase, the massive handrail in Gris Pulpis was studied as early on as the measurement-taking phase of the project, to instruct the engineers on the structure they needed to build to support its weight.

Our teamwork allowed us to accommodate the aesthetic requirements and the set time frames, while also optimising the executive costs.

Irrespective of the type and size of the project on which we are working, it is always a good idea to start off on the right foot. Inconveniences can often occur and should be dealt with professionally; managing to start off without hiccups definitely makes it simpler to carry on and finish the project in the best possible way.