Simon Astridge Designed the Automatica Project Bending Machines
Amy Duong — June 6, 2025 — Art & Design
References: saaworkshop & dezeen
Ceramics brand Solus works in collaboration with tile manufacturer Italgraniti on the Automatica project. For this special project, architect Simon Astridge designed three vending machines that would reference the automatic factory process of tile creation. These three machines were made by Arcitile using porcelain tiles from Italgraniti and the design by
Astridge was to recreate the sample selection process -- this gives passersby a closer sensory experience in a tactile way. Users could use the machines and collect samples from the vending details with the free tokens they have collected from the Solus Ceramics Showroom.
Astridge notes, "The main intention is for people and machines to come together to create something they couldn't do on their own. Gabriele Masetti, Italgraniti's commercial sales director, adds, "Automatica offers a playful but purposeful way to connect with the design community. Despite the certifications and technical performances of our products, we knew we needed something quite different to make an impact in the London market."
Image Credit: Dion Barrett.
Astridge was to recreate the sample selection process -- this gives passersby a closer sensory experience in a tactile way. Users could use the machines and collect samples from the vending details with the free tokens they have collected from the Solus Ceramics Showroom.
Astridge notes, "The main intention is for people and machines to come together to create something they couldn't do on their own. Gabriele Masetti, Italgraniti's commercial sales director, adds, "Automatica offers a playful but purposeful way to connect with the design community. Despite the certifications and technical performances of our products, we knew we needed something quite different to make an impact in the London market."
Image Credit: Dion Barrett.
Trend Themes
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Tactile-user Interactions — Creating more tactile experiences in everyday interactions enhances user engagement and sensory satisfaction, paving the way for innovative engagement strategies in product sampling.
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Automated Design Integration — The fusion of automation with design processes promises to streamline and personalize user experiences, offering new avenues for creative customization in product marketing.
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Sensory Retail Experiences — Introducing sensory elements into retail settings fosters deeper consumer connections and offers distinct brand differentiation through experiential marketing.
Industry Implications
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Ceramics — Emerging technologies offer the ceramics industry unique opportunities to enhance traditional materials with interactive and customizable features, shaping novel product interactions.
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Vending Machine Manufacturing — As vending machines evolve to include design and sensory elements, manufacturers have the opportunity to transform the vending landscape into interactive retail platforms.
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Architectural Design — Integrating technology with architectural elements can redefine space usage and user interaction, sparking innovation in architecture that merges functionality with art.
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