Marco Campardo, Bianco e Nero for Ace Hotel with Modern Design Review

Marco Campardo Bianco e Nero Coffee Chess Table Silicastone Ace Hotel

Bianco e Nero for Ace Hotel (coffee/chess table, detail),
800 x 800 x 430 mm, cast Silicastone, 2018

Marco Campardo Bianco e Nero Coffee Chess Table Silicastone Ace Hotel work in progress

Bianco e Nero for Ace Hotel (chess set),
work in progress, 2018

Bianco e Nero is a chess table moonlighting as a coffee table, designed for Ace Hotel, London

Bianco e Nero for Ace Hotel (coffee/chess table), work in progress, 2018

It was commissioned by Modern Design Review as part of the Ready Made Go series

Bianco e Nero for Ace Hotel (coffee/chess table), work in progress, 2018

Bianco e Nero for Ace Hotel (chess set), work in progress, 2018

The table is made from Silicastone, a material engineered from waste by Alusid

Bianco e Nero for Ace Hotel (coffee/chess table), work in progress, 2018

Bianco e Nero for Ace Hotel
(coffee/chess table),
work in progress, 2018

The slabs of Silicastone were custom-made for Bianco e Nero in order to create a unique piece

Bianco e Nero for Ace Hotel
(coffee/chess table),
work in progress, 2018

Bianco e Nero for Ace Hotel (coffee/chess table), work in progress, 2018

A gradient was composed by hand in Silica using 15 shades of grey in a suggestion of movement

Bianco e Nero for Ace Hotel (coffee table),
work in progress, 2018

Bianco e Nero for Ace Hotel (chess set, detail), various dimensions, cast Silicastone, 2018

A full set of chess pieces was also made by casting and cutting different pieces of Silicastone

Bianco e Nero for Ace Hotel
(chess set, detail), various dimensions,
cast Silicastone, 2018

Bianco e Nero for Ace Hotel (coffee/chess table),
800 x 800 x 430 mm, cast Silicastone, 2018

The table is easily dismantled thanks to the holes that allow the legs to be connected with the table top

Marco C

Bianco e Nero

Bianco e Nero for Ace Hotel, 2018

Alusid Silicastone
Unique piece

Made in occasion of the exhibition Ready Made Go 4
Curated by Modern Design Review

Bianco e Nero is a games table for chess and draughts made for the Ace Hotel in London, inviting guests to come and play. The table that calls attention to its function with a monolithic form and large sculptural pieces. But when not being played upon, the table easily functions as a regular piece of furniture.
The table is a reinterpretation of the traditional black and white checkered games board. Inspired by the rich texture of Venetian terrazzo, Bianco e Nero is cast from a unique gradient, Silicastone, made by Alusid. The material is made from 100% recycled glass and porcelain and is baked from stone-like slabs of material. The gradient shifts from white to black, indicating the direction that the pieces need to flow to defeat the opponent.
TTThe squares of the checkered chessboard are minimal, marked out by holes drilled into the surface of the table, therefore allowing the table to successfully blend with its surroundings. To match the table, a chess and draughts set was also produced from Alusid’s Silicastone, with each form determined by the inclination of the diamond blade cutting the slabs. The pieces are purposefully XL and add to the gravitas of the experience of playing at the table. Lastly, although Bianco e Nero is designed to feel monolithic, it can be easily taken apart and moved due to a simple system of connections.