Italian architect Rossi Rolando was tasked by the paint company Pintarelli Verniciature with designing a staircase that would look great, offer the appropriate protection and at the same time act as an advertisement for the company. A tough task, but he rose to the challenge with the help of MEVACO perforated sheeting. 

The main task of Rossi was to design a staircase with intensity and panache in the Pintarelli Verniciature company building, which dates from the 1980s. He had to show what Pintarelli Verniciature can offer its customers as well as fulfil additional requirements such as safety. 

The staircase covering had to provide all-round protection, something which is a given with aluminium perforated sheeting, thickness 3mm, due to its inherent stability. Roland Rossi could then draw on unlimited resources when it came to what colours to use. The specially produced MEVACO perforated sheet elements R5 T8 literally became a ‘living’ sample wall in 20 different RAL colours. 

“I alternately mounted the individual parts at right angles as well as slightly inclined,” Rossi says. “The wall thus unfolds like a leporello design.” 

As the area involved was up to 7.50m high, Rossi initially created a model in order to visualise his idea. 

“I then designed the frame on which the perforated sheeting could be mounted," Rossi explains. Next to it runs a narrow, high glass element. This is lit up from the inside at night. 

“The subsequent mysterious appeal of the “living” sample wall thus provides the ideal foil to the airy/light design during the day,” Rossi says.

“If it was always as easy as it is with perforated sheeting, then my job would be a lot easier. It was also not a problem to subsequently paint the powder-coated sheets,” Rossi concludes. 

What appeared at first to be a mission impossible turned out to be a walk in the park thanks to the wide range of application options possible with perforated sheeting.

For more information visit www.mevaco.co.uk