The philosophy of dematerialisation

Valcucine was the first company in the world to introduce a radical rethinking of the door structure.

The Made in Italy Valcucine door consists of a structural frame in anodised aluminium, assembled using mechanical joints, and an aesthetic panel available in different materials, with a thickness ranging from 5 to 6 mm for Artematica and 2 mm for Riciclantica.

Thanks to specific design and construction solutions, the frame is not visible from the outside: the aesthetic panel therefore appears as a pure, uncoupled mass. A solution that combines formal purity, lightness and resistance.

The lightness of the door reduces stress on hinges and mechanisms, contributing to their durability over time. The frame is made of aluminium, a recyclable material. The aluminium profiles are also fitted with silicone rubber seals that act as buffers and provide protection against dust and dripping water. They are selected for their thermal stability and resistance to ageing.

In the case of the Riciclantica door with a 2 mm aesthetic panel, dematerialisation enables an 85% reduction in the material used for a 60 × 60 cm door compared with a reference door of the same dimensions made of 2 cm-thick chipboard.*

The variety of materials, colours and finishes available for the aesthetic panel expresses the product’s flexibility and supports a bespoke approach to design. The result is a door protected by an invention patent, capable of offering different aesthetic solutions and evolving over time.

The Valcucine top consists of a structural frame in anodised aluminium and a worktop available in a wide range of finishes.

The aluminium structure provides resistance and lightness while, in specific configurations, reducing the amount of material used compared with the traditional solutions taken as a reference. Secondary aluminium is also used in some components, helping to reduce the use of primary aluminium. The reduced thicknesses also decrease the overall weight of the top, making it easier to handle and install. In the case of the Linea H2 top in glass and aluminium, this solution enables a 45% reduction in the material used compared with a reference top made of 2 cm-thick chipboard.*

The carcass is made of chipboard faced with melamine paper, a solution that provides resistance to scratches, abrasion and stains. The chipboard substrate is classified as P3, a category intended for use in humid conditions. The carcass complies with the US TSCA Title VI certification and with the limit values established by the world’s most stringent regulation on formaldehyde emissions, the Japanese F**** standard.

The carcass consists of layers of wood bonded together with adhesives and faced on both sides with HPL (High Pressure Laminate), which provides resistance to scratches, stains, abrasion, impact, steam and heat. The plywood is selected to offer high resistance in the presence of moisture, making this solution particularly suitable for climates characterised by high humidity levels.

The Invitrum carcass consists of side panels in glass or aluminium honeycomb, a glass bottom panel and aluminium connecting elements. The structure is assembled without adhesives using mechanical joints and is designed to be disassembled, facilitating the separation of the glass and aluminium components at the end of their useful life. Both materials are recyclable. Unlike traditional configurations, in which two adjoining base units require two side panels, Invitrum uses a single 10 mm-thick structural glass side panel. This solution enables a 73% reduction in the material used for the side panels.*