NRA Atelier’s recent team building adventures – Italy in 2024 and Tenerife in 2025 – were more than just trips. They were shared experiences that blended exploration, collaboration, and a healthy dose of Mediterranean spontaneity. The 2024 journey led the team to Sassuolo and Fiorano Modenese, Italy’s renowned ceramic districts, where they visited leading manufacturers including Florim, Unicom Starker, Cotto d’Este, Lea Ceramiche, and Panaria Group. These site visits offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at the full production cycle – from raw material processing to robotic handling and final inspection.
At Florim’s cutting-edge facility, the team explored large-format porcelain slab production, sustainable water recycling systems, and automated vertical warehousing. Unicom Starker showcased its approach to high-performance surfaces and aesthetic versatility, while Cotto d’Este impressed with ultra-thin slabs and advanced technologies for ventilated façades.
Each visit sparked rich conversations about material tactility, technical integration, and the evolving role of ceramics in architecture. The team examined how these products could be applied across NRA Atelier’s projects – from interior detailing to façade systems and adaptive reuse strategies.
The trip balanced technical depth with on-site learning, reinforcing the studio’s commitment to craft, sustainability, and continuous exploration. It was a chance to engage directly with the materials and processes that shape contemporary architectural practice, while still having lots of fun!
In contrast, the 2025 retreat to Tenerife was all about movement, ecology, and sensory reset. The team hiked through the Anaga Rural Park, climbed Mount Teide, and explored the island’s unique volcanic terrain. These landscapes offered a living lesson in geological layering, light modulation, and climatic adaptation.
Tenerife’s dramatic contrasts – black sand beaches, misty forests, and sunlit ridges – served as metaphors for architectural composition. The retreat encouraged reflection, spontaneity, and shared momentum, strengthening bonds across disciplines and generations.
Both trips reflect NRA Atelier’s belief that team building is not a pause from design – it’s a continuation of it. Italy offered material precision and industrial insight; Tenerife brought elemental scale and ecological awareness. Together, they shaped a richer, more connected studio culture.
And yes, there were plenty of candid photos, impromptu sketches, and inside jokes. Because good architecture starts with good energy – and that’s something NRA Atelier never leaves behind.
