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Spanish tile provides a casual feel in Belgium

The city of Genk, Belgium, is an eclectic mix of Belgian and Mediterranean influences, with almost a third of its nearly 65,000 residents coming from Italy, Turkey and Greece. As an emerging employment center that is continually attracting new residents, the city’s bars and restaurants have become gathering spots for locals and visitors alike. Among them, the bar/coffee house 360 Degrees features a vibrant design with a range of contemporary elements, including Spanish tile.

The design of 360 Degrees was conceived by Creneau International of Hasselt, Belgium which prides itself on creating trend-setting spaces that also provide a brand image for its clients.

A common thread in Creneau’s designs is to connect spaces with consumers, and this was the goal for 360 Degrees, which is located in a new square within Genk. “The interior consists of natural elements with warm colors, which creates a nice atmosphere to drink coffee, have lunch or drink a beer,” stated a design description by Creneau.

In addition to elements such as stone countertops, rich woodwork and modern furnishings, 360 Degrees was designed with large-format tile flooring from Tile of Spain-branded manufacturer Apavisa of Castellon, Spain.

The tiles come from Apavisa’s Metal Collection, and they were specified in the company’s “Titanium Natural” variety. Providing a clean, crisp look for the interior of the project, the tiles are 60- x 60-cm in size (23.45 x 23.45 inches), and their use begins at the main entrance of 360 Degrees, where a large bar was designed by Creneau to ensure that customers on the go would quickly be served. The use of the metal-look tiles continues into the seating area at 360 Degrees, providing a signature look that can also withstand the heavy foot traffic that comes along with a busy gathering spot in an up-and-coming city.