Near Seoul, the religious and tourist destination of Cheongpyeong has sprung up on a 25,000-square-metre site with the aim of expanding culture and global peace education.
Characterised by an imposing monumental spire 30 metres high, the Cheonwon Palace sees its main building development in the central body, topped by five large domes. The project, which involved FILA for almost five years (from 2018 to 2023), from the time of materials analysis to completion, is rich in marble, onyx and semi-precious stones. The minuteness of the details, the colour nuances of the floor petals, of rare beauty, required FILA's professionalism even during the pre-execution phases of the project.
The facades of the Palace, made of Omani marble, saw FILA's involvement right from the material's working processes at the quarry in Oman, for the pre-treatment with the use of PW10 protective, an environmentally friendly pre-laying anti-risalite solution that prevents the contamination of pollutants from the substrate. It is a specific solution for natural stone, marble, granite; it has water-repellent and consolidating properties and allows the treated material to breathe.
Subsequently, during the on-site treatment phases, FILA reinforced the protection of the Cheonwon Palace's overall exterior façades (approximately 20,000 square metres) with the application of HYDROREP, a protective, water-repellent reinforcement treatment that protects against water and humidity. It also protects the joints and defends against the deteriorating action of atmospheric agents, without altering the aesthetics of the materials. It hampers the formation of moss and mould and has a high penetration capacity: the ideal solution for a building that must last over time, carrying on its majesty.
FILA's solutions were subsequently used for the external landscape of approximately 30,000 square metres, made of Pocheon Granite, from the steps to the balconies, using HYDROREP water-repellent protection. This granite, mainly used for exteriors, is known for its durability and ability to withstand extreme temperature changes. Known for its versatility, it is suitable for multiple landscaping purposes, but needs to be treated to perform at its best and FILA was an excellent support in this regard.
Even the interior flooring of the Palace, about 3,000 square metres of white marble (including Tassos, Volakas, Aristone and Carrara marble), underwent an initial pre-treatment phase with the application on 6 sides of the PW10 protective coating and then, once the installation was completed, underwent a subsequent surface treatment with the use of FILA's MP90 solvent-based, water-borne oil-repellent protective coating (Ref. Memorial Hall, Lobby / Entrance Area). These floors are like 14 inlaid stone carpets, featuring neoclassical ramage motifs depicting chrysanthemums, anemones and roses in shades of yellow and white.
An impressive, grandiose and refined work, this South Korean creation stands out for its splendour, thanks to the skills and know-how of a pool of Italian companies, which contributed to showcase the high craftsmanship, knowledge of materials and their processing.