Posted in Minoli
27th June 2022
It seems that interest in high performance cars and all-things automotive is at a high, as evidenced by the attendance figures and live coverage on mainstream television of the Goodwood Festival of Speed at the weekend.
Creating special places to store and safeguard these luxury and collectable cars is nothing particularly new, but we’re excited to see more specialist firms getting into the design and fit-out of increasingly ambitious bespoke garages.
This increasingly active and innovative area of architecture and interior design spans from simple or specialist garage conversions, through to the creation of impressive ‘domestic car showrooms’ and subterranean ‘supercar caves’.
Here at Minoli, we have both a personal and professional passion for all things automotive, with a long-standing heritage in providing tiles to motor manufacturers and their networks, plus a range of motorcycle, collector and tuning specialists, as well as garaging solutions for private individuals.
Our clients not only include well-known premium and performance brands such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lexus, Alfa Romeo, Alpine, Ducati and the Yamaha World Superbike Team, but also collectors and independent specialists such as RPM Technik, Dura Workshop Systems, our friends at DK Engineering and Girardo & Co.
In addition to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (over 15 OEM motor brands in the Minoli portfolio), we also supply many leading housebuilders and property developers, architects and designers, across London, the South-East and Home Counties, and they too are seeing increased demand for more extensive and individual garaging solutions.
Some of the specialist equipment, building materials and componentry that’s being incorporated into the most adventurous and avant-garde design schemes include:
- Glazing and Doors – anti-reflective invisible panes, reinforced security glass and roof lights, frameless solutions, smart glass that transitions from opaque to transparent, heated and solar control glass, plus numerous sliding, bi-folding, vertical opening and automated specifications.
- Lifts and Turntables – unique car elevator technology, high-level engineering and security integration, hidden vehicle lifts, space optimised parking and storage, and solutions for where manoeuvrability is constrained such as hydraulic ramps and 3600 rotating platforms.
- Lighting, Furniture and Fittings – Intelligent and colour control LEDs, recessed and floor-light installations, bespoke-made cabinets, tool-stores and workbenches, audio-visual walls and projectors, luxury lounge and refreshment facilities, plus memorabilia displays and branding.
In our view, however, the most important consideration may be the choice of floor and wall covering, and high-performance porcelain tiles are the ideal solution.
Whether specifying for a domestic garage or the international deployment of a car manufacturer’s new corporate scheme, we tailor our products and services to our clients’ particular needs.
Technological advancements in the production of the latest porcelain tiles have seen the emergence of new 20 mm thick ranges that are suitable for external use and vehicular traffic, can bear greater loads, are more resistant to chemicals and extreme temperatures, have improved anti-slip properties and excellent colour stability over time.
Many of the ranges in the Minoli collection are available with complementary indoor and outdoor versions to match. Through garage doors, on walls and floors, and through to non-vehicle areas, near seamless transitions can be achieved. The 20 mm product with textured surface is particularly suitable for driveways, garage and workshop floors, wash-down areas and ramps.
What’s more, porcelain tiles are easy to clean and maintain, almost impervious to liquid and dirt and they come in an array of sizes, colours, and designs including minimalist concrete, organic stone, natural wood, metallics and even marble effect. With such variety in style and finish, luxury contemporary tiles can be paired with more robust and rugged partners, whatever the desired effect.
The automotive team is managed by Jonathon Minoli and Sophie Doran who would be delighted to receive your enquiry at jonathon@minoli.co.uk or sophie@minoli.co.uk