UHPC/HPRC®/Stainless Steel AISI 316L/Corten Steel/Natural Wood/WPC/WPVC/Nanotechnologies/HPC Concrete
UHPC
Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete — a next-generation cementitious composite.
UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete) is a high-performance mortar that combines cement, sand, glass fibers, and special additives. The result is an exceptionally durable material that surpasses traditional concrete in virtually every performance metric.
Key Properties
- Glossy, refined surface finishes achievable through precision molding
- Excellent durability and resistance to cracking under stress
- Superior shock and impact resistance
- Stain-resistant surface that repels common urban contaminants
- Wide range of color options through integral pigmentation
Thanks to its unique formulation, UHPC can be cast into complex shapes while maintaining structural integrity. The material's density and fiber reinforcement deliver compressive strengths far exceeding conventional concrete, making it ideal for urban furniture that must endure heavy public use and harsh environmental conditions.
The color palette is virtually unlimited: pigments are added directly to the mix, producing a through-body color that won't chip or fade. Standard finishes include smooth matte and polished gloss.
HPRC®
HPRC® (High Performance Resin Composite) is an advanced composite material developed by LAB23 for the production of contemporary urban furniture, combining outstanding aesthetics, exceptional durability, and long-lasting performance.
Thanks to its unique formulation and the entirely handcrafted manufacturing process using exclusive LAB23 molds, HPRC® allows the creation of products with complex geometries and large dimensions while ensuring perfectly uniform surfaces and a refined, textured finish.
Each product is manufactured through a meticulous process involving the manual application of multiple composite layers, followed by careful finishing and rigorous quality control. The combination of skilled craftsmanship and dedicated production techniques guarantees unique products finished to the highest standards.
HPRC® offers outstanding mechanical performance, with excellent resistance to tension, compression and bending. It is completely waterproof and highly resistant to impacts, UV radiation, salt spray, frost, thermal shock, pollution and the most demanding environmental conditions, maintaining its appearance and structural integrity over time.
Its smooth yet tactile surface, combined with low thermal conductivity, provides exceptional comfort even under extreme weather conditions.
Available in the standard colours White, Grey and Beige, HPRC® can also be produced in any RAL colour upon request, offering maximum design flexibility.
The material is inherently anti-graffiti and can be easily restored using a dedicated repair kit, helping to reduce maintenance costs throughout the product's life cycle.
HPRC® is also a sustainable material: it is manufactured using 70% recycled content, is 100% recyclable, and complies with the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) and current environmental regulations.
Key Features
High-performance composite material
Handcrafted production using exclusive LAB23 molds
Outstanding mechanical strength and impact resistance
Completely waterproof, even under permanent immersion
Resistant to UV radiation, salt spray, frost and severe weather conditions
Anti-graffiti surface, easily repairable
Low thermal conductivity for superior comfort
Available in standard colours or custom RAL finishes
Manufactured with 70% recycled content and 100% recyclable
Compliant with CAM environmental requirements
Stainless Steel AISI 316L
Low-carbon alloy steel with superior corrosion resistance — ideal for coastal and high-hygiene environments.
AISI 316L is a low-carbon alloy steel enriched with nickel, chromium, titanium, and molybdenum. This specific alloy grade delivers outstanding corrosion resistance, making it the material of choice for installations near the sea, in humid climates, or in environments with strict hygiene requirements.
Key Properties
- Superior corrosion resistance, even in salt-water and chloride-rich environments
- Easy to clean and maintain — meets the highest hygiene standards
- High mechanical strength combined with excellent formability
- Retains its appearance over decades with minimal maintenance
- Fully recyclable at end of life
Widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and marine sectors, AISI 316L brings the same reliability to urban furniture. Its bright, clean aesthetic integrates naturally into contemporary architectural settings, while its durability ensures a long service life even under demanding conditions.
Corten Steel
Weathering steel that develops a unique protective rust patina through natural atmospheric exposure.
Corten steel is a weathering steel that naturally develops a distinctive rust-colored patina when exposed to the atmosphere. Over time, this oxidized layer acts as a protective barrier, shielding the underlying steel from further corrosion and eliminating the need for painting or surface treatments.
Key Properties
- Self-protecting: the oxide layer regenerates if scratched or damaged
- Unique, evolving aesthetic — each piece develops its own pattern over time
- Color variations and non-uniform appearance are inherent characteristics, not defects
- Exceptional structural strength suitable for load-bearing furniture elements
- Minimal long-term maintenance required
The organic, warm tones of Corten steel create a striking visual contrast in both natural and urban landscapes. Architects and designers prize it for its ability to bridge the gap between industrial strength and artistic expression. The patina process typically stabilizes within 1–3 years depending on climate conditions.
Natural Wood
Sapelli
Sapelli is a premium tropical hardwood valued for its natural elegance, exceptional durability, and outstanding performance in outdoor environments. Characterized by its warm reddish-brown colour and distinctive grain, it combines refined aesthetics with long-lasting strength.
Thanks to its high density and natural resistance to weathering, moisture, and wear, Sapelli is an ideal choice for high-quality urban furniture. Over time, the wood naturally develops an elegant silver-grey patina while maintaining its excellent structural properties.
Iroko
Iroko is a premium tropical hardwood renowned for its exceptional durability, dimensional stability, and natural resistance to weathering. Its warm golden-brown colour and distinctive grain make it an ideal choice for elegant, long-lasting outdoor furniture.
Naturally resistant to moisture, decay, insects, and demanding environmental conditions, Iroko requires minimal maintenance and is perfectly suited for high-quality urban furniture. Over time, it develops a refined silver-grey patina while preserving its outstanding structural performance.
Thermally Modified Ash
Thermally Modified Ash is a sustainably enhanced hardwood, treated through a chemical-free thermal modification process that significantly improves its durability, dimensional stability, and resistance to moisture and biological decay.
Its warm, rich brown colour and elegant grain give it a refined, contemporary appearance, making it an excellent choice for premium outdoor furniture. Over time, exposure to the elements naturally transforms the surface into an elegant silver-grey patina while preserving the wood's structural integrity.
Larch
Larch is a naturally durable softwood widely appreciated for its strength, versatility, and excellent performance in outdoor environments. Its warm golden tones and distinctive grain give it a natural, authentic appearance that blends harmoniously into both contemporary and traditional landscapes.
Naturally resistant to weathering and moisture, larch is well suited for urban furniture and outdoor applications. Over time, it develops an elegant silver-grey patina while maintaining its structural integrity and long-term durability.
Ipe
Ipe is one of the world's most durable tropical hardwoods, renowned for its exceptional density, outstanding mechanical strength, and remarkable resistance to wear and weathering. Its rich olive-brown colour and fine, elegant grain make it the ideal choice for premium outdoor applications.
Naturally resistant to moisture, insects, fungi, and extreme climatic conditions, Ipe offers outstanding longevity with minimal maintenance. Over time, it naturally develops a refined silver-grey patina while retaining its exceptional structural performance.
WPC
Wood Plastic Composite — reclaimed wood flour blended with polyolefin for a durable, low-maintenance alternative.
WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) is the result of combining science and technology to create a material that blends the aesthetics of natural wood with the durability and weather resistance of engineered plastics. It is manufactured by mixing reclaimed wood flour with polyolefin-based plastic compounds.
Key Properties
- Combines the warm appearance of wood with the longevity of plastic
- Excellent resistance to water, humidity, and UV radiation
- Does not splinter, crack, or warp under normal conditions
- Resistant to insects, mold, and fungal growth
- Eco-friendly: manufactured from reclaimed wood fibers and recyclable plastics
Maintenance
WPC requires minimal upkeep. Regular cleaning with water is sufficient for routine maintenance. For more thorough cleaning, specific detergents designed for composite materials can be used. The material's non-porous surface resists staining, and its color remains stable over years of outdoor exposure.
WPVC
Artisan WPC made in Italy — an eco-friendly evolution of wood-plastic composites with patented formulation.
WPVC represents the evolution of traditional WPC technology. Developed and manufactured in Italy, it is an artisan-grade wood-plastic composite with a patented formulation that delivers superior performance in every measurable category.
Composition
The material is composed of approximately 80% PVC and 20% wood flour, combined using a proprietary process that ensures exceptional homogeneity and consistency throughout every board.
Key Properties
- Completely splinter-free — safe for all public environments including playgrounds
- Fully resistant to rot, mold, and insect damage
- Free of heavy metals and harmful substances
- Operational temperature range: −20°C to +70°C
- Patented formulation with certified performance characteristics
- Eco-friendly manufacturing process using recycled components
WPVC is particularly suited for high-traffic public spaces, waterfront installations, and projects where safety and longevity are paramount. Its consistent quality and Italian craftsmanship make it a premium choice for discerning specifiers.
Nanotechnologies
Advanced surface treatments that enhance durability, repel contaminants, and reduce maintenance costs.
LAB23 employs advanced nanotechnology-based surface treatments to enhance the durability and longevity of its urban furniture. These treatments work at the molecular level to modify surface properties without altering the material's appearance or texture.
Protection Types
- Waterproofing: Creates a hydrophobic barrier that causes water to bead and roll off surfaces, preventing moisture penetration and freeze-thaw damage
- Oil repellency: Oleophobic coatings that resist grease, oil, and organic stains from food or environmental contaminants
- Scratch and abrasion resistance: Nano-ceramic layers that significantly increase surface hardness without changing the material's feel
- Anti-graffiti protection: Specialized coatings that prevent paint and marker inks from bonding to the surface, allowing easy removal with standard cleaning products
These nanotechnology treatments dramatically reduce maintenance requirements and costs for street furniture installations. By preventing damage at the surface level, they extend the service life of every material they are applied to — from steel and concrete to wood and composites.
HPC Concrete
HPC, an acronym for High Performance Concrete, is a high-performance concrete developed for the production of resistant, durable elements suitable for outdoor use.
Thanks to its technical composition, characterized by high mechanical strength, a low water/cement ratio and the use of additives and structural fibres, HPC makes it possible to obtain compact, solid and high-performing products while maintaining a high aesthetic quality of the surfaces.
HPC concrete products are particularly suitable for urban furniture, where high resistance to wear, weathering, frost, de-icing salts, salt spray and the typical stresses of public spaces is required.
The presence of structural fibres, glass fibres and silica fume helps improve the compactness of the mix, the durability of the material and its resistance to cracking. The concrete is also enhanced with specific additives to provide greater protection against water absorption and surface degradation.
Each product is manufactured with custom-made internal reinforcement, designed according to the geometry of the element, ensuring stability, safety and long-term resistance.
The available finishes are smooth, sandblasted and polished, allowing the surface appearance to be adapted to the design requirements of each project. The surface can also be treated with specific protective coatings to increase resistance to dirt, weathering and marine environments.
HPC concrete is an ideal solution for the production of benches, monolithic seats, planters, bollards and other urban furniture elements, combining structural solidity, durability and aesthetic quality.
Main features:
High mechanical strength.
Low water absorption.
High durability in outdoor environments.
Resistance to frost, salt spray and weathering.
Enhanced with structural fibres, glass fibres and silica fume.
Available finishes: smooth, sandblasted and polished.
Surface protection with impregnating treatment.
Ideal for urban furniture and high-traffic public spaces.