Italian perfectionin the Champions League of construction

The facades of Wonderwoods in Utrecht seem to dance with nature. Behind that dynamic facade lies the craftsmanship of a small but renowned company: Tomaello. This Vlaardingen family business, with deep Italian roots, supplied the 2,200 terrazzo elements that adorn the facades and house many hundreds of planters. Giulio Tomaello, owner and third generation in the family business, looks back on the project with pride: "This is our biggest terrazzo project ever, a tribute to the two generations before me."

One hundred years ago, Carlo Tomaello, an Italian immigrant, began terrazzo work in Vlaardingen. "My grandfather came from Friuli, an area in northern Italy where the terrazzo trade originated," Tomaello says. "It all started with seamless floors. Nowadays we make much more: colored, polished, always special and everything in prefab. That's what customers choose us for." 

Tomaello took over in the late 1980s and reinvigorated the company by focusing on decorative concrete. "I didn't want to get stuck in gray concrete. It had to be more beautiful, more unique and always with an eye for detail." Under his leadership, Tomaello grew into a small but prestigious company that is making a name for itself both locally and internationally.

Wonderwoods: 2,200 unique elements 

The Wonderwoods project brought great challenges. "To outsiders I sometimes say with a big wink that everything you see from a distance, except the wood and greenery, comes from Tomaello. Some 2,200 elements and all unique: planters, walls, gable bands and panels. All these elements had to fit together perfectly. That literally meant high-level customization." Logistics and internal storage proved to be the biggest hurdles. "It was a complex game of planning and precision. Every mold had to go into production on time, and that required craftsmanship from management and production personnel on a daily basis." In addition, the pandemic played a major role. "Corona made it complicated. Materials, such as the white natural stone from Greece, were suddenly difficult to obtain. In addition, we were faced with huge price increases." Personnel challenges were also an issue. "With us, craftsmanship is decisive. Machines you can repair, but good craftsmen you don't just replace."  

Vertical magic 

An engineering feat within Wonderwoods was the vertical pouring of 161 high walls. "It takes an enormous amount of craftsmanship to get the grain distribution to be perfect in an area 3 meters high," Tomaello explains. "For example, with the mock-up, we only had one chance to get it right. After curing and polishing, we saw that all the elements were perfect. That almost never works in one go." Not for nothing did the main client call Tomaello's team "wizards. To achieve the vertical polishing of the high walls, the company developed a special sanding robot in-house. The walls with integrated planters weighed some 11,000 pounds and were attached to the facade with great precision. 

Durable by design 

In addition to craftsmanship, sustainability is central to Tomaello's work. "Terrazzo was circular before the word existed," smiles Tomaello. Leftover material is reused in new products. This fits perfectly with Wonderwoods' sustainable vision. "For us, sustainability is not a trend, but second nature. What we make lasts for generations." 

Tomaello's innovations go beyond Wonderwoods. For 'The Edge' project on Coolsingel in Rotterdam, old natural stone facades are being incorporated into new and super lightweight terrazzo composite, called 'Pantheon Light.' "This is how we are making construction increasingly sustainable and reducing our footprint. I'm proud of that." 

International recognition 

The project also brought Tomaello into contact with architect Stefano Boeri, known for the "Bosco Verticale" ("vertical forest") concept. "In early 2024, I spoke to Boeri at length in Utrecht. He was very impressed with our terrazzo façade and even said he would be happy to take us on future projects." This is not the first time Tomaello has received international recognition. The company previously worked on award-winning architecture and art projects for the Venice Biennale and Milan Triennale. "We love to experiment and innovate, especially if it's together with top designers. That's in our Italian roots." 

A memorable anniversary 

As of Sept. 1, 2024, Tomaello is celebrating its 100th anniversary. "Wonderwoods feels like the crowning glory of our work. It is our biggest project and came at an important time," Tomaello says. Yet he also looks to the future. "I'm 65 and looking for a good successor. I want to stay connected to the company, but no longer have 24/7 end responsibility. We are looking for someone who is just as passionate about acting at the intersection of architecture and art." 

With Wonderwoods, Tomaello proved that a small team can achieve great things. "We have held our own with flying colors in the Champions League of construction," he concludes with a smile. And while Wonderwoods' facades embrace nature, Tomaello remains true to his mission: to combine craftsmanship with sustainability and innovation.