Graduation project
In a grain of sand I see a town
Giulia Braglia
A scale model of the town of Casalgrande, Italy, shows the impact that the production infrastructure of porcelain stoneware tiles has on the town.
In A Grain of Sand I See a Town investigates the interplay between production and extraction in Casalgrande, Italy, known for its porcelain stoneware tile factories. The project presents a scale model of the town created with standard size tiles, which combined with field recordings, reveals how the factories and their products influence the urban landscape. The industrial tile becomes not only an artefact and architectural element, but a symbolic link between local and global sites, connecting Casalgrande to diverse locations. By estranging the town’s product, the project draws attention to the profound effects of production infrastructures on everyday life.