Effebiquattro. Interior architecture

Let's talk numbers for Effebiquattro. 250,000 doors produced annually, exported to 30 countries worldwide, 7.4 million products sold to date. Not to mention 16 lines of doors for home use, a total of 500 models, with infinite combination and customization possibilities. And let's not forget people, above all Sir Mario Barzaghi, who, starting with a modest carpentry in Brianza, built up a highly-productive enterprise in constant growth, demonstrating great intuition and entrepreneurial courage. By his side, a young, dynamic and compact team attends to the company like a family. Finally, let's talk about the values which lie at the very heart of this entrepreneurial business: quality, technology, forward thinking, sustainability. 

All these things are what define Effebiquattro, a leading manufacturer in the production of interior doors, which will celebrate its 40th year of production this year. Over four decades Effebiquattro has created a unique product. The company is a hub of creativity, which combines an artisan approach with in-depth technical research, targeting its exclusive designs at a wide range of different markets. "When it comes to our products, aesthetic considerations are not our only concern ," explains Marketing Manager, Giovanna Barzaghi. "We also devote particular attention to technical aspects, both with regard to the client – such as soundproofing and ecological water-based coatings – and to the person responsible for installing the door – such as ease of installation". A number of patents have been granted to the company as a result of this research, including the fully-concealed hinge in 1982 –  featured in almost all of Effebiquattro's products – as well as high noise reduction of up to 28.5 dB and the inclusion of magnetic locks.

This success has allowed Effebiquattro to enter the international markets (42% of its production is exported), where, especially in recent times, it has had extremely positive results in terms of opening exhibiting spaces, organizing distribution, and completing contract projects. Israel is the company's largest market, importing 50,000 doors annually, followed by Russia, North Africa (Algeria and Tunisia), Australia, Mexico and the United States (California, Florida and New York). 

"Although certain techniques, such as sound absorption, are universally required by every market, we have to deal with different design criteria for each country", Giovanna Barzaghi observes. "This has allowed us to develop cutting edge technical components specific to every requirement: for example, for the Middle East and Africa we have created wooden doors with considerable resistance to high temperatures, humidity and salt spray; a beneficial development spurred on by the Israeli market."  The contract and large supply sector has allowed the company the freedom to experiment, putting their flexibility to the test. Effebiquattro's latest prestigious order was for Milan's Bosco Verticale, a pair of residential towers near Porta Garibaldi station, which won the 2014 International Highrise Award. The company specifically created 1,103 doors, 932 of which have a height of 240cm. The majority of these models were "Wall" doors, in teak open pore finish with a choice of lacquers, and 300 "NoDoor2" sliding doors (mainly flush with the wall). This order was certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), verifying the traceability of the raw wood materials used to create the doors.

The company undertook an equally prestigious commission for La Scala Theatre in Milan. Effebiquattro collaborated with the architect Mario Botta to create a door in the style of the original, in hand-painted, gilded solid wood: an example of how craftsmanship plays a role in the company's industrial production. The doors created for these two projects were then officially entered into the large company catalogue, enriching it with new furniture ideas. If a product is unique, limitless variations can be produced. Effebiquattro has established its brand on the foundation of its inexhaustible design capacity. The company has furthered the notion that a product is no longer simply a structural part of an environment, but an essential element in interior design.