AM Group summed up the Rational Italy competition and rewarded the winners with a trip to Africa.

The main prize was given to designers who presented the best bathroom designs: Ekaterina Ignatova, Irina Miskun, Alena Chashkina, Alexey Belyanin, Elena Kirkunova and Alexey Kaverin. In February 2018, accompanied by the organizers, Jacob and Victoria Kandjo, they set off on a ten-day trip through Kenya.

Photos from travel to Kenya with AM Group. Photos from travel to Kenya with AM Group. Photos from travel to Kenya with AM Group. Photos from travel to Kenya with AM Group. Photos from travel to Kenya with AM Group. Photos from travel to Kenya with AM Group. Photos from travel to Kenya with AM Group. Photos from travel to Kenya with AM Group. Photos from travel to Kenya with AM Group.

Designers were able to see different Kenya. We visited the Masai Mara national reserve and the Masai village, admired wild animals and birds, took a boat ride on Naivasha lake, fed the pets of the Langat Giraffe Center, wandered in Nairobi slums. And then we went to the resort town of Mombasa and the island with white sand and turquoise water. We managed to climb the highest tower of Nairobi, and dance on the roof with the locals, and try the local cuisine in the Carnivore restaurant.

Photos from travel to Kenya with AM Group. Photos from travel to Kenya with AM Group. Photos from travel to Kenya with AM Group. Photos from travel to Kenya with AM Group. Photos from travel to Kenya with AM Group.

“Every day was completely different and special, with the most emotionally saturated,” says Irina Miskun. “This is a boat trip on Naivasha Lake and a trip through Kenya’s national park.” I was lucky to see almost all the inhabitants of these places in one evening! They also met, ran, and even tried to make fire with the Masai tribe living in complete harmony with nature. Even the slums we have not bypassed. After such a contrast of emotions and impressions, we ended up in the resort town of Mombasa, and after - already on the island, on the paradise island, you could not call it otherwise. To which we were taken on a tractor, a sort of highlight of the evening. This is just an amazingly beautiful place! White beach, incredibly warm and turquoise ocean. And that's not all surprises! One of the days fell on February 14, and on this occasion a dinner was organized on the ocean, with lanterns, stunningly beautiful music, which was done by the virtuosos of their work. It remained only to admire and enjoy the attention and care shown. And in the end - dancing on the high-rise, on the observation deck, this is an explosion of emotions and energy! Kenya has opened for me a country of extremes and contrasts! ”

Photos from travel to Kenya with AM Group. Photos from travel to Kenya with AM Group.

Alexey Belyanin said that the trip for him destroyed many stereotypes about Africa: “There is no sweltering heat at the equator. The temperature in Nairobi was quite comfortable. In the evening, I even wanted to wear a warm sweater. However, the locals dress in sweaters and jackets and wool caps even during the day, when the temperature stays at 26 - 28 degrees. Wild animals are deprived of the kindness and charm that we used to see from cartoons in cartoons. "Good" hippos with careless handling can rush to a passing photo hunter and swallow it together with a photogun. The monkey will easily sit down at the table and steal the most delicious croissant from the plate, brazenly looking into his eyes. In the hotels of Sopa Lodge, considered one of the most comfortable and stylish in Kenya, when it gets dark, it is not allowed to walk around the area without a guide. Only accompanied by a guard with a stick that drives away hippos and antelopes. It was also recommended to close the balcony at night in order to avoid an accidental monkey that can go to the “light”. The men of the local Masai tribe, while seemingly seemingly belligerent, are very friendly, speak good English and have iPhones. Their main occupation is to graze cattle, perform ritual dances, and also jump high in front of each other. They also have a strange custom for Europeans to drink the blood of cows from an artery punched by an arrow. We didn’t see the famous Moon, sung by Gumilyov, which “crushes and swings on the moisture of wide lakes”, while its gravity controls the ebb and flow and floods enormous land areas. The hotel, located on the island of Chale Island, has two options for communication with the continent: a boat and a tractor that runs on the lunar schedule. The brightest constellation in the night sky, which shines stronger than the moon, is Orion. ”

The Yves Saint Laurent Museum opened in Marrakesh at the end of 2017. Built by architects Studio KO Karl Fournier (Karl Fournier) and Olivier Marty. Hotel La Mamounia is the epitome of Moroccan luxury. Opened in 1923, it has become a celebrity mecca from Alfred Hitchcock to Nicole Kidman. In 2009, opened after renovation, led by decorator Jacques Garcia. One of the iconic locations of Morocco - Jardin Majorelle. The garden was created in the 1920s, and in 1980 was bought and saved from imminent destruction by Yves Saint-Laurent, along with Pierre Berge.

The following, no less fascinating, journey AM Group plans to make in Morocco. In a mysterious, alluring and colorful Marrakesh for the week will go the winners of the new competition for designers "Just for beauty."

To participate are accepted as implemented projects of bathrooms, and 3D-visualization. Six prizes - for completed projects created using any products of the factories of Artceram, CISAL or Huber. One prize - for a project in 3D. Works are accepted until August 30, 2018. Read more about the competition on the official website.