KAOLIN / 高岭
KAOLIN /ˈkeɪəlɪn/ 高岭, the prime clay of porcelain from China, is considered the finest clay in the world, for its hardness, elasticity and translucence.
“白如玉，明如镜，薄如纸, 声如磬” Translates to “white as jade, bright as mirror, thin as paper, sound as chime.”
ABOUT KAOLIN
Kaolin is export and architectural brand of Guanxing Ceramics, bringing well-known brands such as Romario, GXW and Gusto (established by the He family) under one umbrella to the architectural community around the world. Established by Rita He and Anton Bourtsev, Kaolin embodies the family’s vision to elevate the porcelain tile industry and make a distinguished mark in the realm of design.
The brand enjoys widespread acclaim within the international design community, evidenced by its pioneering spirit, dynamic collaborations, exceptional quality – A reputation substantiated with tangible evidence by our partnerships with prominent architectural firms such as Zaha Hadid Architects, Woods Bagot, KPF, SJB, PTW, etc. as well as major celebrated Interior Designers such as Greg Natale, Lorena Gaxiola, He Jingtang, etc.
WHERE WE MEET
The He Club is a family space designed by the award-winning museum Architect, Deng Xiaoli. It’s located on the rooftop of our flagship Romario store and serves as a meeting point for our clients and a sanctuary for our team.
Here, peace and tranquility reign, fostering an environment conducive to creativity.
ABOUT US
Kaolin Porcelain Surfaces was founded by Rita and Anton. Kaolin is a melting pot of creative people focused on clients, spaces, and an uncompromising sustainable product that heightens the senses. Rita and Anton were raised in different cultures with similar values, interests, and loves.
During her youth in China, Rita was profoundly influenced by her grandmother, the family’s matriarch, from whom she learned the importance of family values and became captivated by the complexities of human connections and community life. Her passion for literature deepened, leading her to Australia for her education in Bondi, followed by a Master’s in Economics at KU Leuven (Belgium) and in Chinese Literature at Peking University. Before founding Kaolin, Rita gained significant marketing experience in the property development sector.
Anton, of Russian descent but raised in Belgium, possesses an innate curiosity about the mechanics of how things work, finding creativity within technical details. Anton’s educational background includes studies in International Business at UC Berkeley, Chinese Economy at Fudan University in Shanghai, and a Master’s in Business Engineering at KU Leuven. It was during his tenure at a Management Consulting firm that he met Rita through Mandarin classes. United by their shared experiences and aspirations, they decisively returned to Sydney to establish their roots.