On a morning in 1860, under a sky painted with promises, Martin Quadri, a man with dreams far larger than his luggage, set foot on the soil of Buenos Aires. From Lugano, Switzerland, he brought not just a few belongings but a profession about to mark the beginning of an unforgettable family saga. A terrazzo installer, a craft carried from the heart of Italy, Martin was destined to make his mark in a Buenos Aires at the turn of the 19th century, vibrant and expanding.
The beginnings were not easy, but Martin was a man of unwavering work ethic and a passion for perfection. He quickly made his work stand out above the rest. It wasn’t long before he gathered a team of helpers, among them his brother Luis, who crossed the ocean to be part of this adventure, becoming his right hand and dream collaborator.
The Growth Challenge
But fate always reserves challenges. Martin faced the growth dilemma: the quality of his work could not be replicated without his direct supervision. In a bold move, he decided to reinvent himself. With the arrival of cement in Buenos Aires, he saw a unique opportunity: to create a production system that would allow him to scale without sacrificing his beloved standard of quality.
Thus were born the first terrazzo tiles, marking the beginning of an era of innovation that would not only propel Martín's modest venture to business success but also indelibly cement the family legacy. In an act of differentiation and perhaps as a tribute to the tradition and mastery of ancient Egyptian and Roman artisans, Martín christened his creation “mosaicos”. This choice, laden with reverence and mystery, might be interpreted as a homage to those masters of detail and composition, though the true inspiration behind the name would fade over time, wrapping his legacy in an aura of enigma. Nonetheless, the impact of his innovation was so profound and resonant that in Argentina, the traditional term "terrazo" gave way to "mosaico," thereby redefining the product category and engraving the Quadri name in the annals of national architecture and design.
A New Beginning: Eugenio's Hope
Martin, having realized his vision of quality and dedication, turned his eyes back to his homeland, Switzerland. He left behind his company. According to Swiss tradition, everything was inherited by the firstborn. Therefore, the company, along with all its assets, came under the control of Martin Jr, his first son.
Eugenio Pedro, the founder of our company, was Martin's third son. Even as a young boy, he was first seen playing among the mosaics, and when he was old enough, he began working in his father's factory. From the beginning, he showed a great entrepreneurial spirit and business skills.
When Martin Sr. decided to return to Europe, Eugenio continued working in the company under his brother. However, the status quo didn't last long. Shortly after, he decided to forge his own destiny. In 1906, with the support of his uncle Luis, he founded "La Esperanza." It was not just the name of his venture, of his own factory; it was a manifesto, a challenge thrown to the future, a promise of overcoming.
"La Esperanza" was not built overnight. Each terrazzo tile was a step forward but also a reminder of the challenges he faced. Competing against his own father's legacy, against an already established and respected company, was an uphill battle. Eugenio found himself at a critical point, where failure meant much more than the loss of a business; it was the loss of his family heritage, of his identity.
But Eugenio was not meant to live in anyone's shadow. With each tile he produced, with every work he delivered, "La Esperanza" began to shine on its own. He not only matched the success of his father's and brother's company but surpassed it, taking it to unimaginable heights. Eugenio's determination, his commitment to quality, and his innovative vision transformed "La Esperanza" into a benchmark for terrazzo, not just in Buenos Aires but throughout Argentina.
The story of the Quadris is a saga of reinvention, of not fearing change and embracing the future with determination. From those first steps in the port of Buenos Aires to the modernization of their industrial plant in the '60s and '90s, the Quadri family has been a living testament that passion, quality, and perseverance are the pillars of an enduring legacy.
Today, after more than 150 years, Quadri remains synonymous with excellence, a bridge between the ancient art of terrazzo and the avant-garde of modern architecture. More than a company, Quadri is a story of family, innovation, and love for detail; a story that invites you to dream of a prosperous Argentina. As Hernan E Quadri, the third president of the company, once said, "we have been young since 1861."