Reinterpreting an ancient craft: miniature ceramic tiles with a modern twist

Design hardly ever happens in a vacuum. Most architectural contexts hold their own histories, carried through materials and craft, which are often local, cultural and embedded with identity. When working with existing contexts – whether a restoration, renovation, a new intervention or a hybrid of all three – finding materials that can embrace the history of craft yet bring all the functionality and versatility of contemporary design is key.

Finding a balance between tradition and today is Marca Corona. The ceramics-maker, known for its crafted tiles, has been based in the historic ceramics district of Sassuolo, Italy, since its founding in 1741. It proudly remains as the oldest establishment of the district. Due to this historic context, ancient craft has been a continual touchpoint across its collections, yet innovative development across research and production, as well as an increasingly sustainable approach from packaging to water use, has kept it moving forward.

The 1741 collection of glazed porcelain stoneware tiles epitomises this approach; it is inspired by the timeless materials used in interiors for centuries, yet it offers a contemporary evolution, durable and functional for a range of many different uses. The latest project addition to this collection this year is the ‘Miniature’ line, which reinterprets the textures and aesthetics of materials such as majolica, glass, metal, concrete and bricks, in finishes including matt, gloss and velvet – all in a highly versatile and small tile of 6 x 24 cm in size.

Miniature was launched in response to the extreme versatility required by architects when tackling uniquely layered spaces with distinct scale, shape and aesthetic demands. The small size is useful for covering curved volumes and irregularly-shaped surfaces, as well as for matching up, layering or contrasting with existing palettes of materials or other Marca Corona tile ranges.

This versatility combined with the crafted feel of the materially-inspired tiles is ideal for building atmospheres and continuing stories in spaces. For example, the possibilities are endless when it comes to finding contrasts to muted, neutral or natural material palettes such as stone or timber. Vibrant colours can be found in Miniature Fregio, which draws on the charm of Italian Majolica with Mediterranean hues such as Blu Maiolica, Verde Maiolica and Bianco Naturale. Meanwhile, luminosity for darker spaces can be found in Miniature Soda, which evokes the luminous elegance of Italian glass with colours such as Grigio Luna, Rosa Corallo, and Verde Perla.

Alternatively, complementary palettes can be crafted by matching and layering in industrial interiors such as converted warehouses or tough workspaces, for instance, the metallic Miniature Fuoco offers added texture in various colours, including Oro Brunito, Blu Iron or Corten Bruciato. Miniature Fregio, Soda and Fuoco were all launched at Cersaie 2022 and have been used across diverse types of projects, from residential to hospitality.

Launched in April 2023 at the Coverings fair in California, Miniature Fornace and Miniature Cera both continue to offer an approach to craft that is authentic and contemporary in new ways. Miniature Fornace, inspired by the texture of clay and available in a decorative variant with a stylistic stamp reminiscent of London bricks of the industrial revolution, can offer smooth refinement alongside the roughness of exposed brick interiors.

Miniature Cera, on the other hand, offers an iridescent, fluid surface that is satiny to the eye, waxy to the touch and evocative of resin, stone or marble and available in complex, pigmented colours such as Cashmere Melato, Verde Foresta and Amaranto Jam. Both are ideal lines for designers seeking to bring light, drama and movement to atmospheric spaces; an experimental forward-looking tile rooted in history.

Guaranteeing both an original decorative embellishment and a practical solution to cladding interior and exterior spaces, Marca Corona’s new Miniature series within the 1741 line demonstrates how ceramic tiles can carry memories of history into the present and beyond. As contemporary design seeks to forge stronger roots with the past, in response to heritage and cultural sustainability, these tiles are well-positioned for those new contributions to history.

© Architonic

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