Ceramics Serving Generational Solutions  

Durable, long-lasting, hygienic, and easy to maintain, ceramic has traditionally occupied a solid place in the cladding and flooring markets. But with the steady progression of digital inkjet printing allowing the realistic reproduction of just about any material, technologies supporting environmental and budget optimization in tandem, ceramics have been propelled to a prominent market position in recent years.

Grand View Research estimated the market size at USD 7.59 billion in 2023, projecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% from 2024 to 2030, reaching approximately USD 11.88 billion by 2030. Source: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/north-america-ceramic-tile-market-report

“Ceramic tile lives in that coveted family of architectural materials that is versatile, high-performing, and extremely beautiful all at once. It’s no wonder that ceramic tiles have been a staple and eye-catching building material since the beginning of time, and today, more than 2.75 billion square feet of ceramic is used in construction in the U.S. each year,” reports Architizer in its “Architect’s Guide to Ceramic Flooring.”

“Traditional ceramic tile will stand the test of time, so we always specify it in spaces with the confidence that it will look great for years to come,” adds Kelly Eyink, senior interior designer, M+A Architects, Columbus, Ohio.

Spanish architect Tomás Alonso, who runs his own studio in London, points out that designers and architects are always looking to strike a balance between function and aesthetics with building materials. He sees ceramics as filling this need with its performance qualities and as a creative medium that can be manipulated in countless ways to achieve different effects within a space.

“Durable, flexible, easy to clean, and germ free—which is very important today—ceramic tiles can be used to achieve many different kinds of moods and atmospheres, which is important when creating a space,” he says. “Tiles are tactile and can be used in volumes, and three-dimensionally, for a deeper texture. With colors and glazes, there is a huge spectrum of design possibilities.”

Essentially, ceramics can layer in a strong visual way while keeping things functional and pragmatic.

Expanding beyond its traditional niche as backsplashes, bathroom tiles, and interior flooring, ceramics are gaining popularity in new segments as countertop slabs and as slip-resistant 2cm exterior pavers.

“Gauged (extra-large) porcelain tile panels and slabs are increasingly being selected by designers and specifiers for both commercial and high-end residential projects,” National Tile Contractors Association Executive Director Bart Bettiga recently told Tile magazine. “Often, they are selected where high performance is desired. The advanced manufacturing processes allow for the slabs to be installed with minimal grout widths, the ability to match and bookmark patterns, and with proper substrate preparation for retrofitting or installing directly over other surface materials.”

The Ideal Choice

With multiple sustainability and hygienic characteristics coupled with high-durability and resilience, ceramics are emerging as an ideal building material in today’s post-pandemic world.

Made from only natural materials—clay, sand, feldspar, and flint—ceramics are a zero-VOC material with a very long life span, which makes its carbon footprint one of the lowest of all cladding materials when amortized over its useful life span, according to North Vancouver-based ceramic tile specialist Ryan Fasan.

Tile is inorganic, inert, and inherently inhibits the growth of mold and bacteria, which are big selling points today. “The holy grail for products and materials for most at the moment are things that promote a healthy, easy-to-sanitize environment, as well as doing the least possible harm to the environment,” explains Fasan.

According to the tile industry informational resource WhyTile.com, ceramics are considered to have the lowest carbon footprint of any flooring material in North America, the lowest global warming potential, and the lowest fossil fuel resource depletion.

As a hypoallergenic material with no organic food source, ceramic tile does not retain dirt, fungi, or bacteria. The tiles can be cleaned easily with steam and water, and are scratch- and stain-resistant.

As explained in the primer “Kerapolis,” prepared by the Castellón (Spain) Chamber of Commerce and the Spanish Association of Wall and Floor Tile Manufacturers, “ceramics are inert and immutable once fired in the kiln marrying silicates, minerals, and clays, fusing them into a new, homogeneous matrix that cannot be affected by either fire or flood.”

The white paper also states that ceramics’ impermeable nature means that they don’t absorb or “off-gas” other chemicals in the space in which they are installed. As tile and other, wholly mineral-based cladding products of material, offer zero emissions, they automatically qualify for low-emission tolerance.

On April 14, 2010, USGBC’s green building certification system LEED issued an addendum for IEQ (Indoor Environmental Quality) Credit 4.3. It states, “Mineral-based finished flooring products such as tile, masonry, terrazzo, and cut stone without integral organic-based coatings and sealants qualify for credit without any IAQ testing requirements,” acknowledging the fact that ceramics are effectively a net-zero contributor to indoor air pollution.  IEQ credit 4.3 remains valid in the current version of LEED.

Consequently, when paired with epoxy grouts, which is done in healthcare and culinary facilities, ceramic material is sanitary; the assembly’s impervious surface allows it to be properly sterilized.

The long-lasting, durable, low-maintenance, and hygienic qualities of ceramics are appealing in and of themselves. The combination of these advantages with advanced digital techniques to accurately replicate any kind of material and style has really driven market demand for ceramics.

When digital technologies were first introduced, they were only successful in replicating the basic visuals of a material. Progressing from four to six color bars expanded the color range of these printers; today, progressive factories employ two to four additional bars of printheads to deliver effects like carving textures, luster effects, and even metallics. Current capabilities have advanced to the point where ceramics can duplicate not only the look─but even the tactile feel of natural stone, terracotta, cement, marble, wood, and more.

“Key technologies are allowing us to create beautifully realistic and raw, true-form materials,” relates Fasan. “Surface texture and finish combined with color allow us to do this in incredible ways.”

Digital printing processes can produce realistic color, detail, and veining capable of creating each ceramic tile with a unique look. The result is a product which is virtually indistinguishable from natural stone, for example. Consequently, this is lending a great competitive advantage over other materials.

“Large format tile is conducive to achieving the appearance of man-made materials without the weight and expense of dimensional stone or poured concrete,” states Andrea Waldrop RID, IIDA, President, waldrop+nichols studio, Dallas, Texas.

“Aesthetically, we are particularly drawn to products that recreate the look of natural stones such as Carrara or Calacatta marble,” she adds. “Both options provide a distinctive look for hospitality interiors, especially the guest bathroom.”

The advancement of digital technologies is also enabling the recreation of in situ vintage ceramics where the glaze appears as though it’s wearing away while delivering the performance characteristics of a brand new modern tile. In addition, digitally-deposited adhesives can fix particles of frit to recreate the worn classic glaze, if desired.

“I just love how ceramics are being reborn in the digital age with a reincorporation of our traditional glazes using our digitally applied inks to create something that is very relatable and historical yet new at the same time,” reflects Fasan.

Interest in terrazzo has increased significantly and is being further propelled by the industry’s ability to make ceramics appear as terrazzo.

“While spectacular, real terrazzo is known for being expensive and the installation process is time- and labor-intensive. Now we have the ability to print on tile in a realistic way, achieving the look of real marble or soapstone — but with a nonporous surface that’s invulnerable to staining and chipping,” says Eyink.

She adds that ceramics are an ideal alternative to any naturally-occurring materials, lending both cost and project timeline efficiency while not sacrificing aesthetics.

Part of this technological shift has enabled moving away from printing the colors and patterns on the surface to setting them deeper within the material so that they’re ingrained within the ceramic tile. Both enamels and solids can be applied simultaneously, and features such as metallic, shine, or anti-slip effects can be included in the same, one-step application. This includes graphics and original art.

Of note, Michael Gwin, principal, AIA, LEED AP, Rothschild Doyno Collaborative, Pittsburgh, is seeing a lot of interest in incorporating original artwork and patterns into tiles. “This integrates local and unique craft, making the design solution more meaningful and reflective of the community’s character. This is transforming a commodity product into a custom-crafted design solution.

Gwin is also seeing an increase in surface textures, larger graphic compositions on tiles, and 3-D printing thanks to these technological advancements.

With these digital capabilities, owners and architects are afforded the opportunity of selecting multiple “materials” for a space, and despite the varied visual appearance, with everything being ceramic, there is one installation, maintenance, and performance profile to be concerned with for the lifetime of the building. A room can transition from brick to marble to ceramic to wood seamlessly and yet remain 100 percent ceramic.

The design professional is liberated in designing the structure and substrate for one surface finish. For the builder or developer, it means budget and scheduling optimization as well as streamlining the bid process with one to two finish trades instead of multiples. The owner realizes the quality of life benefits of a single performance, maintenance, and replacement regimen for their entire space.

Photo courtesy of Tile of Spain

Newer Applications

Breaking out beyond its traditional role as floor tiling, bathrooms, and backsplashes, the industry has rediscovered ceramic as a great choice for kitchen counters. In fact, ceramic’s unique properties, including its heat and acid resistance, make the material very suitable for these applications.

Ceramics sinter at very high temperatures through the manufacturing process, creating a reaction that forever fuses its components into an immutable, homogeneous piece. The relatively insignificant heat of a hot pan or a baking dish straight out of the oven has no effect and can be placed directly onto a ceramic countertop. Frost-resistant as well, ceramic countertops are also suitable for outdoor kitchen spaces.

“With the material qualities of ceramics combined with manufacturing capabilities to produce large format products and recent innovations in surface nano-treatments, ceramics have the potential to become a strong material choice for countertops and work surfaces,” agrees Gwin.

As for durability, ceramics are significantly stronger than granite and almost as hard as quartz. The material’s structure makes it scratch-resistant, allowing users to cut up food right on the surface.

Photo courtesy of Tile of Spain

Case in point, M+A Architects recently completed an office project that included a modern café with ceramic countertops. Matte black counters were designed to complement the other built-in elements in the space, and ceramic porcelain slabs were seen as the best way to achieve this vision.

“Ceramic is practical for kitchens,” says Eyink. “Because it’s nonporous, there is no scratching, staining from food spills, or water rings like on softer counter materials. When used in a large format, this reduces the number of seams in the countertops.”

“I expect a huge rise in demand for the industry’s 12mm and 20mm gauged porcelain slabs for worktops especially,” anticipates Fasan. “Some of the key innovators have found ways to decorate the edge of the slabs and even started offering full-body technical designs, where, for example, a marble vein will run continuously through the body, alleviating the only common complaint that edges required hiding in sintered ceramic slabs.”

Nonporous and stain-resistant, the surfaces are easy to clean and UV-resistant. Consequently, unlike quartz, direct and prolonged exposure to sunlight will not damage the surface. Ceramic can be manufactured as extra-large slabs—e.g., 126 inches by 62 inches—so one slab is often sufficient to cover a kitchen island. For larger regular counters, typically only one or two seams are needed. While this may be the case for denser stones like granite and manufactured quartz agglomerates, stones like marble and limestone must be extracted in much smaller slabs.

A ceramic countertop can be as thin as ¼ inch, making it even lighter weight and easier to handle.

Photo courtesy of Tile of Spain

Ceramic can be manufactured as extra large slabs, creating seamless interior landscapes or offering slabs sufficient to cover an entire kitchen island.

In the realm of style, the interplay between technology and larger format tiles are offering architects and interior designers a broad palette with which to enhance living spaces. Countertops are becoming more intelligent, and multifunctional. Manufacturers are combing cooking capabilities with built-in induction hobs, lighting control with concealed switches and integrated charging stations. 

Caroline Broderick, managing editor at Pro Remodeler, is seeing this category grow. in a recent Forbes article entitled, she notes, “Integrated power is definitely a newer feature I’ve noticed just within the past two to three years. The product itself has been available, but now we’re seeing surface manufacturers partnering with the manufacturers of hidden induction systems and using it within their products.

This just means it’s more reliable and accessible to contractors and their clients, so I’m sure we will see it much more over the coming years.”  Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiegold/2024/05/14/new-technology-from-spanish-brand-streamlines-kitchen-countertops/

The technical definition of “large format” ceramics according to ANSI standards as referenced in the TCNA 09300 Handbook is any tile with one dimension exceeding 16 inches, and in the context of gauged porcelain panels and slabs to mean 40 inches by 40 inches or larger. Designers are realizing the flexibility offered in interchanging the large format tiles with smaller tiles to create a varied appearance while offering uniform performance levels.

“For installations that seek the appearance of minimal joint lines and tight tolerances, then precision-cut (i.e., rectified) panels can be specified to be created in the factory,” explains Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP, in an Architectural Record article on large-size porcelain slabs. “This creates very thin grout lines, giving the porcelain the appearance and control of solid stone slabs.”

Popular Pavers

Another recent ceramic innovation is 2cm pavers for outdoor flooring applications. A fraction of the weight of dimensional stone and concrete pavers, the porcelain pavers don’t require a substrate and can be mechanically fastened for easier installation.

With matching 10mm material, architects can design ceramic flooring to continue from the interior to outside patios. Great for restaurants, the pavers offer continuity and a great aesthetic for matching interior and exterior spaces. With the application of digital printing, the pavers are gaining popularity for replicating wood, stone, concrete, and more.

“Having a material that can transition from interior to exterior spaces to create visual and performance continuity is a big deal,” confirms Fasan. “The advent of 2cm pavers allows for much more cost-effective exterior installations and with a little planning, the transition is seamless. Even when poor weather precludes open doorways or the use of outdoor rooms, the visual continuity gives a comforting illusion of our space being much larger than it is which can have a dramatic impact on our state of mind.”

While outdoor amenities have long been important, the pandemic has further accelerated people’s desire to be outside.

“We’re seeing real estate owners prioritize outside areas in offices because they’re attractive to employees and can lead to greater levels of productivity and job satisfaction. I am including some element that connects the indoors with the outdoors in nearly all of my designs,” says Eyink. “Flooring is a huge component of the indoor-outdoor relationship, a physical connecter that makes two spaces feel seamless. Porcelain tiles rated for exterior use are a great way to accentuate the transition and connection of these spaces.”

Photo courtesy of Tile of Spain

Also driving interest in outdoor pavers for restaurants are new city programs supporting supplemental outdoor dining to assist hospitality establishments struggling to survive post pandemic. Of note, Los Angeles has an L.A. Al Fresco initiative, which allows restaurants to apply for permits to expand dining areas into the street, sidewalk, and private parking lots. Similar programs are popping up in California’s Bay Area, and in Tampa, Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Connecticut, to name a few.

Porcelain pavers are a great way to tile over these areas, thanks to its light weight, which makes transport, handling, and installation faster and easier. In comparison, a ¾-in.-thick porcelain paver weighs 9 pounds per square feet whereas granite pavers have an average weight of 22.5 pounds per square feet and are twice as thick.

Porcelain also offers a high breaking strength and impact resistance, delivering a very sturdy surface.

Working with a grass set, all installers need to do is remove the sod beneath then place the pavers. For a gravel set, a three-layer system with sand for leveling is applied, coarse aggregate is used for drainage, and the install is finished with aggregate for an aesthetic topping.

The pavers can also be installed on pedestals for a raised floor, which is more common. The weight of the unit is often sufficient to settle into the floor upon installation with little to no movement, and no adhesion. This method is ideal for decks where drainage, slope, and waterproofing are below surface grade. Mortar set is also an option for areas like stairs.

Working with tile and cutting it precisely can be done more easily, and the material is extremely resistant to external abrasion or scratching by hard tools, equipment, and foot traffic.

UV resistance makes the pavers suitable for uncovered applications, and a higher dynamic coefficient of friction rating supports use in pool areas.

In comparing porcelain pavers to clay brick, concrete, cast-in-place concrete, and stone, porcelain outperforms them all in the realm of damage resistance to stains, UV rays, freeze-thaw, deicing, and acid. Porcelain’s water absorption in pavers like this is often less than 0.1%, compared to the other materials which range between 5 and 10 percent. In addition, porcelain pavers offer a significantly greater compressive strength with a PSI of greater than 30,000. Clay brick and concrete trail far behind at greater than 8,000 PSI, while commercial cast-in-place concrete pavers only offer a compressive strength of greater than 4,000 PSI.

Color and Style Trends

Because ceramics are seen as a more permanent solution, the industry tends to take a longer-term view on design trends. That said, colors and materials reflecting the natural world and evoking a sense of comfort are currently a major trend.

“There’s a lot of interest in natural, authentic colors, and earthy tones,” confirms Alonso.

The growing popularity of biophilic design is supported by the fact that the built environment’s association with the natural world has been proven to increase occupant cognitive function, physical health, and psychological well-being.

The demand for ceramic tile in natural colors is growing enormously, as specifiers and building owners are favoring brown, black, and grey earth tones, green hues of vegetation, and shades of blue, reflecting water and sky. Additionally, sunset orange, which evokes a natural, relaxed feeling, is also quite popular.

At the same time, Eyink is witnessing an influx of vibrant colors including beautiful emerald tones and other gemstone-inspired options that appear rich and can accent an overall space. “Artisan-like tiles that appear handmade are having a moment. With imperfect edges and surfaces, they bring a bespoke quality to their environment,” she notes.

She also sees subway tiles as evolving from the standard 3-inch-by-6-inch style to longer and thinner styles.

“Overall, I find myself drawn to modern, geometric patterns, like diamond-shaped or scalloped tiles with three-dimensional surfaces,” she relates. “Using them, we have the ability to create interesting patterns and mosaics, and the effect is nice because the tiles catch the light and provide depth.”

Offering her perspective, Avigail Eisenstadt, a principal with the Inwood, New York-based AEDG Design Group, is seeing a lot of unique terrazzo colors and different tile shapes and bits of color within the tiles. “We are also seeing Art Deco patterns, vintage style patterns, Moroccan, Arabesque, and Asian-inspired patterns, wood, cement, and marble looks, metallics, tiles with rivets, waves, and varieties of geometries stamped onto the tiles. Of course, the tile staple, the subway tile, still is and always will be a popular standard choice, especially for lower budget projects.”

Similarly, Fasan in observing a strong rise in classic earth tones of traditional terracottas, as more plant life is being invited indoors. “Earth is the natural companion of plants and this history and contextual reference is being celebrated in tile at the moment,” he notes.

With its baked-clay origin, ceramics are a natural match for growing interest in earthy materials.

With its natural colors and textures lending a raw, earthy look, terracotta is enjoying increased popularity, as are organic textures like woodgrain and rattan.

Commenting on biophilic design and how ceramics play into this trend, the folks at Coverings magazine stated in a “Top 10 Tiles Trends of 2024” article,  “When texture, sheen and reflectivity with color can be digitally manipulated, it is not only possible to recreate anything through ceramics, it is also easy. Modern tile production is at a stage where artistic expression knows no bounds, even when taking on a natural reproduction.”

In a recent Forbes article, wellness design consultant Jamie Gold observes that ceramic tile designs are favoring more natural and untreated wood looks as timber elements evoke calm and the natural world. “These natural inspirations are part of an overall trend toward wellness design, a definite growth industry since the start of the pandemic,” she says.

Tying into the biophilia trend, Gold is observing interest in colors which evoke a spa-like environment, such as soft blues and greens, muted tones, and textured neutrals reminiscent of the sky, forest, sand, and sea.

This affinity for the natural world is also driving interest in extra-large ceramic tile slabs designed to look like marble and other precious stones. In some applications, the white or classic subway tiles are broken by strong color blocks in bold colors suggestive of vegetation.

At the same time, smaller rectangle and square formats in matte and glossy glazes are still being specified, though Fasan anticipates more multi-finish designs to emerge, lending another layer of interest to this traditionally more reserved format.

Another color category trend is what Fasan refers to as unpretentious refinement.

“Simple, honest materials like finished plywood, raw concrete, and local timbers are becoming the melody over which we are building our visual symphony around,” he explains. “Instead of overworked and artificial, many are finding their design voice in the language of simple materials worked minimally, but with a craftsman’s care.”

This unpretentious refinement color palette includes honey, oatmeal, espresso, and heather grey with complementary colors of white, matte black, gunmetal, rusty corten, and warm grey.

Fasan predicts a rise in exposed aggregates as the lines between concrete and terrazzo collections soften and become blurred, and the aggregates favor a more complementary multihued variety. He adds that the chip pattern will be more diffused than usual, more accurately rendering the look of traditional terrazzo.

One other noteworthy trend is “cathedral stone,” reminiscent of small town European churches and cathedrals of the Renaissance. Historically inspired, marble and limestone are gaining market share as are styles inspired by the architectural stones used in important cultural and religious buildings.

Based on a small extraction of original material, the sample can be deep-scanned to reproduce these ancient and forgotten stones. “Advancements in digital inks and frits mean that we can reproduce a broader array of colors and even highlight the different mineral densities by using glossier frits or even sinking inks along the veinwork to deepen the realism of our stone looks today,”

Value-Added Catalysts and Nano-Treatments

Complementing material replications, colors, textures, and graphic effects, notable technological advancements are occurring in the realm of catalysts and nano-treatments to improve the health and safety properties of ceramics.

“We have seen an uptick among clients who are requesting measures to provide antimicrobial products into specifications,” confirms Waldrop.

“We have been following the progress in coating ceramic tiles with nanoparticles to create benefits such as self-cleaning and decomposition of pollutants,” observes Gwin. “This becomes very appealing to healthcare and medical environments in particular and can reduce the need for chemical cleaning products that can be detrimental to the environment.”

Eyink notes that the pandemic has increased our collective sensitivity to clean spaces. “Not only does the space need to be clean, it must appear clean,” she says. “In the case of healthcare, the perception of a clean environment directly impacts patient satisfaction.”

She adds that nano-coatings on surfaces provide an extra layer of durability, protect the surface, repel liquids, and improve color vibrancy. “I typically turn to materials like treated ceramics when working with clients who desire the highest performing products on the marketplace because of their functionality to eliminate staining and slipping,” she relates.

Photocatalytic technology capitalizes on the reaction between natural light and oxide catalysts which are encapsulated in a ceramic glaze. The result is a self-cleaning tile that repels dirt and causes water to run off more easily.

When sunlight or certain LED lights shine on the tiles, the titanium dioxide or other proprietary mineral compound particles baked into the glaze are activated and use the light energy to transform moisture in the air into oxidizing agents. This then destroys contaminating agents such as nitrogen dioxide particles and organic contaminants such as bacteria or mold and chemically transforms them into harmless water vapor and salt. This photocatalysis process is repeated millions of times per second until all contaminants are destroyed, giving the surface its self-cleaning properties.

The process causes water to expand evenly across the surface to more easily remove any dirt or other particles. For paver applications, as rainwater drains, the surface is left completely clean without water marks. This often eliminates the need for exterior building cleaning and the use of harmful cleaners.

Because the nano-treatment is not a coating, but rather baked into the glaze/body of the tile, this changes the hydrophilic properties of the surface, creating greater surface tension, making water sheet off the surface and allowing traffic better purchase on the surface, improving slip resistance in both wet and dry areas.

In addition to the nanoparticles, structural molds and molecular modifications to glazes’ sintered surfaces can be applied to make tiles even more slip-resistant when wet than when dry. These ceramic and porcelain tiles can have smooth and even a few semi-polished surfaces as well as textured surfaces. The application of these technologies produce safe and traffic-resistant tile flooring that is comfortable on the feet and easy to clean in almost any environment.

The tile feels smooth on the surface, yet provides a high level of surface resistance. Delivering the level of safety performance required in outdoor areas, the application of these technologies further enables designers to achieve the simplified, cohesive look of designing the same flooring for the interior and exterior for visual and technical continuity.

Proven to repel mildew, mold, and bacteria, some of the latest technologies are also pursuing antiviral certification. In fact, the Tile Council of North America’s (TCNA) Product Performance Testing Laboratory recently announced that it is expanding its microbiology-based services in light of increased testing inquiries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

New services include antiviral testing to determine the survival rates/duration of viruses on different surface materials and the efficacy of common household cleaners to disinfect these surfaces. TCNA is also joining the ASTM task force to develop surrogates for SARS-CoV-2 virus for testing purposes.

Ceramics and The Structural System

As a long-term system and as an integral aspect of a building’s operational systems, architects and owners can design for ceramics much more effectively if they are considered early on in a project’s design phase.

However, this involves a shift in mindset as ceramics are traditionally treated as finish items like paint, cabinetry, and upholstery, which are only specified after the structural and dimensional decisions have been determined.

“We need to stop thinking of tile as just another finish. The life span, maintenance, and replacement frequency of these other materials aren’t even in the same ballpark so why are we lumping them all together?” asks Fasan. On the contrary, “if ceramics become seen as an integral organ of the building’s operational systems, it is much more cost-effective and provides more benefits.”

For example, if ceramics are specified at the structural design phase, then the walls can be right sized so that large-scale ceramic modules fit with as few cuts as possible, and the ceiling height is the right height for the wall panel size. In optimizing these specifications, the installation time and effort will be much more cost-effective and efficient.

For ceramic flooring, issues like screeds and substrate tolerances can be accounted for early on. And because the ceramic is weather-resistant, very sturdy, and scratch-proof, the tile can be installed even before the walls go up. Tile setters don’t need to worry about tiling themselves into corners and can save time in the install process. Also, in the absence of walls, it’s much easier to move the ceramic tiles into the space prior to installation, especially when it comes to be behemoth formats of gauged porcelain panels and slabs.

As per the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installations, the substrate needs to meet proper stiffness and deflection criteria for ceramic installations, the latter of which is defined as potential movement which the installation may experience when subjected to load and use. Because ceramic tiles are rigid and therefore not be able to handle excessive movement in the substrate, the substrate must meet the maximum allowable deflection rating of L/360. Naturally, it’s much easier to ensure that the substrate meets this requirement early in the design and construction process.

CERAMICS CREATE VOLUME AND MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS FOR EUROPEAN SHOE CHAIN

Photo courtesy of Tile of Spain

At the La Roca Camper store in Barcelona, ceramic shapes and colors deliver a striking, three-dimensional aesthetic within a dark turquoise green interior to help the store stand out within the surrounding high-end retail outlet complex.

Ceramics continue to be the central theme in Tomás Alonso Studio’s latest Camper store design for the Mallorcan shoe manufacturer. With a dozen boutiques throughout Europe and Asia, the newest store at La Roca Village in Barcelona features zigzagging ceramic walls for display, storage, and seating, and a cashier desk made from ceramics.

Alonso’s application of ceramic shapes and colors delivers a striking, three-dimensional aesthetic and seeks to immerse customers in a setting with a strong emphasis on the purity of materials and their function. Set inside a dark turquoise green painted interior, the unique design helps the store stand out within the high-end retail outlet complex.

Telling some of the backstory as to how ceramics came to play such a prominent role in this chain of retail stores, Alonso explains that Camper was interested in a retail design that was a departure from a more common corporate style. In looking for a different kind of material that could offer a myriad of properties, “the durability, flexibility, ease of handling, and low maintenance needs led us to ceramic tiles,” he explains.

While Alonso’s first couple of Camper stores incorporated a two-dimensional look, the designer worked with Camper to reinterpret the design with each iteration of the store. Alonso’s designs soon began producing three-dimensional volumes with the tiles.

Photo courtesy of Tile of Spain

Zigzagging ceramic walls in the La Roca Camper store create a 3-D effect, and serve as both a display and a space to store boxes of shoes behind the walls.

“The system we created is based on a 10-inch-by-10-inch square tile and then introducing a triangle and two trapezoid shapes to create the illusion of cubes coming out of a flat wall,” he relates.

Because La Roca is a bigger store with a larger customer base, Camper needed the design to incorporate space for storage. Not only do the zigzagging walls help create the 3-D effect, but they solve this need by serving as both a display and a space to store boxes of shoes behind the walls.

Nestled inside the zigzagged walls are tiled benches strategically constructed between each zigzag for customers to try on apparel.

Tying into the heritage of the region, Alonso’s design integrates terracotta to highlight selected shoes, lend additional warmth, and create contrast with the glazed tiles.

Similar to La Roca, Camper’s London store uses volume to push the ceramics out of the walls while the shelves are used as shoe displays. In addition, geometrical drawings are incorporated into the ceramic tiles.

Photo courtesy of Tile of Spain

For Camper’s Santander, Spain, store, cubes, patterns, and letters in asymmetric volumes create a 3-D effect on the dominant ceramic wall.

Minimum-Effective Dose

While Alonso’s first couple of Camper stores incorporated a two-dimensional look, the designer worked with Camper to reinterpret the design with each iteration of the store. Alonso’s designs soon began producing three-dimensional volumes with the tiles. “There’s so much we can do to help optimize the usage and the budget involved in a premium solution-based material like tile,” adds Fasan.

While Alonso’s first couple of Camper stores incorporated a two-dimensional look, the designer worked with Camper to reinterpret the design with each iteration of the store. Alonso’s designs soon began producing three-dimensional volumes with the tiles. Here Fasan is also alluding to the application of advanced production capabilities to adjust gauged materials to optimize the use of ceramics based upon application. Called the “minimum-effective dose (MED),” the ceramic tile thickness can be slimmed down and still meet performance requirements. Consequently, by specifying thicknesses as little as 3.7mm for walls, 6mm for floors, and 2cm for pavers, the cost of materials and shipping can be significantly reduced.

While Alonso’s first couple of Camper stores incorporated a two-dimensional look, the designer worked with Camper to reinterpret the design with each iteration of the store. Alonso’s designs soon began producing three-dimensional volumes with the tiles. In fact, between 30 and 45 percent of a ceramic product’s cost is shipping. “The thinner you can make the material, the more you can pack into a container,” says Fasan. Especially now when transportation costs are at an all-time high, it’s essential that specifiers apply a MED mindset to their ceramic designs.

Super Ceramic

While Alonso’s first couple of Camper stores incorporated a two-dimensional look, the designer worked with Camper to reinterpret the design with each iteration of the store. Alonso’s designs soon began producing three-dimensional volumes with the tiles. With owners and architects prioritizing long-lasting, sustainable, and hygienic designs more than ever, the baseline and inherent characteristics of ceramics is propelling it to become a key solution.

While Alonso’s first couple of Camper stores incorporated a two-dimensional look, the designer worked with Camper to reinterpret the design with each iteration of the store. Alonso’s designs soon began producing three-dimensional volumes with the tiles. Low-maintenance, resistant to acids and alkali, heat and scratch-proof, UV resistant, and resistant to mold, mildew, and bacteria, ceramics are filling a key performance and safety niche for buildings today. As bathroom tiles, kitchen slabs, indoor and outdoor flooring, ceramics are emulating all different kinds of building materials, with an endless selection of colors, textures, prints, and styles.

While Alonso’s first couple of Camper stores incorporated a two-dimensional look, the designer worked with Camper to reinterpret the design with each iteration of the store. Alonso’s designs soon began producing three-dimensional volumes with the tiles. “The long-term durability of ceramic tile makes it a smart decision to specify for high traffic areas within our commercial, healthcare, hospitality, and multifamily projects,” states Eisenstadt.

While Alonso’s first couple of Camper stores incorporated a two-dimensional look, the designer worked with Camper to reinterpret the design with each iteration of the store. Alonso’s designs soon began producing three-dimensional volumes with the tiles. At the end of the day, ceramic tile is poised to be the go-to surface for flexible interior design in the post-pandemic world. “With its benefits and high durability, easy cleaning, and antimicrobial surface options, ceramic is an ideal choice for nearly every flexible use-case we could design for. Now is the best time ever to consider ceramic tile as a full, holistic system,” concludes Fasan.

Barbara Horwitz-Bennett is a veteran architectural journalist who has written hundreds of CEUs and articles for various AEC publications. www.bhbennett.com