Modern Designs Give New Life to Cement Tiles
Intricate and eye-catching, the designs on today’s cement tiles mark a break with the past while preserving the age-old technique
Cement tiles date back to 19th century Europe, where they were developed and then used widely in Art Nouveau architecture. Tiles were a popular choice for floors in Spain – such as in Gaudí’s Barcelona – France, Germany and other countries around the world. Later, with the arrival of Bauhaus and other 20th century styles, it fell out of favour.
Today, however, cement tiles are once again becoming a floor covering of choice, driven by the boom in all things vintage and the growing appreciation for handmade products worldwide. While traditional cement tile designs are enjoying a revival, new patterns are also gaining in popularity. Designers and manufacturers are updating these tiles with contemporary geometric patterns, giving them a second life through a more versatile look.
Today, however, cement tiles are once again becoming a floor covering of choice, driven by the boom in all things vintage and the growing appreciation for handmade products worldwide. While traditional cement tile designs are enjoying a revival, new patterns are also gaining in popularity. Designers and manufacturers are updating these tiles with contemporary geometric patterns, giving them a second life through a more versatile look.
What was new about these tiles was the fact that, unlike clay and ceramic tiles, they didn’t need to be fired. In addition to this being more practical, manufacturers could be certain that the colours of the finished pieces would differ very little to those of the wet ones. This was not the case with ceramic tiles, where the firing process considerably altered colouring, as a result of which the testing process for ascertaining the requisite colour scheme was far more complex.
The technique for creating cement tiles involves pressing a mass – composed of cement sand, natural stone granules and colour pigments – into a mould in the shape of the tile (which can be square, hexagonal, octagonal etc). The mould also can contain a divider mould, known in Spanish as trepa, which is designed to keep the colours forming the pattern separate from each other, as shown here.
The tiles are made individually, with each one taking about three minutes to craft. After a tile is compacted in a press and removed from its mould, it’s immersed in water for several hours to start the curing process – cement sets and becomes adhesive due to a chemical reaction between the dry ingredients and the water. It’s then left to dry for about four weeks.
Here’s an alphabetical guide to tile terms
The technique for creating cement tiles involves pressing a mass – composed of cement sand, natural stone granules and colour pigments – into a mould in the shape of the tile (which can be square, hexagonal, octagonal etc). The mould also can contain a divider mould, known in Spanish as trepa, which is designed to keep the colours forming the pattern separate from each other, as shown here.
The tiles are made individually, with each one taking about three minutes to craft. After a tile is compacted in a press and removed from its mould, it’s immersed in water for several hours to start the curing process – cement sets and becomes adhesive due to a chemical reaction between the dry ingredients and the water. It’s then left to dry for about four weeks.
Here’s an alphabetical guide to tile terms
Using the same technique, some manufacturers and designers have begun to explore new patterns for cement tiles. The Drops collection, shown here, was designed by Spanish studio Mut Design and introduced in 2012 by Valencia-based manufacturer Enticdesigns.
“The Drops collection caused a stir in the industry because it was one of the first re-workings that gave a twist to the classic patterns and rigid layout that characterise this type of flooring,” Mut Design founder Alberto Sánchez says. While a certain type of cement tile has traditionally featured geometric patterns, Drops offers something new by enabling the creation of a random design.
“We believe this is something that hasn’t been done before,” Sánchez says. “Cement tiles have tended to have a rigid layout, with a single tile from which homogenous designs and patterns are obtained. As well as a beautiful design, we were looking for something more, which is why we created an open layout system based on four tiles with certain variations, which allow us to play with the pattern and create different rhythms across spaces.” That approach is reflected in this kitchen floor.
“This open layout allows the user to be part of the design process and come up with the final arrangement they’re looking for,” Sánchez adds.
“We believe this is something that hasn’t been done before,” Sánchez says. “Cement tiles have tended to have a rigid layout, with a single tile from which homogenous designs and patterns are obtained. As well as a beautiful design, we were looking for something more, which is why we created an open layout system based on four tiles with certain variations, which allow us to play with the pattern and create different rhythms across spaces.” That approach is reflected in this kitchen floor.
“This open layout allows the user to be part of the design process and come up with the final arrangement they’re looking for,” Sánchez adds.
The same idea has been applied to the more geometrical Keidos collection (pictured), also manufactured by Enticdesigns.
Founded by María-Eugenia Rubio in Valencia in 2005, Enticdesigns manufactures its tiles in association with a Córdoba, Spain-based workshop that benefits from four generations of know-how in the field. “Cement tiles offer something other materials don’t, and that’s the fact that they age really well,” Rubio says. “They acquire this gorgeous patina over time, which, together with the fact that handmade processes are starting to be appreciated again, is helping to bring this type of covering back into fashion.”
“The market is very demanding right now, which is why we’re always looking to set ourselves apart with our designs, whether through the colours or the patterns we use,” Alberto Sánchez says, explaining their philosophy. “The work we do for Enticdesigns involves coming up with something new and different, far removed from what we’re used to seeing in cement tiles.”
Founded by María-Eugenia Rubio in Valencia in 2005, Enticdesigns manufactures its tiles in association with a Córdoba, Spain-based workshop that benefits from four generations of know-how in the field. “Cement tiles offer something other materials don’t, and that’s the fact that they age really well,” Rubio says. “They acquire this gorgeous patina over time, which, together with the fact that handmade processes are starting to be appreciated again, is helping to bring this type of covering back into fashion.”
“The market is very demanding right now, which is why we’re always looking to set ourselves apart with our designs, whether through the colours or the patterns we use,” Alberto Sánchez says, explaining their philosophy. “The work we do for Enticdesigns involves coming up with something new and different, far removed from what we’re used to seeing in cement tiles.”
This Barcelona apartment designed by CaSA – Colombo and Serboli Architecture features a tile design by Zelart. The colours of the tiles have been customised for the project, so they tie in with the design of the rest of the house. “This is one of the biggest assets of cement tiles,” Rubio says. “They’re handmade, which means the colours in the pattern can be customised.”
“The updating of cement tile patterns only increases the possible applications of this kind of covering and its target market,” says Matteo Colombo from CaSA – Colombo and Serboli Architecture. “It’s a material that can be used in new ways and as part of contemporary projects involving the laying of a new floor. You can see this with the Tyche apartment [pictured], where we opted to show that it’s not an original floor. If we hadn’t, it would have looked a little fake. When we lay a new floor, we prefer people to see that it’s a contemporary material, rather than create a false history behind it.”
“Cement tiles don’t lose any of their identity with these new designs,” says CaSA’s Andrea Serboli. “In fact, the patterns open up a whole new avenue of possibilities. Every material has a development curve, and it’s our belief that new tile designs will age just as well as traditional ones.”
Find out where to use which tile
“The updating of cement tile patterns only increases the possible applications of this kind of covering and its target market,” says Matteo Colombo from CaSA – Colombo and Serboli Architecture. “It’s a material that can be used in new ways and as part of contemporary projects involving the laying of a new floor. You can see this with the Tyche apartment [pictured], where we opted to show that it’s not an original floor. If we hadn’t, it would have looked a little fake. When we lay a new floor, we prefer people to see that it’s a contemporary material, rather than create a false history behind it.”
“Cement tiles don’t lose any of their identity with these new designs,” says CaSA’s Andrea Serboli. “In fact, the patterns open up a whole new avenue of possibilities. Every material has a development curve, and it’s our belief that new tile designs will age just as well as traditional ones.”
Find out where to use which tile
“As in other parts of Europe, cement tiles were very popular in Sweden around 100 years ago, and were most commonly used in lobbies, corridors, schools, theatres and the like,” says Per Anders Ovin, who founded Swedish company Marrakech Design with his wife, Inga-Lill, in 2006, naming the company after the city in Morocco that inspired its creation. “Where you didn’t see cement tiles very often was in homes, where we tended to go for wood. They then fell into oblivion until about five to 10 years ago.”
“We believe the change is down to an international trend, the increased demand for unique and personalised projects, the revival of all things vintage and the growing interest in geometrical patterns, all in response to the minimalism that was so prevalent before,” Ovin says. “The tiles are handmade, they can be customised, they are beautiful in themselves and they acquire a lovely patina over time. All these things combine to make them a much more interesting material than others that might be more modern, but which don’t age as well.”
With the exception of bathrooms, however, in Sweden this type of tile continues to be used more for non-residential projects.
“We believe the change is down to an international trend, the increased demand for unique and personalised projects, the revival of all things vintage and the growing interest in geometrical patterns, all in response to the minimalism that was so prevalent before,” Ovin says. “The tiles are handmade, they can be customised, they are beautiful in themselves and they acquire a lovely patina over time. All these things combine to make them a much more interesting material than others that might be more modern, but which don’t age as well.”
With the exception of bathrooms, however, in Sweden this type of tile continues to be used more for non-residential projects.
Ovin explains that the tiles are normally used not to lend a Mediterranean touch to a room, but to create a striking ambience, as in this bedroom, which features the Dandelion tile design by celebrated Swedish firm Claesson Koivisto Rune.
Ovin says this revamped style “is a natural development for this type of covering. If you look back at traditional tile designs, there are a lot of geometrical patterns. All these new designs are doing is taking another step forwards.”
The Ovins have built up a close relationship with fellow cement tile brand Popham Design, founded in 2007 by American couple Caitlin and Samuel Dowe-Sandes in Marrakech. “We manufacture some of each other’s products and we even represent them and market their products in Sweden,” Ovin says.
Ovin says this revamped style “is a natural development for this type of covering. If you look back at traditional tile designs, there are a lot of geometrical patterns. All these new designs are doing is taking another step forwards.”
The Ovins have built up a close relationship with fellow cement tile brand Popham Design, founded in 2007 by American couple Caitlin and Samuel Dowe-Sandes in Marrakech. “We manufacture some of each other’s products and we even represent them and market their products in Sweden,” Ovin says.
“I think the boom it’s enjoying now is all down to a greater appreciation for authentic, handmade products. You can’t compare the way a cement tile feels and looks with a factory-produced product, and it’s not easy to confuse the two either,” Caitlin Dowe-Sandes of Popham Design says.
“As for its design, people feel it’s an influence that comes from exotic places, such as Morocco, and has to be filtered so it fits in with their lifestyle,” Dowe-Sandes says. “That’s the concept behind Popham Design: mixing a traditional technique and preserving a craft, while bringing the product up to date with more contemporary patterns and colours.”
“Our patterns, which are modern in style and not at all traditional, are normally used by architects and interior designers to lend character to a space. They’re placed on walls and floors in much the same way as wallpaper or a large rug, to give character and a fresh dimension to a room,” Dowe-Sandes adds. “The fact that the colours in our patterns can be totally customised gives designers and architects the chance to add decorative elements to a project that are unique.”
See how this Moroccan house transforms into a holiday home
“Our patterns, which are modern in style and not at all traditional, are normally used by architects and interior designers to lend character to a space. They’re placed on walls and floors in much the same way as wallpaper or a large rug, to give character and a fresh dimension to a room,” Dowe-Sandes adds. “The fact that the colours in our patterns can be totally customised gives designers and architects the chance to add decorative elements to a project that are unique.”
See how this Moroccan house transforms into a holiday home
“As I said before, the boom in cement tiles is partly down to an increased appreciation of handmade products,” Dowe-Sandes continues. “The craftspeople who make our tiles have years of experience and are very proud of what they do. I think you can see that in the finished product. At the same time, there’s a global shift towards geometrical designs and daring colours. Our tiles fuse both and lend a unique touch and a lot of character to the spaces in which they’re laid.”
“We love traditional cement tiles, so we’d never say the modern ones are better than the old ones,” she says. “Design is something that evolves, and often the best products are the ones that combine know-how and techniques from the past with new ideas and technologies. The patterns we’ve been seeing in the cement tile industry in the last few years are helping more people get to know this type of covering, which also helps keep the tradition alive.”
“We love traditional cement tiles, so we’d never say the modern ones are better than the old ones,” she says. “Design is something that evolves, and often the best products are the ones that combine know-how and techniques from the past with new ideas and technologies. The patterns we’ve been seeing in the cement tile industry in the last few years are helping more people get to know this type of covering, which also helps keep the tradition alive.”
Alexander Kolganov and Schepenok Eugene of Russian interior design studio Model_Bananova invariably include cement tiles in their projects. The tiles lining the backsplash and column in this kitchen are made by the Spanish manufacturer Mosaic del Sur.
Cement tiles are also seen in Russia as having a Moroccan influence, with the North African country having started producing them after France and Spain. “Although they’re normally used in projects with a Mediterranean feel, they’re also starting to feature in more contemporary interiors,” Kolganov says. “Popham Design might be a new company, but it’s one of the ones that stand out most, and we feel its pieces are a long way from being traditional. It’s one of our favourites, along with French company Carocim and Malaga-based Mosaic del Sur.”
Cement tiles are also seen in Russia as having a Moroccan influence, with the North African country having started producing them after France and Spain. “Although they’re normally used in projects with a Mediterranean feel, they’re also starting to feature in more contemporary interiors,” Kolganov says. “Popham Design might be a new company, but it’s one of the ones that stand out most, and we feel its pieces are a long way from being traditional. It’s one of our favourites, along with French company Carocim and Malaga-based Mosaic del Sur.”
In Germany, meanwhile, cement tiles have been used since the days of Art Nouveau and proved very popular at the start of the 20th century. One of the country’s best-known manufacturers of this type of covering is Via.
“We work with designers, and I also create patterns for our cement tiles,” says Almut Lager, who runs the company. “At Via, we have a fascination for the old designs, especially those from the Art Nouveau era. Cement tiles are wonderful and work very well with so many patterns, including new ones. Old designs are more classical and are an excellent solution in the long term, as we’ve seen over the years. What we don’t yet know is how these new designs will age.”
“We work with designers, and I also create patterns for our cement tiles,” says Almut Lager, who runs the company. “At Via, we have a fascination for the old designs, especially those from the Art Nouveau era. Cement tiles are wonderful and work very well with so many patterns, including new ones. Old designs are more classical and are an excellent solution in the long term, as we’ve seen over the years. What we don’t yet know is how these new designs will age.”
Underpinned by cement tile enthusiasts around the world, the trend has now been picked up by major manufacturers. In 2015, Italian firm Bisazza, which specialises in glass mosaics, launched a collection of cement tiles, embracing a new material in the process and embarking on a new phase in its development.
In doing so, the firm called on a roster of top designers, namely Tom Dixon, India Mahdavi, Paola Navone, Carlo Dal Bianco and Jaime Hayon, the man behind the tile design shown here.
In doing so, the firm called on a roster of top designers, namely Tom Dixon, India Mahdavi, Paola Navone, Carlo Dal Bianco and Jaime Hayon, the man behind the tile design shown here.
What’s so distinctive about Jaime Hayon’s designs are the endless combinations offered by the arrangement of the tiles. They create a rich array of textures and eye-catching geometrical figures that seem to go on forever and convey a sense of movement and continuity between different spaces.
In contrast, Tom Dixon’s patterns are much more urban and ‘pop’ in nature, as is usually the case with the British designer. “With this collection, we’ve tried to offer a contemporary and sophisticated take on traditional cement tiles, combining the attributes of modern design with the appeal of a handmade product,” says Rosella Bisazza, daughter of the firm’s founder and its communications director.
‘Although cement tiles use a very different language to glass mosaics, we have looked for a way of tying them in with the Bisazza style,’ she adds. This design is by Paola Navone, whose designs are the most playful of the collection.
Another major name that’s just moved into the cement tile market is Peronda, one of Spain’s largest manufacturers of ceramic tiling. The tiles pictured here are Roll, from the Harmony collection, designed by the studio Dsignio and launched at the end of 2015. It’s a truly intelligent design.
“The entire floor in this space is formed by a single hexagonal piece that’s rotated and positioned in different ways,” Patxi Cotarelo of Dsignio says. “In terms of the layout, the possibilities are endless, some of them more ordered and formal in style, some more chaotic and fun.”
“The entire floor in this space is formed by a single hexagonal piece that’s rotated and positioned in different ways,” Patxi Cotarelo of Dsignio says. “In terms of the layout, the possibilities are endless, some of them more ordered and formal in style, some more chaotic and fun.”
As a result of the cement tile boom, some companies specialising in ceramic tiles, such as Peronda and Porcelanosa, have started to market ceramic tiles with patterns inspired by cement tile designs. The tiles pictured here are part of the FS collection by Francisco Segarra for Peronda. Generally speaking, they have an aged, worn patina and retro-style patterns.
Besides being composed of different materials, ceramic tiles and the less-glossy cement tiles differ in how they are made. Ceramic tiles are factory-made, while cement tiles are, as we have seen, produced by hand.
Read more:
A Complete Guide To Handmade Cement Floor Tiles
Tell us:
Are you a fan of cement tiles? What do you think of the new geometrics in comparison to more traditional patterns? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Read more:
A Complete Guide To Handmade Cement Floor Tiles
Tell us:
Are you a fan of cement tiles? What do you think of the new geometrics in comparison to more traditional patterns? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Cement tiles are made by hand, which helps to explain why they’re so appreciated. The process of making them has remained unchanged for more than 100 years.
It was in the mid-19th century that the technique for making the tiles was developed in the south of France, based on the British patent for Portland cement. The first manufacturers to produce registered collections hailed from Catalonia, Spain.