The Children?s Education and Innovation Centre in Valencia, Spain, is covered with colourful Natucer porcelain tiles. The glazed tiles act as a rainscreen, and are fastened to slotted tracks. Photo: Javier Fuente
Every February, the city of Valencia, Spain, plays host to Cevisama, an international fair for ceramic tile. The words ?Spanish tile? may conjure up elaborately decorated glazed tiles with bright colours and patterns, but in reality, today?s Spanish ceramic tiles are very different from their historic precedents. With a focus on innovation, the industry is producing a vast array of contemporary ceramic products while also putting sustainability at the forefront.
Traditionally, ceramic materials were almost exclusively employed as wall and floor coverings. Now, these products are being increasingly used in more architectural applications, including in ventilated exterior façades and raised floor systems. Ceramic ventilated façades are widely used in Europe due to the material?s durability and resistance to pollution, weather and salt. These rainscreen systems are becoming a popular means of minimizing typical envelope problems, including thermal bridging and condensation. Marazzi?s Grande Marble Look tiles come in large-scale, thin slabs that require less material to produce than standard tiles. Courtesy Marazzi
Large-format tiles?as big as 320 x 160 cm?appear to be a leading product within both the tile industry and the design community. These amazingly strong tile...