The many expressions of material

A strong, unified vision guides Iris Ceramica Group: “Re-engineering ceramics to improve the interaction between people and the environment.” This principle is brought to life through the extensive research into materials carried out by the Group’s numerous brands, resulting in the development of innovative, high-performance and highly sustainable solutions for architecture, interiors and design. The aim is to push beyond the established boundaries of surfaces, both in terms of composition and application, expanding their creative and design potential. Each of the Group’s brands embraces this shared philosophy while interpreting it through its own distinctive identity. This was clearly demonstrated at Cersaie, where Iris Ceramica Group presented its latest proposals, born from the combination of deep-rooted expertise and a constant drive for innovation, transforming ceramics into an ever-evolving creative language.

his is the case with Dover White, the new surface by Fiandre. Rich in nuances and luminosity, it features soft veining and tactile details that give the surface remarkable depth and structure. The composition creates subtle plays of light while offering a surprisingly tactile experience. This effect is achieved through the new material-based IRIDIA technology developed by Iris Ceramica Group. Without the need for additional treatments, the surface incorporates all the elements of an authentically natural aesthetic, thanks to a production process designed to bring out its full technological potential both before and after firing – from the raw material and development of the design through to the final finish.

nder the light, the slab appears almost iridescent, combining natural colour with veins that seem sculpted into the surface. To the touch, it reveals a wealth of different yet complementary sensations: concave and convex reliefs, variations in depth and smoothness, patterns impressed into the material and layered over one another, alongside both textured and polished elements.
A more dynamic and vibrant aesthetic defines Portland, the new collection by Ariostea. Here, the brand’s research encompasses both materiality and decoration. The surface draws inspiration from Portland Stone, quarried on the Isle of Portland in Dorset and regarded as one of the most iconic limestones in British architecture. Ariostea’s Portland reinterprets its distinctive texture through a fine-grained background in pale grey and sandy tones, enriched by subtle clouding and delicate tonal variations. Gentle shifts in colour and sedimentary nuances evoke the passage of time and its effect on the material itself. Adding further personality to the collection – available in Greige, White and Beige – is the Weave décor, specifically developed for the Portland slabs as an interplay of overlapping textures. Weave creates a dense pattern of regularly interlaced forms across the surface, reminiscent of traditional rattan weaving. By combining the appearance of stone with the woven texture typically associated with natural fibres, it brings additional richness, detail and depth to the overall composition.

Finally, Negresco by Sapienstone is as dramatic as it is sophisticated, transforming a natural geological process into its defining aesthetic feature. Negresco takes inspiration from the characteristic composition of breccia – formed when parent rock fractures and recombines to create an entirely new pattern – and amplifies its visual impact. The result evokes a Brazilian brecciated quartzite with a dark, almost graphite-coloured background, crossed by a network of pale veins that flow freely across the surface, forming islands and fissures that tell the story of its geological evolution. The Natural finish further enhances the depth of the veining through a special treatment of the ceramic surface.