The new Mosa µ tile is a floor tile range that is designed to interact with space and time: redefining spaces. Mosa’s μ [mu] cleverly responds to a setting’s changing light, subtly shifting shades throughout the day. Born out of Mosa’s deep understanding of the world of ceramics, the range was inspired by exploring the relationship between illumination and the colour spectrum. Nature, art, and trends in architecture, as well as ancient Greek philosophers’ visions on colour and light, all played a pivotal role in the creation of µ.
Mosa’s in house R&D team, led by José Maase and Mireille Meijs, studied ceramic pigments and the way they interact with each other, as well as their relationship with coloured objects and elements such as light, distance and angle. The end result expertly weaves different hues across a single surface, creating an inherent dynamism. As light changes in a room, so does the look of a μ floor, resulting in colour effects that are intangible and surprising. In essence, μ makes the most of the three-dimensional space that surrounds it, while adding the fourth dimension – time – to the mix.
Each surface of each tile in the μ range is a combination of many different colours; an optical blend of millions of brightly tinted grains. The tiles of this pared-down range come in four key overall neutral shades: white, light grey, grey and brown. A bespoke arrangement of different bright hues, transformed by the way they are lit, helps build μ’s identity: distinctive, fluid, and ethereal, yet energetic.
Due to the unique production process, a surface that appears grey and softly coloured from a certain distance, on close inspection is revealed to be a bespoke arrangement of different bright hues, transformed by the way they are lit.
Intended for use in interior and exterior floors and wall cladding applications, the range has a granular surface created by mixing ceramic pigment with clay. Sensitive to changes in light, μ has a matt, unglazed, smooth R10-rated surface. It is available in a single format: 600 by 600mm.
μ was awarded a Red Dot design award in 2017. The Red Dot award’s citation notes: “They are available in four calm colour tones, but they stand out because they respond to the changing light of the environment and subtly go through gradations of colour during the course of the day. This transformation is caused by the ceramic pigments mixed in with the clay and the particular approach of combining different colours. This ensures that the tiles absorb certain light waves and reflect others, thus creating various hues. Their shades change depending on the viewing angle and the distance from which they are observed.”
The award jury concluded “The Mosa µ [mu] ceramic tile range is based on an exciting design idea. Its changing colours can be used to create surprising mood shifts in the home.“
To see the tile in action:
A new post by Joe Simpson, Diary of a Tile Addict, October 2017.