Elementos Extruidos

Today’s dose of Tile Addiction brings together three of my all-time tiling faves: Patricia Urquiola, Mutina, and cogobós. It concerns Celosia, a new range of extruded teracotta elements designed by Patricia Urquiola for Mutina. With Celosia, Mutina and Patricia Urquiola wanted to reprise the traditional artisanal production process typical of terracotta. The aim was to keep the essence of these earth-sourced elements: imperfect and solid, marked both by the hand of man and by the passage of time. Adopting an architectural form reminiscent of Brazilian cogobós, in the Celosia range standard two-dimensional wall coverings are translated into experimental three-dimensional bricks. These versatile elements combine bold, geometric aesthetics with a functional quality that suggests almost limitless design options, both indoors and out.

“I needed a real tactile material, which did not pretend to be anything else. I was looking for a warm element, both visually and to the touch,” explains Patricia Urquiola.

100mm thick, the Celosia range of extruded partition elements, measuring 205 by 265mm, are suitable for both residential and commercial walls up to 4 metres high. To get the best results, Mutina suggests installation using special wooden profiles, including a top profile with removable sides for ceiling fixing; and the use of an organic and eco-friendly sealing material, produced by Kerakoll, which is sold separately.

Celosia was created by renowned Spanish architect and designer, Patricia Urquiola, a long-time Mutina collaborator who has designed numerous collections for the company since 2008, including Déchirer, Bas-Relief, Azulej, Tierras, and Cover. Born in Oviedo, Spain, Urquiola has lived and worked in Milan for over 20 years. After graduating in 1989, she worked for Achille Castiglioni, collaborated with Vico Magistretti, and was Head of Design at Lissoni Associati. She opened her own studio in 2001, and has since realised projects for Gianvito Rossi, BMW, Flos, Missoni, Moroso, Officine Panerai, H&M, Santoni, and Pitti Uomo Firenze. Her abilities have garnered numerous international prizes including the Medalla de Oro al Mérito en las Bellas Artes and the Order of Isabella the Catholic, Designer of the Decade, and Designer of the Year.

Mutina