Elementary Observations on Ornament

Traditionally used for floors and wall coverings, cement tiles return to the spotlight through Elementary Observations on Ornament , a concept developed by Marialaura Irvine for Forma&Cemento. The project encourages architects and designers to rediscover the expressive and functional potential of cement tiles through color, composition, and full customization.

The collection offers a variety of formats and nearly infinite creative possibilities: geometric or free-form patterns, tailored color combinations, and three-dimensional textures that enhance the material essence of UHPC concrete. These tiles become a flexible and character-rich design element, capable of enriching surfaces with a renewed ornamental language.

And this is just the beginning: Elementary Observations on Ornament marks the first chapter in a broader research project exploring the relationship between form, surface, and ornament—opening the door to new applications and collaborations in the world of contemporary design.

"To compose is to listen to the form that offers itself, not to impose the one we seek" - M. Irvine

Read the full article HERE