CERAMIC SURFACES FOR THE MID CENTURY STYLE
Ariostea, part of the Iris Ceramica Group, brings the raw visual language of concrete to ceramic surfaces with Mūra, a porcelain stoneware project for contemporary architecture. The surfaces are conceptually rooted in a tribute to the mid-20th-century artistic current — a movement that recognized and utilized basic construction elements like cement and iron rods as key sculptural components. Offering complete aesthetic and functional continuity, Mūra provides versatile solutions for both high-end residential and demanding commercial spaces. The project unites three technical format lines, from expansive Ultra slabs and traditional Classics sizes through to robust CM2 Outdoor, creating a monolithic system across any scale.
Mūra perfectly fits the mid-century style with raw aesthetics | all images courtesy of Ariostea
ARIOSTEA MASTERING MATERIAL AUTHENTICITY
Ariostea has mastered the process of translating raw material authenticity into durable technical ceramic surfaces. The three deep tones — Lunara, Sankira, and Ramia — avoid superficial artifice, instead intensifying the subtle tactile details honed by the brand over three decades of experience. The surface features fine veining that precisely mimics the characteristic bubbles that emerge and burst during the natural concrete drying cycle. This technical precision results in a vital quality that offers an honest, unfiltered engagement with the material’s aesthetic.
the project translates the raw visual language of concrete into ceramic surfaces
MŪRA OFFERS DESIGN FLEXIBILITY IN THREE DIMENSIONS
The versatility of the Mūra project is reflected in its three main formats, designed to ensure a flawless transition between different architectural applications, indoors and out. The Ultra line, with a minimal 6 mm thickness, is expressed through large slabs up to 270×120 cm in the Natural Plus finish. These grand dimensions are crucial for spaces demanding visual continuity and minimal disruption, and are particularly well-suited for creating custom furniture such as counters, tables, and vanity tops in the hospitality and retail sectors.
For interiors, the Classics sizes including 100×100 cm and 120×60 cm are available in 6 mm and 8 mm thicknesses. The Natural Plus finish gives the surface a tactile softness, recalling a polished concrete style. This line is enriched by the unique Tessura decoration, a discrete graphic element that mimics the footprint left by formwork, generating a refined, metallic-grey texture.
avoiding superficial imitation, the Lunara, Sankira, and Ramia tones intensify the authentic character of cement
Finally, the CM2 Outdoor solution features an increased 20 mm thickness and an Antislip finish to guarantee maximum safety and durability in external environments. Suitable for terraces, poolsides, and walkways, the 100×100 cm size is designed to withstand continuous stresses and can be installed dry on gravel, sand, or as raised flooring, ensuring high-performance continuity in any outdoor space. Mūra’s flexibility ensures it is perfectly compatible with the other references in the Ariostea catalogue, offering designers endless possibilities in composition.
details of fine veining that mimic the characteristic air bubbles of the natural concrete drying cycle