Tile of Spain presents ‘Spanish Design as a Souvenir’ at Fuorisalone
How does an architectural installation express the identity of a region? How can a building material connect with the essence of a nation? These questions are at the heart of the installation presented by Tile of Spain during Milan Design Week 2026. Titled Spanish Design as a Souvenir, this installation transforms ceramic tile into a narrative medium, showcasing sculptural objects that reinterpret everyday icons of Spanish life.
Spain’s rich tapestry of culture has been woven through centuries of diverse influences, including Muslim, Phoenician, Roman, Greek, Carthaginian, and Visigothic elements. This cultural amalgamation is vividly reflected in the country’s architecture, art, and design. From the vibrant flamenco to the intricate ceramic tiles that adorn façades and historic monuments, each region of Spain boasts its own customs and traditions. The installation at Fuorisalone serves as a celebration of this diversity, emphasizing how architecture and design can encapsulate a region’s identity.
Throughout its history, Spain has produced a wealth of artistic expressions, from the masterpieces of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí to the literary works of Miguel de Cervantes and Federico García Lorca. This artistic heritage is mirrored in Spanish architecture, which varies dramatically across the country, shaped by local materials, environmental conditions, and historical contexts. The architectural language of Spain is as diverse as its landscapes, featuring ornamental elements, ceramic tiles, and complex geometries that tell stories of the past.
Tile of Spain presents Spanish Design as a Souvenir at the Fuorisalone | all images courtesy of Sailko
Spain’s multilayered identity is expressed through its architecture, which serves as a canvas for cultural values and historical memory. From the Moorish palaces of Andalusia to the granite fortresses of Galicia, the materials used in Spanish architecture reflect a conscious adaptation to regional contexts. The Basque Country, for instance, embodies an industrial heritage and maritime traditions, while Valencian architecture harmonizes Mediterranean influences with innovative ceramic designs.
The installation at Fuorisalone highlights the role of ceramics in construction, addressing contemporary challenges such as climate change and economic shifts. It emphasizes the need to adapt architectural discourse while preserving regional identity. Under the auspices of Tile of Spain’s international promotion program, led by ICEX and ASCER (Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association), Spanish Design as a Souvenir showcases the cultural and design potential of Spanish ceramics.
Università degli Studi di Milano—Ca’ Granda
The installation, designed by Madrid-based practice Codoo Studio, features eleven sculptural objects that reinterpret iconic elements of Spanish material culture, each clad in ceramic tiles. Set in the historic courtyard of the Università degli Studi di Milano—Ca’ Granda, the installation includes:
- El Salvamanteles, a trivet referencing the flamenco tablao and the Andalusian cajón (Cristacer)
- Las Castañuelas, an oversized pair of dark ceramic castanets (Vives)
- El Plato, inspired by the white-and-indigo porcelain dish common in Spanish homes (Arcana)
- El Aceite, a monumental olive oil bottle in green and gold tones (Dune Cerámica, Peronda)
- El Cenicero, a reinterpretation of the Copenhagen ashtray designed by Jørgen Haugen Sørensen and produced in Spain in the 1960s (Decocer, ECerámico)
- La Camiseta, the classic tourist T-shirt rendered in mustard-colored tile (Colorker)
- La Milán 430, the iconic Spanish eraser, one of the most recognizable objects of domestic design (Cevica)
- La Bota, the traditional Spanish wine container (Argenta, Tau Cerámica)
- La Pajarita, the bow tie associated with Miguel de Unamuno (Cevica)
- El Imán, a large-format refrigerator magnet inspired by hydraulic tile compositions (Apavisa, Gayafores, El Barco)
- El Beso, based on Salvador Dalí’s Dalilips sofa from the 1970s (Vidrepur)
Each object functions as an autonomous, transportable volume, designed to stand independently without additional structural support. The installation is structured as a contemporary still life at an architectural scale, with the central premise redefining ceramic tile as a material that shapes the object itself. Most pieces are constructed using a system of wooden frames, moisture-resistant MDF panels, and ceramic tiles applied with flexible cement adhesive, allowing for dry assembly, disassembly, and reuse. In contrast, El Beso employs an XPS (extruded polystyrene) core, shaped manually or via CNC and finished with glass mosaic to accommodate its organic, curvilinear geometry.
Spanish Design as a Souvenir transforms ceramic tile into a narrative medium
The installation spans a total area of 1000 × 150 cm, with pieces weighing between 44 kg (La Milán 430) and 247 kg (El Aceite), and heights ranging from 20 cm to 250 cm. This range of dimensions and weights showcases the versatility of ceramic tiles as a medium for artistic expression.
By placing Spanish ceramics at the center of Milan Design Week 2026, Tile of Spain elevates the material beyond mere construction, positioning it as a cultural and design force. Spanish Design as a Souvenir transforms ceramic tile into a narrative medium, bridging industrial practice with memory, identity, and contemporary design. The collaboration of fourteen Spanish ceramic manufacturers underscores the spirit of exchange and shared knowledge that defines Spanish culture.
Guest Feature by Agustina Iñiguez / ArchDaily
