The architectural legacy of Covid-19

(March 2025) | Five years after the emergence of Covid-19 and nearly three years since Italy officially declared the emergency over, it is worth reflecting on the way in which spatial design and surface coverings have evolved and the important contribution that ceramic products have made to these changes. Despite the relatively brief timeframe, at least three key trends have emerged and remain integral features of modern architecture.

Well-being and health

Well-being was inevitably the starting point. Homes have always served as places of refuge, but the heightened emphasis on health and hygiene has further reinforced this role. The surge in global construction activity during the immediate post-pandemic period clearly demonstrates how consumers have prioritised these aspects. Renowned for their hygiene and ease of sanitation even after repeated use of aggressive chemical cleaning products, as well as their fire resistance and absence of harmful or volatile emissions, ceramics have been widely adopted in both renovation and new-build projects across residential and commercial sectors. These characteristics, together with the already well-known advantages of ceramics, have enhanced the perception of well-being in living spaces, significantly increasing the material’s value in contemporary architecture.

Multifunctional spaces and buildings

During the extended periods spent confined to our homes during lockdown, we were forced to rethink our living spaces with a greater emphasis on multifunctionality. The kitchen table, once reserved for meals, doubled up as a workspace during the day, seamlessly merging the realms of personal and professional life. The enormous versatility of Italian ceramic tiles in terms of sizes, colours, textures and surface effects makes them an ideal solution for both aesthetic and functional requirements.

Ceramic slabs in particular have significantly improved the aesthetic appeal and functionality of homes. Used to clad kitchen and bathroom units or create lighting fixtures, these surfaces are the ideal solution for achieving a cohesive total look and harmonious interior design. Additionally, ceramic slabs can serve as bookshelves, integrate induction cooktops or function as removable sink covers, enabling living spaces to switch effortlessly between co-living and co-working configurations without sacrificing usability.

Biophilic architecture

A renewed connection with nature, from apartment terraces to the use of public green spaces, is the third significant legacy of the pandemic and has become a central theme in contemporary architecture. Previously viewed as wasted space due to the premium placed on indoor square footage, balconies are now regarded as valuable extensions of the home. In this context, Italian ceramics play an important role due to their ability to create durable, waterproof and frost-resistant paving solutions, pedestrian walkways and driveways, in many cases using 2 or 3 cm thick materials with excellent technical performance.

These emerging trends in contemporary architecture have redefined certain priorities while reaffirming the importance of Italian ceramics. Central to this success is the industry’s deep commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, values that combine environmental care with respect for human well-being and make Italian manufacturing truly unique on the global stage.