A home designed by architect Riez Zoltán in Üröm, a small municipality with a population of around 8,000 in the province of Pest, near Hungary’s capital, features two Italian brands of ceramic tiles. However, before looking at the details of the ceramic materials, let’s explore the building itself.
The house stands out for its slender, contemporary lines that create a sense of elegance and simplicity, while its vibrant white façade contrasts beautifully with the surrounding hectare of greenery. The structure extends over two staggered floors: the ground floor houses the communal living spaces, including a spacious living room, a library and study, a dining area, and a kitchen, all seamlessly integrated, while the upper floor is devoted to the sleeping quarters. Large sliding windows open onto the garden and onto the expansive first-floor terrace, maximising the use of natural light and enhancing the interior design elements.
Ceramic tiles play a central role in defining the home’s aesthetic. The architect, a partner at Designboom studio, explains that porcelain stoneware was chosen for its versatility. Available in a wide range of colours, sizes, textures and thicknesses, it adds both elegance and warmth to the living spaces. For instance, 120×120 cm slabs in the Light shade from Lea Ceramiche’s Concreto collection designed by Fabio Novembre were chosen for the spacious kitchen. Inspired by concrete, the iconic material of modernist architecture, these tiles create a vibrant contrast with the perforated wood used for the kitchen cabinetry.
The Concreto collection is also used in several of the ensuite bathrooms. In one bathroom, large-format Slimtech slabs with a thickness of just 6 mm are used on the walls, alternating between the Light and Rust colours to create an elegant interplay of industrial-style shades. In another bathroom, Concreto Light slabs are paired with the Medium colour variant, brightening the space and creating a calming, serene atmosphere. In the sauna area, the Concreto Light concrete-effect tiles chosen for the floor blend seamlessly with the Bio Select wood-effect tiles in the Oak Natural version used on the walls. Outside, large-format ceramic slabs are also used on the walkway surrounding the house.
Riez Zoltán comments: “We chose the Lea Ceramiche slabs not only for their contemporary aesthetics and striking design, but also for their outstanding technical performance. The choice of different size and thickness options – both traditional (9.5 mm) and thin (6 mm) – was essential in achieving the desired look for the interiors. Additionally, the material’s durability and ease of maintenance, together with the incorporation of the Protect® silver ion antibacterial shield, ensured maximum hygiene, making the slabs particularly suitable for spaces such as the kitchen and bathrooms.”
Another Italian ceramic brand, Panaria Ceramica, also played a significant role in the project. For the floors and walls of a third bathroom, Riez Zoltán selected the Blade collection, an ultra-thin (3.5 mm) wall tile that combines the elegance of large slabs with the unique allure of metallic surfaces. This laminated porcelain stoneware draws inspiration from the natural oxidation of metals to create warm tones and luminous accents. The Oxide colour (100×100 cm) was chosen for the floor, while the walls feature a combination of 50×100 cm Blade Oxide slabs and 100×300 cm Blade Essence slabs, also treated with Protect® antibacterial technology.
