On Mallorca, an island in Spain’s Balearic chain, the Huguet family has been making encaustic cement tiles using the traditional hydraulic method since 1933. At that time, the colorful tile was at the height of its popularity, and myriad Mallorcan makers supplied tile to architects in Catalonia and Spain. Fast-forward through three generations of family ownership and a vastly different global market for tile, and today, Huguet continues to strictly adhere to age-old production methods while also embarking on creative collaborations with first-rate architects and designers the world over (past collaborators include Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, English architect David Chipperfield, Mallorcan fashion designer Sybilla Sorondo, and Swiss designer Alfredo Häberli). Let’s take a closer look at Huguet’s standard line and a few collaborations.
Photography courtesy of Huguet.
Because Huguet tiles are handmade, variations in color, thickness, and size are expected.
In addition to tiles, Huguet makes sinks, showers, stairs, and terrazzo furniture.
Herzog & de Meuron used Huguet tiles throughout their Museu Blau in Barcelona, and bespoke terrazzo and cement versions fill Soho House Barcelona.
For more Tiles from around the world, see:
- New from Fireclay: The Agrarian Recycled Tile Collection
- Everett & Blue: Vibrant, Hand-Painted Portuguese Tiles via the UK
- Terracotta Tiles with a Vintage Vibe from Clé in Sausalito
Have a Question or Comment About This Post?
Join the conversation