Live from HIX: Up close to Parkside’s new zero waste tile

the organic shapes and natural matrials of the criaterra tile collection by parkside
730 565 Pauline Brettell
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Live from HIX: Up close to Parkside’s new zero waste tile

Made from 100 per cent natural materials, Criaterra tiles are a new addition to the Parkside portfolio. We thought we  would get up close and personal on stand 52A and find out a little more about the design and production process… 

the organic shapes and natural matrials of the criaterra tile collection by parkside

Earlier this year, Parkside unveiled the Criaterra tiles, a new collection of 100 per cent natural, ‘zero waste’ wall tiles. And we have waited until now to get our hands on them. Fortunately for us, and those visiting the Business Design Centre this week, the team at Parkside have them on display on their stand.

Made from stone powders, clays and plant fibres cast in three-dimensional patterns that fuse geometric and organic forms, and available in colours derived from natural pigments, Criaterra is a unique decorative wall tile that challenges the conventions of production and design. Being 100 percent biodegradable, as strong as concrete and with six times the thermal resistance, Criaterra takes a bold step towards product circularity. The practicality of the tile, and its environmental credentials, along with its unique forms and natural palette, make it an exciting addition to the Parkside tile portfolio.

“We’re hugely excited to welcome Criaterra into our portfolio as it makes inroads in tackling the environmental challenges we face as an industry,” commented Brian Linnington, managing director, Parkside. “The tile’s ability to deliver performance as well as 100 percent product circularity is hugely impressive, but it is also incredibly beautiful to look at. Already gracing commercial interiors in EMEA, we’re looking forward to seeing how UK projects make use of the unique geo-organic forms and thoughtful natural palette.”

It’s not just about the material, but also how the tiles are made, and Criaterra have been developed with a 90 percent energy saving in production against ceramics, and using up to 70 percent upcycled quarry waste material, the tiles use Advanced Earth Technology, the result of an intensive five-year scientific R&D project. This innovative technology re-engineers the way tiles are manufactured and introduces a fully regenerative product, as well as replacing conventional high temperature firing with a low temperature process that reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

natural materials and colours along with organic shapes of the criaterra tiles

Image credit: Parkside / Criaterra Studio

Criaterra is available in eight geometric shapes which can be organised into limitless combinations in Quad or arranged through the irregular hexagon and concave form of Hex to reference the shape’s common occurrence in the natural world. A nine-strong palette of clay like tones, from pale Dolomit through to Onyx and Ruby, give a strong ‘from earth’ feel, making Criaterra well-suited to commercial interiors heavily influenced by natural materials. The square, rectangular and rhombus flat shapes of Quad also ground the tile well in more ordered contemporary schemes.

contemporary work surface and chairs with wood surfaces and criaterra tiles

Image credit: Parkside / Gidon Levin

Suitable for internal decorative wall use only and designed to work best without grout, Criaterra is a natural alternative to mass produced ceramic tiles.

Parkside, which won Best in British Product Design at The Brit List Awards 2020, is one of our recommended suppliers and regularly feature in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

Main image credit: Parkside / Criaterra Studio

Pauline Brettell / 18.11.2021

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