damián lópez's mediterránea reimagines artisanal zellige for handcrafted contemporary tiles

Damián López and Carlos Jiménez present Mediterránea

The Mediterránea collection presents a series of handcrafted zellige tiles, drawing on the charm of Hispano-Arabic architecture and its rich history dating back to over ten centuries ago. Designed by Damián López and Carlos Jiménez, the collection is shaped with a millenary artisanal technique, reimagined in contemporary expressions that explore forms found in nature. Some designs were based on plants and natural fibers such as line, rattan, pines, and canes, while others are directly inspired by the Alboran sea, or leather craftsmanship. The result is a collection that includes six different designs that can be configured in endless compositions across walls or floors.

Alboran – T07 | all images by Juan Antonio Partal

contemporary expressions of artisanal zellige mosaics

Inspired by traditional crafts and materials used in both Moroccan and Andalusian ways of living, Mediterránea evokes the vibrant hues and Islamic geometric motifs found across the walls of Alhambra. Damián López and Carlos Jiménez developed the collection for Spanish firm todobarro in collaboration with Aït Manos to re-envision artisanal expressions of zellige. todobarro specializes in the design and handcrafted production of terracotta tiles and glazed tiles, while Aït Manos is dedicated to the preservation of the traditional method of producing zellige.

Alboran – T06 | designed by Damián López and Carlos Jiménez with Aït Manos for todobarro

Alboran – T08 | the Mediterránea collection draws on the historic charm of Hispano-Arabic architecture

Lino – T01 | the collection is shaped with a millenary artisanal technique

Mimbre – T01 | abstract explorations of forms found in nature

Talabartero – T02 | six different designs can be configured in endless compositions across walls or floors

Piña – T02 | some designs were based on plants and natural fibers such as line, rattan, pines, and canes

Cañizo – T02

artisanal process

project info:

name: Mediterránea Collection
designers: LEBLUME (Damián López ), Carlos Jiménez

collaborators: todobarro, Aït Manos

photography: Juan Antonio Partal

video: Marinamluna 

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom