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The collaboration between Icona and Sansone, was born from the desire to expand beyond traditional references. Moving away from the familiar Sicilian imagery and the classic “cementina”, the aim was to create a wall and floor tile collection that offered a new visual language.Icona therefore designed an innovative, original collection rooted in Milanese identity, reinterpreting tradition through a contemporary lens, and a bespoke approach. The concept stemmed from the observation of our city, drawing inspiration and suggestions from the architects who have marked its history and character. Drawing from the architecture and design of the rationalist Milan, the project blends formal elegance and quality craftsmanship, offering a refined and versatile solution suited to modern environments
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In tune with the authoritative statements of masters as Gio Ponti and Portaluppi, the project explores the refined detail of curvature, a protagonist in Icona's formal research. The result is a harmonious balance between linearity and softness, conferring fluidity and refinement to the interiors. The cement mortar, extremely ductile and versatile, allowed maximum creative freedom, resulting in a custom-made product enhanced by vibrant, fresh and elegant nuances. The color palette, in line with Icona’s signature, adopts tones of deep burgundy, navy blue, warm grays and beige.
Titled Sessanta, the collection, like all handcrafted cement tiles, is realized, using a cold process that does not require firing, reducing CO₂ emissions. Made from natural raw materials - cement, sand, marble dust and mineral pigments - the tiles are free from harmful chemicals. The production process is manual and kilometer-zero, it supports local economies and enhances craftsmanship. Durable and fully recyclable, these tiles can be polished and regenerated over time without needing replacement. All this makes Sessanta collection a completely authentic and environmentally sustainable product.
Sessanta collection is more than just a cladding—it’s an aesthetic manifesto. It is a tribute to design, where refined geometries, bold colors and expert craftsmanship intertwine to give life to surfaces capable of enhancing environments with a strong, authentic and distinctive personality.
The visual language of the Sessanta collection draws from the discreet charm and subtle poetry of Milan’s rooftops and façades The soft curves of terracotta roof tiles, rounded profiles of old window frames, exposed bricks and the rational clarity of urban architecture are abstracted into graphic signs, stylized features of an elegant and fluid composition.
Straight and curved lines alternate in a harmonious dance, composing patterns reminiscent of metropolitan architectural glimpses: sharp, but never rigid; soft, but never banal. In the 20x20 cementine format, these patterns dialogue with each other, creating continuous and vibrant surfaces, rich in rhythm and variety.
Color also plays a leading role: warm, saturated and enveloping tones chase each other, giving the claddings an intense and sophisticated light. The result is a cladding that not only decorates, but also defines the space, transforming it into a visual tale of elegance, memory and modernity.
“This collection is a celebration of identity, design, and heritage—an encounter between Northern rigor and Southern savoir-faire. As Sansone, a family company in its third generation of artisanal expertise, we are proud to see our tradition resonate with architects and designers who work with the finest materials. Knowing that our craft continues to inspire and evolve through meaningful collaborations like this one is a source of deep pride.”
Icona Architetti Associati is an architecture and design studio founded in Milan in 2013 by the duo Marco Orto and Federica Poggio. Heirs to the modern lesson of the Italian masters of the 20th century and aware of the suggestions of the contemporary, Icona claims an immersive and humanistic approach to design. Their work always originates from a dialogue: human and sensory, with people and contexts. Icona embraces a wide range of operational scales, from master plan to product design, thanks to a vast network of collaborators. Materials are given a central role: this is the idea of “Icona Touch,” a multisensory concept in which optical and haptic come together in a single experience. The axiom of fluidity is also part of Icona’s fundamentals. The ability to modulate space according to seasons and functions is the method used to create flexible eco-systems. Fluidity that, together with the curved line, symbolizes the true signature of Icona Associated Architects.
