florim recycles mount etna’s volcanic lava stone into small-format interior tiles

matteo thun & benedetto fasciana collaborate with florim and nerosicilia to turn volcanic waste into a tactile tile collection for conscious interior design.

lisa kostyra June 22, 2026 4 min

A ZERO-WASTE TRIBUTE TO MOUNT ETNA’S RAW ENERGY

Developed for ceramic surface brand Florim in collaboration with material specialists Nerosicilia, the SensiEtna collection recycles volcanic lava stone from Mount Etna as a structured architectural tile. Architects Matteo Thun and Benedetto Fasciana compose the series by blending native slab offcuts from Sicilian production facilities with recycled monitor glass. The choice of local, recovered material shapes a collection that balances striking natural aesthetics with a minimal environmental footprint.

florim recycles mount etna’s volcanic lava stone into small-format interior tiles - 1 — SensiEtna tile collection by Florim | all images courtesy of Florim

FLORIM AND NEROSICILIA UNITE OVER CIRCULAR DESIGN

To translate this wild volcanic energy into a contemporary design language, Florim partnered with Nerosicilia, an Italian company specialized in the expert processing of natural volcanic surfaces. Guided by Matteo Thun’s and Associate Director Benedetto Fasciana’s deep-rooted passion for craftsmanship and proportion, the collaboration embodies a shared dedication to simplicity, functionality, and timelessness. Together, the designers and brands have channeled their technical mastery to respect the identity of the land, turning raw volcanic materials into a sophisticated, conscious design solution for modern interiors.

florim recycles mount etna’s volcanic lava stone into small-format interior tiles - 2 — the collection recycles volcanic lava stone from Mount Etna into a structured architectural tile

SENSIETNA’S JOURNEY OF VOLCANIC TRANSFORMATION

The visual identity of SensiEtna relies on a play of light and reflection born from the interaction between the lava rock and recycled glass surface decorations. The color palette is directly inspired by the natural lifecycle of a volcanic eruption. Crisp white and ivory shades evoke the intense glow of molten lava at its extreme temperatures, while deep charcoal and black tones symbolize the solidified rock in its permanent, dense state. Intertwined with vibrant accents of yellow and dark red, the collection sets up a striking dialogue of opposites that brings unexpected depth, volume, and narrative power to interior spaces.

This visual transformation is further elevated by three distinct surface finishes — bugnato, crosta, and rigatino — each engineered to prioritize a rich tactile dimension over mere decoration. The bugnato finish delivers a sculpted irregularity that beautifully catches and reflects light; crosta offers a naturally rough, mineral texture reminiscent of the porous outer layer of the volcano; and rigatino provides a rhythmic, precise pattern for highly structured architectural layouts. By deliberately inviting touch, these finishes ensure that the physical, sensory experience becomes an essential pillar of the interior design.

florim recycles mount etna’s volcanic lava stone into small-format interior tiles - 3 — the tiles are produced in small-formats to minimize manufacturing waste

Emphasizing the mindful philosophy of the collection, SensiEtna is offered in smaller modular formats, including 10×40, 10×10, and 20×20 cm. Rather than representing a limitation, these sizes are a deliberate celebration of the precious, fragmented nature of the material. They are produced by recovering and processing smaller pieces from larger slab offcuts in a rigorous, waste-reducing manufacturing cycle. Every individual tile retains the authentic textures, natural imperfections, and enduring integrity of the native Sicilian stone, offering designers a responsible, powerful connection to the raw energy of the volcano.