Recycled Ceramic Material Combines Relief With Acoustic Comfort

WOW Design has introduced Pizzicato, the first collection made with ECHO, a new recycled material developed for architectural and interior applications. Designed by Summumstudio, the collection explores how recovered ceramic content, surface relief, light and sound can be brought together within one modular system.

Recycled Content And Material Properties

ECHO contains 90% recycled material. This consists of 51% recovered ceramic material from WOW Design’s production process and 39% other recycled components. These materials are returned to the production cycle and used to create a new type of surface.

The name ECHO refers to ‘ecology’ and ‘acoustic’. According to the manufacturer, the material’s composition and surface relief can contribute to acoustic comfort.

ECHO is also described as hydrophobic, stain-resistant, thermally insulating and flexible. These properties may make it suitable for various architectural and interior applications. WOW Design developed the material technology in collaboration with CREAVALO.

Relief Inspired By Music

Pizzicato takes its name from the musical technique in which a string is plucked with the fingers. Summumstudio used this movement as the starting point for the collection’s surface patterns. The reliefs create changing shadows and variations in depth as light moves across them.

Combining Two Materials

The ECHO elements and porcelain pieces form a single modular system. Designers can combine smooth surfaces with more pronounced reliefs to produce different transitions, depths and repeated patterns. The system does not prescribe a fixed arrangement, allowing the pieces to be used in different configurations.

A shared colour palette connects the two materials. ECHO is available in Sand, Earth, Cypress and Navy. The porcelain pieces come in the same colours, with the addition of Cypress Light and Navy Light. Differences in texture and finish remain visible within the combined surface.

Pizzicato is the first collection developed with ECHO. WOW Design plans to use the material in further architectural products. The collection is expected to become available in early 2027.

News source: WOW Design