Column: Innovation in Porcelain – Hypertouch – When a Tile Becomes a Switch

There’s a moment when showing designers around our factories showroom when I say, “Touch the tile.” The designer hesitates… presses… and suddenly the door change from clear to opaque. That’s Hypertouch in action—and it’s where porcelain leaves the wall and becomes part of the user interface.

In short, Hypertouch is a hidden sensor embedded behind the Iris Ceramica slabs. You lightly press the surface, and it controls lights, doors, sound systems—whatever you wire it to. No buttons, no visible switches, just pure minimalism.

We have specified this material for an upcoming project in Mayfair. The client wants a completely clean wall behind the till – no plastic plates. Hypertouch lets us hide the tech behind a seamless slab of Calacatta-effect porcelain. The result? A retail experience that feels more like a gallery.

But beyond aesthetics, there’s real function here. In high-traffic hospitality or healthcare spaces, removing physical switches reduces cleaning points and infection risks. The tile surface itself can even be upgraded to ACTIVE Surfaces (discussed in my previous column), combining touch control with antibacterial photocatalytic technology.

For me, this is what innovation in surfaces looks like today. It is not about louder patterns, but smarter interaction. It’s subtle, elegant, and infinitely practical. I tell specifiers: you’re no longer just choosing finishes; you’re designing experiences.

And the best part? Clients love the reveal. When a tile controls the lights, it doesn’t just elevate the space – it elevates the brand.

Emilio Mudrak, Director of Mudrak & Sons