Lava stone in interiors and exteriors: durability, aesthetics, and customization

 

Lava stone serves as a second skin for architecture. Whether used for floors, cladding, or facades, its versatility makes it ideal for both refined interiors and exteriors exposed to natural elements. Through collaborations with renowned architectural firms, Ranieri’s lava stone has been integrated into luxury residences, boutique hotels, and flagship stores, where it expresses itself through custom textures, colors, and finishes.

 

A prime example is the Twenty Old Bailey project, designed by Buckley Gray Yeoman, where lava stone was selected to pave the entire building. Its matte and textured finish enhances its tactile appeal, making it not just a walking surface but an architectural element that defines and enriches the space.

Durable and sophisticated surfaces for exterior spaces

 

Lava stone is naturally forged to withstand the elements, making it an excellent material for outdoor applications. One of the most notable examples of its use in outdoor furniture is the long-standing collaboration between Ranieri and Tribù, the Belgian brand renowned for luxury outdoor design.

 

For Tribù, Ranieri has crafted tabletops featuring glazed lava stone surfaces, seamlessly blending aesthetic refinement and technical resilience. These surfaces are resistant to sunlight, rain, and extreme temperatures, ensuring their beauty over time. The ability to customize colors and finishes has allowed Tribù to create tables that harmonize with various outdoor settings, from seaside terraces to elegant urban gardens.

 

This partnership demonstrates how lava stone can be a key player in sophisticated outdoor environments, offering an exclusive blend of durability, expressive depth, and a deep connection to nature.

Poolside surfaces, spa interiors, and luxury resort designs

 

Lava stone is increasingly used in swimming pools and wellness areas, where water and stone interact to create a natural and relaxing atmosphere. Its non-slip texture, resistance to chemical treatments, and adaptability to smaltatura (glazing) make it a premium material for pool edges, flooring, and interior cladding.

 

Several high-end resorts and private residences have integrated Ranieri’s lava stone into their pools, leveraging custom glazing techniques to achieve deep, luminous colors. The ability to combine matte natural stone with glossy ceramic-like finishes allows for striking contrasts, enhancing both the tactile and visual experience.

Worktops, islands, and surfaces that merge beauty and durability

 

In high-end kitchens, aesthetic appeal and technical performance must coexist. Lava stone’s heat resistance, durability, and ease of maintenance make it an ideal material for countertops, kitchen islands, and backsplashes.

 

A significant example is Ranieri’s collaboration with Bis Bis in New York, where a custom lava stone kitchen was designed to combine functionality with contemporary elegance. The deep, rich glaze of the worktops interacts beautifully with wooden cabinetry and brass details, creating a refined material dialogue.

 

This project showcases how lava stone can enhance both residential and commercial kitchens, offering a unique blend of natural durability and artistic customization.

Lava stone in hotels, restaurants, and bars

 

In luxury hospitality, every detail contributes to shaping the identity of a place. One of the most iconic examples of lava stone’s integration into hospitality design is the Four Seasons Surf Club in Miami, designed by Joseph Dirand.

 

At the heart of the main bar stands a majestic counter clad in green glazed lava tiles, crafted by Ranieri. The deep, vibrant color of the tiles, developed through meticulous chromatic research, echoes the lush tropical vegetation and ocean hues, establishing a seamless visual connection with the surrounding landscape.

 

Lava stone was chosen for its ability to add character and sophistication while ensuring durability and resistance to daily use. Each tile was hand-glazed and kiln-fired, creating a unique play of textures and light reflections, making the bar the central design statement of the space.

 

Joseph Dirand’s refined approach transforms lava stone into a sculptural element, where clean geometries, noble materials, and sophisticated color palettes create an atmosphere of timeless elegance.

 

 

Each project realized with Ranieri’s lava stone is an exploration of its potential applications— a continuous search that challenges the limits of material transformation.

 

Lava stone is versatile, durable, and rich in history, adapting seamlessly to diverse architectural and design contexts. Whether in a residential interior, a high-end outdoor setting, a luxurious hospitality space, or a contemporary kitchen, it becomes an expression of refined craftsmanship and material innovation.

 

This section is not just a collection of past projects but a testament to the limitless possibilities of lava stone in modern design—an invitation to explore, push boundaries, and envision new applications yet to be discovered.