Nagomi and the vision of Hadi Teherani

Nagomi is a multifaceted project that encompasses a multitude of meanings, sensations, and stories, starting with the visionary mind that brought it to life: Hadi Teherani.

The German architect and designer has always stood out as a pioneer of eco-friendly architecture, with projects such as Germany’s first “green” railway station and the “Crane Houses” in Cologne. His holistic vision allows him to blend architecture, interior design, and product design, blurring their boundaries. The result is a collection that transcends conventional aesthetic standards to embrace a larger philosophical concept: the harmony of natural elements.

The name “Nagomi” derives from Japanese philosophy and evokes concepts of balance and serenity; it is a principle that the collection reflects in its design, production process, and interaction with space.

However, the value of Nagomi goes far beyond the idea that inspired it. By rethinking the concept of mosaics, the collection comprises tiles that offer a sensory experience. This is achieved through textures inspired by Zen culture, which invites us to live in harmony with reality and rediscover beauty in simplicity. For this reason, Nagomi draws on the five primary elements of nature, reinterpreting them in five mosaics: Sami, Riku, Miyu, Ami, and Kazuky, symbolizing water, wood, fire, metal, and earth, respectively.

Each of the five forms possesses a distinctive identity, but when combined with the others, it offers multiple compositional possibilities in perfect harmony with the space. The simple shapes simultaneously recall the linear textures of European architecture and organic elements, further emphasizing how artisanal expertise and the precision of modern industrial techniques can merge into a new language.

An additional value of the collection lies in its production process and the material chosen.

The latter consists of a ceramic mixture enriched with recycled glass powder, sourced from discarded TV and computer monitors. Furthermore, the creation of Nagomi tiles uses the casting technique, which combines industrial processes with human intervention.

These factors grant each tile its unique character in terms of light reflection and tone-on-tone nuances. Therefore, no two are alike, and it is precisely in these slight surface imperfections that their beauty resides. Nagomi teaches us that irregularity is part of life and what makes it so precious.

As Teherani explains: “No panel will be identical to another because irregularity is random everywhere, and this is what makes Nagomi so fascinating. Viewed from a distance, this new product will appear like a pixel. However, as you get closer, you can notice the small pixelated forms where the tiny details transform into a grand tableau.”

It is a dialogue between Europe and Asia, between man and nature, between detail and the whole, between tradition and innovation, with the awareness that, as Teherani also states: “We all share the same future, and we must ensure that the resources we have already used can be reused so as not to produce new ones.”

Despite its uniqueness, Nagomi is a versatile collection, designed to enrich walls and furnishing elements, perfectly adapting to both public and private spaces. Its connection to the concept of nature is also reflected in its application possibilities: Nagomi is suitable for furnishing damp environments or those in contact with water, such as pools or spas.

At Mirage, we are aware of the courage required to combine innovation with high-level design without sacrificing aesthetic beauty. This is only possible through collaborative efforts between architects, designers, and the dedication and know-how cultivated over more than 50 years of experience.

Nagomi represents our aspiration to offer design solutions that reflect the versatility and personality of artisanal production, typical of Italian ceramics. For this reason, we have decided to encapsulate our collaborations with high-level architects and designers in Atelier Mirage, a think tank that already hosts Glocal, our collaboration with one of the iconic designers of Italian style worldwide, Giulio Cappellini.