From April 9 to May 24, 2026, Iris Ceramica Group participated in Home decoration 2026 transforming the former deconsecrated chapel inside the historic palace at Calle San Agustín 11, in Madrid’s Barrio de las Letras, into a space where historical memory and contemporary design coexist in careful balance. Now in its 61st edition, Casa Decor is among Europe’s leading platforms for architecture, interior design and decorative arts, annually inviting international designers and studios to reinterpret a historic building in the Spanish capital through immersive site-specific installations and environments.
For this year’s edition, the Iris Ceramica Group commissioned the interior designer Raul Martins to create The silent chapela sophisticated restaurant created in the building’s former chapel. The project creates a dialogue between the strong historical identity of the space and the restrained language of the contemporary ceramic surfaces, treated simultaneously as an architectural and decorative material.
Iris Ceramica Group, The Silent Chapel, Casa Decor 2026 © Javier Ceres
Iris Ceramica Group, The Silent Chapel, Casa Decor 2026 © Nacho Uribesalazar
Iris Ceramica Group, The Silent Chapel, Casa Decor 2026 © Nacho Uribesalazar
Iris Ceramica Group, The Silent Chapel, Casa Decor 2026 © Nacho Uribesalazar
Iris Ceramica Group, The Silent Chapel, Casa Decor 2026 © Javier Ceres
Iris Ceramica Group, The Silent Chapel, Casa Decor 2026 © Nacho Uribesalazar
Iris Ceramica Group, The Silent Chapel, Casa Decor 2026 © Nacho Uribesalazar
Iris Ceramica Group, The Silent Chapel, Casa Decor 2026 © Javier Ceres
Iris Ceramica Group, The Silent Chapel, Casa Decor 2026 © Nacho Uribesalazar
Iris Ceramica Group – The Silent Chapel:
Iris Ceramica Group reimagines a historic chapel
The building that houses Casa Decor was originally constructed between 1892 and 1895 as the residence of the Marquises of Los Vélez and the Counts of Niebla, following the architectural language of Madrid’s aristocratic residences of the period. In 1926 the palace was converted into a school and monastery, while the former coach stables became a place of worship. Today, the deconsecrated chapel still retains the charm of its Spanish Neo-Renaissance character, enhanced by the original skylight that floods the interior with natural light and enhances its intimate atmosphere.
Raul Martins approaches the project with restraint, allowing the existing architecture to breathe while layering contemporary materials without altering the building’s identity. Iris Ceramica GroupThe ceramic surfaces introduce a renewed material expression without overpowering the historical elements, instead creating a carefully calibrated dialogue with the floors, columns, walls and fireplace. The concept combines classic references with contemporary sensibilities through mosaic-inspired flooring, geometric patterns, perspective effects and mix-and-match compositions that flow naturally throughout the space.
Within The silent chapelceramics take on the role of a custom architectural skin. Floors, columns, fireplaces, tables, shelves and bespoke furniture were custom designed in collaboration with Mogno Woodsthe Galician woodworking company specializing in handmade timber solutions. The result is a cohesive sequence of material elements that combine ceramic surfaces with handcrafted woodwork, from shelving and storage units to bespoke furniture and the reception desk, creating a sophisticated language where technical precision meets aural richness.
The octagonal table: A monumental ceramic centerpiece
At the center of the restaurant, just below the historic skylight, is the most theatrical element of the project: a monumental octagonal table that immediately commands attention through its sculptural presence and material purity. Illuminated by a cone of natural light that enhances its visual effect, the table becomes the focal point of the entire space.
Entirely lined with large-sized white selenite ceramic plates with a thickness of 6 mm, the piece perfectly embodies the concept of ceramics as “custom clothingThe material was cut, shaped and fitted around a large central tree that rises from the middle of the table and appears to stretch towards the chapel’s glazed ceiling. Every side of the octagon has been solved with remarkable precision, from the table top to the vertical lining and the finely crafted edges and corners, turning the no-ceramic surface into a one-sided ceramic surface.
Light filtering from above enhances the Jewel finish of the selenite surface, highlighting the crystalline reflections and depth of the laminate. Inspired by the natural stone from which it takes its name, Selenite features a luminous, translucent texture composed of delicate crystalline layers that create changing visual effects throughout the day. The surface captures and reflects light with subtle intensity, giving the material a vibrant, ever-changing quality that enhances the immersive character of the interior.
Alongside its aesthetic research, the project also incorporates subtle yet highly sophisticated technology. The table incorporates the Hypercharge system in each of the eight seating positions, allowing guests to wirelessly charge their devices via induction technology. The system remains completely invisible, maintaining the visual continuity and typical purity of the ceramic surface while seamlessly incorporating modern functionality into the design.
A customized approach to ceramics
Beyond The silent chapelthe surfaces of the Iris Ceramica Group also appear in other spaces of Casa Decor 2026, contributing to a wider narrative articulated through different design languages and architectural contexts. in “Orbit and Matter”, designed by Rebelta Domecq for ITA – Italian Trade Agency, Sapienstone Fior di Viola surfaces define the material palette of the floors and furniture, while Alpi Chiaro Venato Polished by Fiandre and Onice Rosa Polished by FMG Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti enhance the immersive quality of the interiors.
In the kitchen installation “Architecture of taste”, designed by Mar Gausachs for Bauhaus, Fior di Viola 4D Cashmere and Marsala Red Natural transform the counter and sink into bold architectural elements. Cano y Escario Architecture for Mapei, Breccia Imperiale Natural clads both the center table and interior walls, creating continuity between horizontal and vertical surfaces, while Patagonia slabs from FMG Marble and Granite Factory they introduce rhythmic variations without disturbing the compositional balance of the work.
Through its intervention at Casa Decor 2026, the Iris Ceramica Group confirms the exploration of ceramics as an architectural material capable of working in different scales, functions and design languages. From architectural surfaces to bespoke furniture, the project presents ceramics as a material capable of dressing space with precision, tactility and contemporary character, establishing a continuous dialogue between history and innovation.
