Céline Martinant
Crafting volcanic material
Name: Céline Martinant
Expertise: Matière volcanique
Founded: 2018
Studio integrated within the Andésite
workshops, founded in 1969
Based in: Mazayes, Auvergne (France)
Paris showroom: Adèle Collections
Awakening the depths and the primordial stone
In the Puy-de-Dôme, the artist-designer Céline Martinant invites millennia-old lava to a terrestrial rebirth.
Under her guidance, the stone from Ateliers Andésite’s quarries reconnects with its original structure to become
a sculptural mineral matter of rare, unique elegance—between controlled eruption and organic lace.
Through her concept © Un Air de Croûte Terrestre, she shapes surfaces and objects that
seem to emerge directly from the Earth’s mantle.
The Andésite legacy and the quest
for primal aesthetics
Céline Martinant’s journey is rooted in a fascination with the powerful landscapes of Auvergne. Captivated by the subtle nuances of the Chaîne des Puys lava flows, she pursued, during her studies at the École supérieure des métiers d’art d’Yzeure, an in-depth exploration of lava metamorphosis at extreme temperatures. Diverging from traditional lava glazing, her goal was to restore the stone’s raw, primal aspect—rendering the artist’s hand invisible to let the matter’s force speak.
Her encounter with Jean Sembel, head of Ateliers Andésite, opened a new chapter in the story of Auvergne lava quarries, which for over 50 years have been extracting the mineral soul from the depths.
In 2018, she established her creative laboratory within the workshops, leveraging this exceptional French volcanic expertise. There, she explores the geology of the material and the characteristics of three deposits—Volvic, Chambois, and Mont-Dore in a molten state—translating these into pieces and motifs through a return to fire.
Creative process:
From fire alchemy to croûte terrestre
Céline’s studio operates as a design office for close collaborations with clients,
from the first decorative concept to final delivery (feasibility, sampling, coordination).
For commissioned objects, bespoke projects, translating a designer’s idea into Croûte Terrestre, or her own creations,
Céline always begins with quarry immersion to select the precise block that can carry the emotion of a vision.
Her mastery of the matter allows her to read the stone and anticipate its reactions, highlighting the natural features of lava.
Texture, bubbles, and veins become aesthetic pillars—timeless witnesses of ancient eruptions,
delivering a strong, delicate, almost living result.
The stone is then cut, hand-sculpted, or hollowed by 3D machining before enduring the trial of fire.
Heated to extreme temperatures, the rock undergoes a transformation, regaining its primordial lava-flow
appearance from the dawn of time.
For this metamorphosis, Céline applies her lava glazes, which, after fusing in the kiln, reveal the natural, millennial hues of mountains
or oceanic abysses. This produces effects like Craquelé, reminiscent of rock powder at the quarry’s cutting face, Hélium,
almost gaseous, and Drapé, evoking the fluidity of solidified magma, in subtle tones from brown to black.
Lava fusion thus unveils unique mineral-organic textures.
With Croûte Terrestre Bleue, colors merge on the stone like watercolors, revealing metallic greens and blues
that recall the shifting reflections of volcanic seabeds or lagoons.
Reviving the history of lava,
giving it a contemporary identity,
and elevating it to luxury
matter status
Creations and horizons: From contemplative objects to interior architecture
Each sculptural volcanic stone object she creates is a unique
lava piece, a reminiscence of primordial fires.
This durable volcanic decorative matter offers infinite possibilities for high-end mineral interiors: pools, lighting, furniture, jars, lava walls, fireplace facades, indoor or outdoor cladding, pedestals, wall compositions, scenography and luxury retail decoration… all projects are conceivable, whether horizontal, vertical, 2D, or 3D.
Since 2018, Croûte Terrestre has adorned exceptional projects:
the Echo desk joined the Mobilier national and was interpreted as a bench
and lamp; the agency RDAI chose it for the reedition of René Dumas’ Robinson series (table and console); Erwan Boulloud commissioned Céline for the President’s desk tops; Valérie Rostaing for a fireplace facade and counter cladding; and Charlotte Besson Oberlin imagined a Double Sconce in volcanic matter. Céline also created the Cheire Noire series for Galerie La Lune.
These works demonstrate the atelier’s capacity to meet international luxury standards, for both large-scale projects and confidential interiors.
Since 2023, Adèle Collections has supported Céline Martinant, offering interior architects a first Parisian contact for bespoke projects.
Mazayes Atelier: Immersion and terrestrial poetry
Nestled at the foot of the volcanoes, the atelier welcomes architects and designers by appointment
to touch quarry matter and explore the possibilities of contemporary lava. Here, the encounter
between this design lava stone and bold, terrestrial-inspired projects unfolds.
LEARN MORE
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Croûte Terrestre Bleue?
It is an exclusive signature of the atelier. Unlike a uniform color, it is worked like a fusing watercolor, creating deep gradients and metallic reflections evoking marine and abyssal landscapes.
Are there limits in terms of dimensions?
For Croûte Terrestre surfaces, the atelier has no size limitations. Machining, however, requires careful planning: the atelier can assemble modules for large pieces or installations.
What architectural applications are possible for Céline’s Croûte Terrestre?
This unique matter is one of the rare natural luxury materials capable of permanent immersion without alteration. Applications include pools, basins, consoles, headboards, counters, walls, lighting… The atelier advises clients on all projects.
Lead times?
It depends on project scope; timelines are communicated during feasibility studies. For example, a façade or counter project typically requires about two months.
How to experience the matter?
Contact Céline Martinant via her website or Instagram. She also welcomes visits at the atelier, with appointments available in Paris through Adèle Collections.
Photo and Project Credits
Earth’s Blue Crust – ©Céline Martinant • Céline Martinant Portrait – ©Scopika • Céline Martinant Portrait – ©Nicolas Anglade • Cheire Noire Collection – ©La Lune Galerie • Lava Jars, Paris Design Week, 2024 – ©Céline Martinant • Jean Sembel & Céline Martinant Portrait – ©Scopika • Seismic Balance Artwork, Vulcania, 2024 – ©Céline Martinant • Céline Martinant Portrait – ©Nicolas Anglade • Lava Wall – ©Galerie Paradis • Table Base, Saint James Project, Valérie Rostaing, 2025 – ©Edouard Auffray & Sefer • Bench, Echo Collection, 2025, Céline Martinant – ©Galerie Paradis • Wall Light, Charlotte Besson, Galerie Anne Jacquemin Sablon, 2025 – ©Anne Jacquemin Sablon • President’s Desk, Erwan Boulloud, 2025 – ©Stéphane Briolant • Lava Jar No.9, 2026, Céline Martinant – ©J. Damaze • Desk 1/5, Echo Collection, Mobilier National, 2022 – ©Isabelle Bideau • Surface Effect – ©Nicolas Anglade • Babylone Tabletop, Eric Schmitt, 2022 – ©Carpenters Gallery • Confidential Project – ©Céline Martinant • Andesite Workshop – ©Scopika
A specific project? Let’s talk
Every project deserves individual attention. Whether it’s a custom development, a specific project,
or a request for samples, contact us to share your project, your constraints, or your inspirations.
We would be delighted to discuss with you and connect you with Céline Martinant.