Now in its 22nd year, the Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition – the longest-running award program of its kind – is proud to announce seven outstanding projects that wholly represent the competition’s goal of honouring commendable use of Italian tile in North American architecture and design. Sponsored by Confindustria Ceramica (the Italian Association of Ceramics) and the Italian Trade Commission, the competition attracted high-quality submissions in each of the three categories: Residential, Commercial and Institutional, Commercial and Residential.
An international jury of design industry experts reviewed and evaluated the projects, ultimately selecting three winners and four honorable mentions – including two that received special recognition for exterior cladding – among the steep competition.
The jury made this difficult selection under the following criteria: the creative and effective use of Italian tile; the overall quality of the installation; the aesthetic beauty and functionality of the design; the sustainable attributes of the overall project; and materials used.
The finalists were officially announced at Coverings in Orland last week, during the Ceramics of Italy international press conference. Winners received a prize of $4,000 as well as a five-day trip to Bologna to attend Cersaie (Sept. 28-Oct. 2, 2015) – the world’s largest exhibition of ceramic tile and sanitaryware – as part of a VIP delegation. Contractors and distributors involved in each project will also be celebrated.
INSTITUTIONAL WINNER
• Firm: Shinberg.Levinas Architects; Project: Carlos Rosario International Culinary School; Location: Washington, DC; Tile Manufacturer: Lea Ceramiche; Distributor: Atlantic Link; Contractor: Jud Tile
The Carlos Rosario International Culinary School is the newest addition to the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School – a non-profit organization that encourages its students to give back to the community. The design skillfully responds to the irregular shape of the site, which is orthogonal on the west end, and angles downward in the east, creating an architecturally compelling, angular exterior. The base of the building’s facade features Lea Ceramiche’s Slimtech tiles, lending a modern look while staying cost-effective. Slimtech is also used inside the building in the atrium, lobby, cafeteria and culinary classrooms, showing an exemplary adaptation of the same tile, both indoors and out. In keeping with the school’s mission to contribute positively to the surrounding community, this tile was selected specifically for its eco-sustainable qualities, consistent with the rest of the design which conserves energy and water.
COMMERCIAL WINNER
• Firm: RSP Architects; Project: Target Northern Campus; Location: Brooklyn Park, MN; Tile Manufacturer: Provenza, Casamood, Ceramiche Caesar; Distributor: Tile by Design, RBC Tile; Contractor: Grazzini Brothers & Company
The Target Northern Campus uses excellent design to foster a sense of community and creativity for its staff. Built as an expansion to the downtown campus, the project seeks to form a link with the surrounding landscape; the building features vast, open spaces, floor to ceiling windows, and encompasses a green outdoor space for the campus. Tiles from Ceramiche Caesar’s Nera Trapezio and E.motions collections – simulating wood and stone respectively – are featured throughout the space, contributing to the setting’s connection to the natural world. In order to create an accessible, communicative space – a necessary feature for America’s second largest discount retailer – the building features a 1,000-foot interior circulation path clad in Provenza’s Q-Stone collection. These neutral-toned tiles create a warm ambience juxtaposing the cold Minnesota climate and facilitating a productive and social business environment.
RESIDENTIAL WINNER
Firm: DKOR Interiors; Project: A Contemporary Moody Home; Location: Aventura, FL; Tile Manufacturer: Atlas Concorde; Distributor: Atlas Concorde; Contractor: Amazon Construction
Conceived under the concept of “pure modernism,” this simple, elegant Florida home demonstrates how strong an impression can be made with a minimalist design aesthetic. Atlas Concorde’s Sunrock Travertino gres porcelain tile is skillfully used in a variety of spaces throughout the home including bathrooms, bedrooms and hallways, creating a strong and elegant cohesion within the home. The versatile tiles differ in size, layout and functionality, adapting to each space while maintaining a sophisticated, contemporary ambience. Further contributing to the project’s modern vibe, the open, loft-like quality of each room and monochromatic palette are perfectly complemented by the tile, showing a strong relationship between the design and physical nature of the space itself.
ALL ABOUT CERAMICS OF ITALY
Ceramics of Italy is the trademark for Italian manufacturers of ceramic tiles, sanitaryware and tableware, that are members of Confindustria Ceramica. For more information on the ceramic tile sector, visit www.italiantiles.com
