Bergeron Centre among Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition winners

Now in its 25th year, the Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition – the longest-running award program of its kind – is proud to announce seven outstanding projects that capture the competition’s goal of honoring the innovative use of Italian tile in North American architecture and design. Sponsored by Confindustria Ceramica (the Italian Association of Ceramics) and the Italian Trade Agency, the competition attracted a large number of high-quality submissions in four categories: residential, commercial, institutional for built projects; and a new student category, created to celebrate imaginative concepts using Italian tile. An international jury of design industry experts reviewed and evaluated the projects, ultimately selecting four winners and three honorable mentions among the steep competition.ZAS, Bergeron Centre, Ceramics of Italy

Among this year’s winners, Canada’s ZAS Architects + Interiors claimed the top prize in the ‘Institutional’ category for the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence at York University. Located in Toronto, the project features tiles by ABK, with setting materials by Mapei, and work overseen by contractor Gem Campbell Terrazzo & Tile Inc.ZAS, Bergeron Centre, Ceramics of Italy

For the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence at York University, the client wanted to demonstrate sustainable building practices, while utilizing the advantages of an existing campus energy system. The project has been registered with the CaGBC and has targeted LEED Gold certification along with Toronto Green Standard Tier 2.ZAS, Bergeron Centre, Ceramics of Italy

ABK Downtown tiles were used on the ground floor, throughout the corridors and in the social spaces with Mapei products completing the space as the setting materials. Tiles were also installed in assembly and exhibition spaces, as well as the student café and the orientation room. Although polished concrete was considered for the project, porcelain tile was chosen in the end due to its durability, low porosity and stain resistant properties.ZAS, Bergeron Centre, Ceramics of Italy

Italian tile provided a clean, simple and contemporary look for the Bergeron Centre, matching that of natural concrete but captured tonal and pattern variation achieved through the latest technology.

Other winners are listed below:

COMMERCIAL WINNER
Firm: Studio Libeskind
Project: Sapphire
Location: Berlin, Germany
Tile Manufacturer: Casalgrande Padana
Distributor: Casalgrande Padana
Contractor: Medicke Metallbau GmbH, NL Berlin
HONORABLE MENTION
Firm: Kay Green Design
Project: Venetian Isle Clubhouse
Location: Windermere, FL
Tile Manufacturer: Floor Gres, Ergon, Marca Corona
Distributor: Ceramic Technics
Contractor: Martin’s Flooring

RESIDENTIAL WINNER
Firm: Ziger/Snead Architects*
Project: Baltimore Slate House
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Tile Manufacturer: Imola Ceramica
Distributor: Conestoga Tile
Contractor: Custom Concepts by Greenwalt
Setting Materials: Mapei
HONORABLE MENTION
Firm: DI Group
Project: Norwich
Location: West Hollywood, CA
Tile Manufacturer: Refin
Distributor: DI Group
Contractor: Darmont Construction Corporation

INSTITUTIONAL HONORABLE MENTION
Firm: O’Brien & Keane
Project: Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Tile Manufacturer: Provenza, Ergon
Distributor: Architectural Ceramics
Contractor: David Allen Company
Setting Materials: Mapei
STUDENT WINNER
Entrant: Raquel Raney and Brennan Broome
University Name: Florida International University
Declared Major: Interior Architecture
Project: Dover Street Market
Location: Miami, FL
Tile Manufacturer: Atlas Concorde, Ceramica Vogue, Ornamenta