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.

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.

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.

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.

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: