Confindustria Ceramica (the Italian Association of Ceramics) has announced the winners of the 2025 Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition, which include two Canadian projects.
The 2025 edition of the competition follows the merger of two initiatives; the Design Competition in North America and Europe’s La Ceramica e il Progetto, which now operates in alternating cycles between continents. This year, the focus returned to North America, celebrating architect and design firms that demonstrate exemplary use of ceramic and porcelain tile from Ceramics of Italy member brands.
The competition spans three categories: Residential, Nonresidential and Design & New Applications. The international jury selected five winners and three honourable mentions as recipients of this year’s awards.
The jury was chaired by Louisa Hutton, architect and founder of the Berlin-based practice Sauerbruch Hutton, and includes Domitilla Dardi, historian and design curator at MAXXI in Rome; Luca Molinari, architect and professor of Architectural Theory and Design at the University of Campania; Steve Clem, principal at the Atlanta- and Tampa-based firm TVS; and Emilio Mussini, chairman of the Promotional Activities and Trade Fairs Commission of Confindustria Ceramica.
Projects were judged on overall design, sustainable attributes, the degree to which Italian tile enhances the setting, the amount of ceramic or porcelain tile from Ceramics of Italy member companies used throughout the project, and the quality of the tile installation.
The winning projects reflect the latest design directions and technological advancements in ceramic and porcelain tile, ranging from exterior cladding and ventilated facades to 3D textures, handcrafted aesthetics, bold colour palettes.
“As a juror, it was a pleasure to review and award some truly outstanding design submissions. I was inspired by the many ways these designers and architects embraced the extraordinary attributes of the Ceramics of Italy materials in the creation of their innovative solutions. All the winning projects are worthy of a visit to appreciate their beauty,” said Steve Clem, principal at TVS and competition juror.
The 2025 Tile Competition winners were announced during the Ceramics of Italy Press Conference at Coverings held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Each winning firm presented their projects in front of an audience of design and trade media, tile manufacturers, and industry professionals.
As part of their prize, winners will also receive an expense-paid, CEU-accredited trip to Cersaie, the leading international exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings, taking place in Bologna, Italy from September 22 to 26, 2025.
The two Canadian winning projects in the Residential category include the following.
House in the Hill by These Architects
House in the Hill, which is tucked into the wooded hillside of Ontario’s Fonthill Kame, is a reimagined residence that aims to reconnect the home with the surrounding Carolinian forest. Designed by These Architects, the new structure builds on the original foundation. Throughout all three levels, large-format Italian porcelain flooring from Emilceramica’s Tele di Marmo Reloaded collection unifies the living spaces, kitchens, hallways, and bathroom, while the brand’s Tele di Marmo Revolution series adds marble-look veining to the kitchen backsplash, island, and appliance garage. Marazzi’s Lume collection complements the kitchen walls and animates ensuite bathrooms throughout the home in hues of blue, green, and white, while the brand’s Essenziale White Flora 3D tile brings added texture to the gym bathroom, contrasted by Mirage’s stone-look Norr tiles on adjacent walls.
Living Lounge by Secter Architecture + Design
Living Lounge, which is nestled along the Assiniboine River, is a hotel-inspired bungalow that aims to blur the lines between indoor comfort and outdoor entertaining spaces. Designed by Canada-based firm Secter Architecture + Design, the residence centers on an open-plan living, dining, bar and lounge space, oriented to capture light during evening gatherings. Throughout the home, Mirage’s Glocal collection offers a clean, contemporary surface to the main entrance, laundry, and powder room floors, while the brand’s Quartziti line adds depth to the powder room walls. In the kitchen and dining areas, Laminam’s Pietra Grey porcelain surfaces are featured on the backsplash, buffet, island face, and countertops.
For more information, or to view the full list of winners, click here.
