Architects and Designers honored by Ceramics of Italy - winners announced for the 2012 awards

Don't you love the appeal of tile?
The myriad choices being introduced 
into the market these days is stunning
and allows designers and architects to work their magic like never before...


these tiles were introduced at the 2011 Cersaie exhibit
Bologna, Italy
photographs courtesy of Interior Design magazine

check out My Pinterest Tile board
for links and sources of each photograph.  
Tile is durable, clean and 
shows an incredible amount of craftsmanship.  
To me, it adds lots of value to a home. 

check out some pretty tile work 

on my most recent design project:  

 a Park Avenue master bathroom

Have you heard about the Ceramics of Italy tile competition? 
I love to see a celebration of
 talented architects and designers,
and each year
Ceramics Of Italy
awards those in the industry who use
quality products in creative and sustainable fashions.  If you don't already know Ceramics of Italy, they are the trademark for Italian manufacturers of ceramic tiles, sanitary ware and tableware who are members of Confindustria Ceramica.  Check out this year's competition for architects and designers.  For the past 19 years the event has been sponsored and broken into three categories ­– Residential, Commercial/Hospitality and Institutional. 


The 2012 winners have just been announced in each category.  
It is exciting to note that the winning architects and designers are awarded a hefty prize -- $4,000, plus a five-day trip to Bologna, Italy to attend Cersaie 2012, which is the premier international exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings. Ceramics of Italy will also award $1,000 to the contractors and distributors involved in each winning project.  

Take a look at this year's winners:
Residential Winner:
Fractal Construction, LLC Project: Gramercy Townhouse New York CityTile manuf: Sant’Agostino Contractor: Ross Lee Renovations Distributor: Nemo Tile

Fractal Construction’s design philosophy focused on intricate detailing, innovative material selection, and weaving traditional styles with contemporary design. With its grand bones and patrician façade, the 1848 New York City townhouse offered challenges in making an old structure modern and livable while maintaining and honoring the historical framework. To accommodate a new open floor plan, Fractal Construction used 2’x2’ grey porcelain tiles by Sant’Agostino to give the townhouse a sleek and clean look throughout.

Honoroable mention:
The Cooper Residence designed by Anna Marie Fanelli, co-owner and designer at Floor & Decor, Using elegant and eco-friendly porcelain tiles from four different Italian companies – Cotto d’Este, Novabell, La Fabbrica and Lea – Fanelli transformed a 4,000 square foot space in Trump Plaza into a tile couture showcase.

Commercial/Hospitality Winner

 Leo A Daly

Project: Union Square 999 Washington, DC
Tile Manufacturer: Lea Ceramiche

Contractors: R Bratti Assoc, Diamond Tile & Sandia Ceramics

The renovation of Union Square 999 by Leo A Daly’s Washington D.C. office has two buildings comprising over 600,000 sq feet of government office space.  It is a LEED silver certified project and features three innovative tile collections from Lea Ceramiche. Simtech Basaltina Stone Project, a versatile collection of super slim porcelain tiles. The firm also chose the LEED-compliant collections Tecnoquartz and Stonehenge for the floors of the bathroom and fitness room showers to create a striking, modern space.

Honorable Mention:
RSP Architects was mentioned for the Software Headquarters Facility. The rapidly growing software company, located on a beautiful property in the Western suburbs of Minneapolis, wanted a sleek, clean, modern design for the corporate interiors. Aiming for LEED Gold certification, the architects chose “Ecotech” by Floorgres for its recycled content as well as its texture, color and availability in large formats. The tiles were used extensively throughout the large space.

Institutional Winner

RSP Architects

Project: Musical Instrument Museum Phoenix, AZ

Tile Manufacturer: Ceramiche Caesar and Lea Ceramiche Contractor: Ryan Companies

Distributor: RBC Tile and Stone

The Musical Instrument Museum by RSP Architects is the world’s first museum devoted to musical instruments from around the world.  The Phoenix project employs tile in a way that reflects the theme of the venue. The firm needed a material that was both beautiful and durable for the main circulation space. They chose Italian tile for its warmth and texture, which gracefully connects the theater, galleries and courtyards. The variety of tile sizes also allowed them to continue the rhythm established throughout the interior and architectural elements.


Honorable Mention:
Bogdan Newman Caranci, Inc. was mentioned for the Institutional category for the Bradford West Gwillimbury Library and Cultural Center in Ontario. Designed to meet LEED Silver certification, the firm chose Italian tile for its high quality, elegant appearance, recycled content and cost efficiency. Mirage “Stone 2.0” tiles in two different sizes were used to create a random running bond pattern throughout the space.

Follow Italian Tiles in other places:
www.italiantiles.com
Ceramic Tiles on Facebook
Tiles of Italy on Twitter

please stop back often 

because there are 

lots of goodies in May....

May is a busy month for me and in the design industry:  

I will be attending ICFF, Blogfest, IFDA's Circle of Excellence Awards and I will be reporting from the design lounge during Spring Market Week at the D&D building, and I will be sponsored on two trips:  one to Brimfield by Robert Allen Fabrics and the other a road trip to Anne Selke's in Great Barrington.  In addition, this coming Thursday Poggenpohl will be hosting our culinary dinner group's French Country dinner in their Eric Ripert kitchen in NYC.  

Stay tuned 

I'll be certain to report back on all of it!!