As part of its commitment to placing sustainable architecture in the public spotlight, Ceramic Tiles of Italy will be a prominent contributor to this year’s Green Builder ReVISION House. Presented during the International Builder’s Show from January 12-15, 2011 in a private Orlando, FL residence, the project will showcase green building materials in a complete retrofit renovation led by Interior Designer Patricia Gaylor. Sponsored by the Italian Trade Commission, Confindustria Ceramica (the Italian Association of Ceramics) and the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, the house will be filled with sustainable ceramic tile from Italy’s leading manufacturers including Casa Dolce Casa, Emilceramica, Floorgres, Cooperativa Ceramica Imola, Marazzi, Ragno, Refin and Trend, as well as grouting and adhesives from MAPEI.

“When searching for products that provide real, environmentally appropriate, cost-effective solutions, Italian tile was a natural choice for the project,” notes Ceramic Tiles of Italy. Adding, “Italian companies also employ responsible manufacturing practices and often recycle material and water waste back into the production cycle. In addition to its inherently green attributes, Italian manufacturers are patenting ceramics with an antimicrobial mineral embedded into the body of the tile, producing LEED-compliant collections made with recycled content, engineering energy-saving systems for ventilated wall facades and manufacturing tiles with photovoltaic modules.”  

Franco Manfredini, president of Confindustria Ceramica comments, “Green is in our DNA. Our manufacturers are organized in industrial districts and are directly involved in the responsible management of their territory. They have direct control on the environmental and social impact of their manufacturing operations and on the local trade of their products.”

Aniello Musella, trade commissioner, executive director for the USA, Italian Trade Commission, adds, “We are proud to partner with Green Builder Media who is a leader in promoting sustainable living in America. ReVISION, in particular, is an important case study of an energy-saving, renovation project and appropriate for today’s economy.”

After exploring Ceramic Tiles of Italy’s numerous eco-friendly collections, the design team chose products from nine different Italian manufacturers. “This project really opened my eyes to the rich world of Italian tile. I was delighted to find so many well-designed, sustainable and versatile collections, says project designer Patricia Gaylor. “I used it both indoors and out,” she adds.

Ragno’s “Textile” collection will run throughout the main areas of the home while a black tile from Floorgres’ “EcoTech” line will cover the rear patio. Emilceramica’s “Alabastro,” a classic collection reintroduced in a new sustainably slim 5mm format, will be featured in the laundry room while the wood looks of the “Golden Oak” collection will be used in the breakfast room. Complementing the feminine atmosphere typical of a powder room, Casa Dolce Casa’s leather-looking “Cuoio” tile in a Cognac hue was chosen. Ceramic tiles from Marazzi and Refin’s Stone Leader, produced using 40% pre-consumer recycled material, will bring the look of natural stone to the front and rear guest bathrooms, respectively. Imola’s Carrara marble-inspired tiles will be installed in the master bathroom. “I envisioned marble in the bath and was delighted to find an Italian porcelain tile that offered this look. It is a large format tile, 20”x40”, that is only 5mm thick. Since it is thinner, it is going to quicker and easier to install…a major plus for renovations!” comments Gaylor. For a pop of color, Trend’s mosaic “VBS Collection” (Vitreo, Brillante and Shining), which contains up to 30% post-industrial recycled glass, will be used for the kitchen backsplash. Finally, with more than 110 LEED-compliant products, MAPEI was the “go-to choice for the grouts and adhesives needed for the project,” according to the Italian organizations.

IBS attendees will be able to take house tours (January 12-15, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily) and learn directly from the design team ways to incorporate sustainable practices into their projects using ceramic tiles. Transportation will be provided directly from the Orange County Convention Center. Green Builder Media is also partnering with the Department of Energy, Building America, Energy Star, and FLASH to execute energy, water, hurricane protection, and general sustainability testing and modeling on the home. There will be a white paper energy analysis provided at the end of the project as well as an accredited seminar on Green Builder’s website discussing the product selection.