Commercial/Hospitality Winner - RMW Architecture & Interiors
During the 22nd edition of Coverings, Ceramic Tiles of Italy made two important announcements. At Ceramic Tiles of Italy’s International Press conference on Tuesday, March 15, representatives from the Italian ceramic tile industry announced the winners of the highly competitive 2011 Design Competition. Representatives from each winning project, as well as the distributors and contractors involved, were all on hand to accept the award and speak about the design. Later in the evening, at Ceramic Tiles of Italy’s annual Serata Italiana event, the association then honored Happy Floors as the recipient of the 2011 Confindustria Ceramica North American Distributor Award in front of a crowd of industry insiders.
The Ceramic Tiles of Italy Design Competition, sponsored by Confindustria Ceramica, the Association of Italian Ceramics and the Italian Trade Commission, showcases the work of North American architects and designers who use Italian tile in their projects. Winners and honorable mentions within each category are based on the project’s functionality, visual appeal, original use of tile and overall design.
Commercial/Hospitality Winner: RMW Architecture & Interiors
Project:Brocade CommunicationsTile Manufacturer:Caesar Ceramica
Contractor:DeAnza Tile and Reputable Tile
Distributor:SpecCeramics, Inc.
RMW designed a layout consisting of universal workspaces, presentation theaters and outdoor cafes. Receiving the ISO 14001 rating for their commitment to environmental sustainability, Caesar Ceramica’s “More” collection was chosen as the flooring in the lobby of all three buildings, inside the elevators and throughout the public spaces on each of the 18 floors. Throughout the Bladerunner Café, the floor and accent walls are tiled in “More” to provide an attractive, easily maintained surface in heavily trafficked areas.
Residential Winner - Belzberg Architects
Residential Winner: Belzberg Architects
Project:Kona ResidenceTile Manufacturer:Floor Gres
Contractor:DEM Construction
Distributor:Stone Source
For the Kona Residence in Kona, Hawaii, Belzberg Architects found inspiration in the nature surrounding the property. With the Hawaiian volcanic mountains to the east and the ocean’s horizon on the west, the natural elements helped to shape the geometric center of the home. Built in a series of pods throughout the property, the layout features two sleeping rooms with common areas, a media room, master suite and main living area.
A gallery corridor connects the two wings and becomes a focal feature for the home. Influenced by Hawaiian tradition, the entryway incorporates the local basket weaving culture in a large sculptural overlay that represents the traditional arrival gift of the island. Tiles from Floor Gres run throughout the home’s floors, giving a fluid look throughout the main living areas and onto the much-used outdoor space.
Institutional Winner - SNC Lavalin, Inc.
Institutional Winner: SNC Lavalin, Inc
Project:Canada Line - Rapid TransitTile Manufacturer:Casalgrande Padana SPA
Contractor:SNC Lavalin, Inc.
Distributor:Stone Tile
Installation Materials:MAPEI
Institutional winner SNC Lavalin, Inc. designed The Canada Line Subway with 16 new stations from the Vancouver International Airport to Olympic Village. The vast majority of stations (15 out of 16) feature Casalgrande Padana’s “Marte” collection, which was used on the floors, walls, platforms and all public access areas for their long-lasting durability. Each station was designed with a slightly different appearance to blend in with the surrounding neighborhood. From the Marte series, various colors were chosen for each station’s design in a matt, satin and bushammered finish.
Fougeron Architecture, GHA Design Studios and Hufft Projects were also awarded Honorable Mentions in the competition’s institutional, commercial and residential categories, respectively.
Vittorio Borelli (left), vice president of promotional activities for Confindustria Ceramica, and Franco Manfredini (right), chairman of Confindustria Ceramica, present the 2011 North American Distributor Award to James Nowicki of Happy Floors.
Ceramic Tiles of Italy will be exhibiting at AIA in New Orleans from May 12-14 (booth 3041) and ICFF in New York from May 14-17 (booth 1420). Please visit us at these shows or visit Italian Tilesto stay updated on products, projects and promotional activities.
