NEW YORK, NY -- Confindustria Ceramica (the Italian Association of Ceramics) and the Italian Trade Commission announce the official call for entries for the 2015 Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition. Now in its third decade, the annual awards program honors the work of North American architects and designers who create exceptional spaces using Italianceramicandporcelain tile. It celebrates the pairing of inspiring design ideas with products from leading manufacturers to create spaces that are well appointed, versatile, timeless and sustainable. Recent winners include Corgan Associates for Plaza of the Americas (located in Dallas, TX), MGA Partners for Morgan Hall at Temple University (located in Philadelphia, PA), and D.I Groupfor 355 Mansfield (located in Los Angeles, CA).

For its 22nd edition, North American-based architects and interior designers are invited to submit new or renovated, domestic and international projects in the institutional, residential and commercial/hospitality categories that have been completed between January 2010 and January 2015. From residences designed with decorative ceramics to corporate offices utilizing the energy-saving benefits of porcelain facades, Ceramics of Italy is looking for all types of projects using Italian ceramics. An international jury of design experts will evaluate the projects based on their creativity, functionality and aesthetic appeal, selecting one winner in each category. The official criterion for the jury includes overall design of the project, aesthetic and technical quality of tile installation, degree to which tile enhances the setting, and the project's sustainable attributes.

Winners will be announced at the Ceramics of Italy International Press Conference during Coverings in Orlando, Florida from April 14-17, 2015, where the winning architects and designers will be invited to present their projects. Each category winner will receive a cash prize of $4,000 plus a five-day trip to Bologna, Italy to explore the historic city and attend Cersaie -- the world's largest exhibition for ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings -- with a handpicked delegation of colleagues and design journalists from across North America. An additional $1,000 will be awarded to the winning contractor/tile distributor team in each category.

The Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition is completely digital and free to enter. The online application, guidelines and an inspiring archive of winning projects from the past 21 years are available on the competition's official website, www.tilecompetition.com. Deadline for entries is January 16, 2015.