TileNews 11/03 - Ceramic Tiles of Italy

WWW.ITALTRADE.COM
PUBLISHED BY THE
WWW.ITALYTILE.COM
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION - CERAMIC TILE DEPARTMENT IN COOPERATION WITH ASSOPIASTRELLE
Fall 2003
Mosaics
Mosaics by
by Bisazza,
Bisazza, fixtures
fixtures by
by Dornbracht
Dornbracht and
and designed
designed by
by David
David Ling.
Ling.
IA TS HAO LW-IS TAO PNP E R TATI KLBEI S
Carol Helms - designed by Ben Lloyd
Italian tile wowed the crowd at the Design Idea
Center at The National Kitchen & Bath
Association’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show
(KBIS), held in Orlando this past April. NKBA
reports that over 10,000 visitors came through the
Design Idea Center. With strong representation by
Ceramic Tiles of Italy in three different exhibits,
and sponsored in part by the Ceramic Tile
Department of the Italian Trade Commission,
Italian tile played a lead role in these innovative
spaces.
A vibrant indoor-outdoor cooking loggia –
designed by Ben Lloyd and produced with Carol
Helms – commanded attention with the inclusion
of tiles by Trend, Ceramiche di Treviso and
Ceramiche di Provenza, as well as grout by Mapei.
Their design integrated the superior performance
and beauty of tile into backsplash, countertop and
floor, showing tile’s versatility as a surfacing
solution. Visitors were inspired by the colorful play
of Trend’s Glamour series through Artistic Tile,
contrasting with Provenza’s charcoal gray Cosmo
on the countertop and floor. Following the theme
of an indoor-outdoor living space there was the
unique addition of a freestanding fireplace. Its
surround was treated with a mosaic-like
application of Ceramiche di Treviso tile in three
shape and color variations. Mapei’s adhesives and
grouts brought it all together to create an effortless
effect.
More inspiration was in store in a multifunction setting produced by “Women’s Day
Specials Kitchens and Baths” and designed by
interior designer John Buscarello. Shades of blue
defined the bathroom, with Floor Gres porcelain
wall tile and Caesar’s terrazzo-like porcelain
Kristal on the floor. Gracing the shower floor was a
mosaic in blue glass done in Cerasarda’s Veneto
Glass tiles through Stone Source. The indoor
kitchen was designed with color in mind as well,
with Art Color’s hand-formed and hand-glazed
tiles creating a checkerboard backsplash in three
contrasting colors. An outdoor kitchen delighted
visitors with a checkerboard backsplash in yellow,
orange and two shades of blue done in a frostproof Floor Gres porcelain. The counter
demonstrated further design innovation with its
surface set in Floor Gres Colorlands series 12” x
24” planks. Once again, adhesives and grout by
Mapei brought a pleasing cohesiveness to the
project.
The gleaming glass mosaic tiles of Bisazza
made an impression in a soothing bathroom
installation designed by well-known interior
designer David Ling and produced by Elana
Frankel. KBIS visitors were treated to Bisazza’s
glimmering mosaics on both wall and floor, while
agglomerate slabs were fabricated into both
countertop and sink.
Enhancing the overall
stunning look of the room were fixtures by
Dornbracht. (Cover Photo)
All those who contributed their creativity and
hard work to these exciting installations were
rewarded by the positive reaction of the many KBIS
visitors exploring the exhibits. The projects were
all featured in HGTV Coverage. Needless to say,
Ceramic Tiles of Italy was pleased to have
collaborated with such innovative talent.
“Women’s Day Specials Kitchens and Baths” designed by John Buscarello, photgraphed by Gridley & Graves.
Di SIENA “ardesia nero”
DEL CONCA “Cervinia”
EMIL CERAMICA
“laccam”
CERAMIC TILES OF ITALY
SETS HIGH PRIORITY ON
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Recognizing the importance of professional
training and education to the ongoing growth and
vitality of the tile industry, the Italian Trade
Commission and Assopiastrelle collaborated on a
series of seminars this spring and summer that
reached architects, designers, distributors and tile
installers across the country.
Seminars at Coverings in March started off the
series. These well-attended seminars dealt with
such issues as distribution trends, exterior
cladding, raised flooring, and the state of the
industry.
Following Coverings, seminars were
organized in: Miami, San Diego, Phoenix, New
York and Washington, D.C.
Miami Design District - MIAMI, FL
The design-forward Miami Design District
played host to the traveling IMade® Exhibit –
sponsored by the Italian Trade Commission – and
served as a venue for the panel discussion: “IMade® Ways of Producing: Italian Creativity and
Design”, moderated by Beth Dunlop, Architecture
critic for the “Miami Herald”, with Dr. Roberto
Luongo, Trade Commissioner, Executive Director
for the USA; Massimo Iosa Ghini, world-renowned
Italian designer; and modernist architect Michael
P. Johnson, Principal, Michael P. Johnson Design
Studio. This seminar investigated the means by
which Italian products are made and how they are
specified in the United States and around the
world.
Following the IMade® seminar was “Exterior
Cladding in America- Decorative and Technical
Innovations”, moderated by Lourdes Solera,
President Elect, AIA Miami, with presentations by
Arturo Mastelli, President of AM&M and former
president of Imola Marketing & Services, Michael
P. Johnson, Principal, Michael P. Johnson Design
Studio, and Peter Gordo, Principal, HNTP
Architects Engineers. This discussion explored the
use of exterior cladding in Europe and its potential
as an effective design and technical application in
America.
AIA Convention – SAN DIEGO, CA
The Research Library, PHOENIX, AZ
At the AIA Convention Arturo Mastelli
presented a highlighted version of the Exterior
Cladding seminar, while Michael P. Johnson
presented “Italian Design and the American
Landscape”, with a look at Italian tile and design’s
influence past, present, and future on American
residential design. In addition, Alessandro Tenaglia
of the Centro Ceramica in Bologna presented a
seminar entitled “Indoor Air Quality”.
In early June, Michael P. Johnson, on his home
turf in Phoenix, Arizona, and Arturo Mastelli
joined a group of prominent Arizona architects
and designers at the Research Library in Phoenix to
participate in a seminar on “Exterior Cladding and
the Italian influence on American Design”.
IMade® – NEW YORK, NY
In early July, “Tradition and Innovation in
Italian Architecture and Design” took place in
connection with the IMade® exhibit’s opening in
Washington at the IMF. Hosted by the Italian
Embassy, with opening remarks by the Ambassador
of Italy H.E. Sergio Vento, this seminar was
moderated by Ellen Lupton, Curator at the Cooper
Hewitt – National Design Museum. Participating in
this well-attended panel discussion were
distinguished architects Piero Sartogo and Hani
Rashid, and renowned industrial designer Karim
Rashid.
In May, IMade® traveled to New York with a
show at the DIA:Chelsea. This well-attended
seminar,
entitled
“Italian
Contribution
to
Innovation”, took place under the auspices of The
Italian Trade Commission with the collaboration of
various Italian trade associations, including
Assopiastrelle. In this seminar, moderated by
Joseph Giovannini of “Architectural Digest”,
design mavericks Karim and Hani Rashid and
exhibit curator and “Domus” editor Frida Doveil
addressed an audience on the enduring influence
of Italian design.
Later in the month, the Italians hosted an
encore presentation of “Exterior Cladding and
Raised Flooring”, again calling on Michael P.
Johnson and Arturo Mastelli to address a group of
New York architects at the Italian Trade
Commission’s 67th Street offices.
Dr. Roberto Luongo, Trade Commissioner, and
Executive Director for the United States, said about
the New York seminars, “We were delighted to
present IMade® in New York. The technological
focus of the exhibition provided an interesting look
at Italian design from a manufacturing point of
view. Our goal was to show the capabilities and
innovative production techniques used by Italian
manufacturers. The panel discussions provided an
opportunity for architects and designers to hear
about the practical applications of Italian design
products from a group of experts.”
Arts Society of the International
Monetary Fund, Washington, D.C.
The Arts Society of the International Monetary
fund hosted an event at the end of July to coincide
with the closing of the Washington. D.C. run of
“iMade® Ways of Producing”. Participating in the
evening panel discussion – with welcoming
remarks by Professor Pier Carlo Padoan, Executive
Director at the IMF for Albania, Greece, Italy,
Malta, Portugal, San Marino and Timor-Leste – was
Denis Santachiara, internationally known artist and
designer and Arturo Mastelli. Mr. Santachiara gave
a talk on “Technology and Italian Design”, and
Arturo Mastelli presented “Exterior Cladding in
America – Decorative and Technical Innovations”.
LEA “fractal”
GOLD MEDAL GOES TO CERAMIC TILES OF ITALY -
C O V E R I N G S
Italian Embassy in the United States,
Washington,D.C.
E X H I B I T
Award-winning exhibit designer Mitchell Mauk talents have once again reaped gold. In 2001, the Maukdesigned Ceramic Tiles of Italy booths at both the AIA Convention and Cersaie received the booth design
industry’s coveted “Exhibitor Magazine” Award – one gold and one silver. Now, “Exhibitor Magazine” has
just announced that Mauk’s design for Ceramic Tiles of Italy at Coverings has won one of three gold medal
awards for 2002 trade-show exhibits. This prestigious award is one more testament to the powerful synergy
between great design and Italian ceramic tile.
LEA “progetto14”
COTTO VENETO “Echi D'Oriente”
C
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UNDER NEW SHOW
MANAGEMENT
Assopiastrelle, the Association of Italian Ceramic
Tile and Refectory Manufacturers, is pleased to
announce that Coverings, the World's Largest
Exposition and Conference for Ceramic Tile and
Natural Stone, is now under new show management.
National Trade Productions, or NTP, is in its 27th
year and is a leader in the production, management
and marketing of trade expositions, conferences and
special events. NTP’s extensive background in a
variety of industries is sure to be a positive asset for
the future of Coverings, and by extension, the future of
Italian tile in the American market. According to Mr.
Enzo Mularoni, President of Coverings, Vice-President
and Chairman of the Promotional Committee and
Trade Fairs of Assopiastrelle, ”The 150 Italian firms
which take part in the show consider Coverings the
most important opportunity to reach the American
market. The 27,000 people who visited the exhibition
last March (and we believe they will be more next
year) are the most qualified confirmation of this fact”.
The five sponsoring organizations of Coverings
have announced the following goals for Coverings
2004: 1) increase attendance from the designer and
architectural community; 2) increase the number of
retailers in attendance; 3) decrease exhibitor costs; 4)
reduce number of conference sessions while
increasing resources for the sessions; 5) increase
hands-on demonstrations on the show floor; 6) and
increase attendance from the West Coast.
The Italian tile industry stands behind Coverings –
and NTP – with full support and confidence. The
many Italian firms that exhibit at Coverings are
optimistic about continued growth opportunities in
North America, and know that the success of
Coverings is vital to that growth.
For more information please visit
www.coverings.com.
Coverings, Orlando Florida
March 23 - 26, 2004
SICIS
CERSAIE
2003
A Positive Turnout, a Banner Year
Despite a slowdown in the global economy,
Cersaie, the world’s largest exhibition of ceramic tile
and bathroom furnishings, had a huge turnout, with
the nearly 1.5 million sq. foot Bologna exhibition
center entirely sold out. The 2003 edition, which
took place from 30 September - 5 October, hosted
1,038 exhibitors, with more than 97,000 industry
professionals in attendance. The halls were packed
with nearly 25,000 international professionals
(buyers, contractors, designers and architects) from
all five continents.
International Press
More than 150 journalists took part in the
International Press Conference, which focused on the
theme of internationalization of Italian industry and
the key strategies for consolidating the position of
Italian products in various world markets. The
American delegation of journalists was the largest-todate including close to twenty editors from design
and shelter magazines. At the International Press
Conference, Sergio Sassi, Chairman of Assopiastrelle,
commented, ”Although the world marketplace is
changed, Italy remains the leading producer country
in the sector. Due to our innovative content and
enormous variety, Italian products are sold and
highly esteemed all over the world and are
considered synonymous with taste, style and
quality.”
The Cultural Component
CERSAIE 2003 included a design symposium
entitled ”Markitecture - Value in Architecture” organized by Assopiastrelle and BolognaFiere in
conjunction with SAIE, the international exhibition of
building technology, which ran in Bologna from
October 15 - 19, 2003. Markitecture focused on
Bologna as a cultural center for architecture and
design and the Bologna Fairgrounds as a center for
commercial and professional innovation in the world
of construction. Show organizers presented three
innovative exhibits on museum design, curated by
Martina Corgnati… past, present and future that
featured projects from around the world. Also part of
the program were lectures by Odil Decq, the popular
French architect, currently working on a new
museum of contemporary art in Rome, and the studio
of Jean Nouvel, an architectural studio renown for its
innovative use of lighting. As Sergio Sassi, chairman
of Assopiastrelle, commented, ”Architecture is a
powerful catalyst capable of driving demand for
goods and ultimately the economy as a whole. It is
no coincidence that it should be Bologna – and the
Emilia Romagna region in general – that is promoting
this new initiative. The region has a strong tradition
in up-market manufacturing and at the same time is
renowned for its high quality of living, aspects that
have made it renown amongst sophisticated
consumers the world over.”
A sister exhibit to Markitecture, entitled ”Aria
Acqua Fuoco Terra” (”Air, Water, Fire and Earth”),
curated by Vittoria Coen of the International Ceramic
Museum in Faenza, highlighted the work of ceramic
artists from the avant-garde of the twentieth century
to today, including Fausto Melotti, Lucio Fontana,
Arman, and Ontani. Visitors to Cersaie could also
view an entirely different era in the ceramic arts at
the Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche in Faenza.
”The Golden Age of Maiolica; Italian Ceramics from
the XV to the XVI Century” from the Collections of
the Hermitage Museum exhibited a rich display of
125 ceramic masterpieces from the Italian
Renaissance, shown for the first time outside of
Russia.
More items on Bologna’s cultural landscape were
on view at the Galleria di Arte Moderna, with student
work from the Domus Academy’s ”Exercises in
Architecture” Seminar, which grew out of last year’s
Involucri project. The exhibition, promoted by
Assopiastrelle and Domus Academy, featured
seventeen of the finest projects generated by the fiftytwo progressive young architects and designers who
had participated in the seminar. Under the guidance
of some of the most highly regarded figures in
contemporary architecture and design, including
Massimo Iosa Ghini, Hani Rashid, Andrea Branzi,
Dante Donegani, and Giovanni Lauda, these projects
highlighted not only the aesthetic and structural
function of tile, but also the innovative role tile can
play in urban design and residential remodeling, as
well as the relationship between public and domestic
space. The students presented fresh ideas that
included new systems of ceramic cladding,
innovative
ceramic
elements
for
landscape
architecture, and tiles that changed color based on
environmental stimuli.
On a festive note, Giorgio Squinzi was the host of
a special MAPEI event during Cersaie. MAPEI invited
their customers and friends from around the world to
an elegant dinner at the Palazzo Dei Congressi
followed by a rousing concert by American music
legend Paul Anka.
A Brand New Image
Cersaie 2003 had a new image, as internationally
renowned designer Denis Santachiara joined Ettore
Sottsass (2000), Alessandro Mendini (2001), and
Massimo Iosa Ghini (2002) in the roster of design
luminaries who have lent their unique vision to the
show. The 2003 poster embraced CERSAIE’s
philosophy of marrying traditionalism with cuttingedge design.
Cersaie 2004 will take place in the Bolgona
Fairgrounds from September 28 to October 3, 2004.
For more information visit www.cersaie.it or
www.italiatiles.com Ceramic Tiles of Italy, promoted
by Assopiastrelle (Association of Italian Ceramic Tile
and Refractory Manufacturers), is a trademark of
Edi.Cer SpA.
Cersaie 2004 • Sept. 28 - Oct. 3, 2004
NAXOS “Wall Art”
CERAMGRES “palladium”
BRUNELLESCHI “Tonos”
VIETRO EXPORT “Saraceno”
CERAMIC TILES OF ITALY
DESIGN COMPETITION 2004
CALL FOR ENTRIES
The Italian ceramic tile industry is pleased to
announce the 11th edition of the Ceramic Tiles of Italy
Design Competition.
This annual awards program,
sponsored by Assopiastrelle, the Association of Italian
Ceramic Tile Manufacturers, and the Italian Trade
Commission, recognizes design excellence in projects
that feature Italian ceramic tile.
North American
architects and interior designers are invited to submit
residential, commercial, or institutional projects.
A jury of design professionals will judge projects on
their creative attributes as well as how the tiles meet their
functional and technical requirements. Submissions from
three categories – residential, institutional, and
commercial – may be entered for consideration, and
winners in each category will receive a cash prize of
$5,000, a trip to Coverings 2004 (March 23-26 Orlando,
FL) and be eligible for a trip to CERSAIE 2004, to be held
in Bologna, Italy. Sept. 28 - Oct. 3, 2004.
Competition Rules
All applicants must submit a minimum of 3 different
photographs of each project, as well as a brief project
description including the location (city & country),
description of the installation, client’s name, Italian
manufacturers featured, local distributors and installers
involved, product series names and formats utilized, and
project completion date. This year, in recognition of
sustainable design’s increasing significance to the
professional community, designers and architects will
also have the opportunity to describe any sustainable
architectural detailing. Entries may be submitted for
domestic and international new construction and
renovation projects completed between January 1999
and January 2004. Completed submissions must be
received no later than January 30, 2004.
The Italian industry is now in the process of putting
together a book entitled Ten Years of Design Excellence:
Ceramic Tiles of Italy Across America that will celebrate
the diversity and excellence of the projects that have
been selected over the last decade. Previous award
recipients include: Richard Fleischman Architects (2003),
Swanke Hayden Connell (2003), KA, Inc. (2002),
Waddell+ Associates (2002), Michael P. Johnson (2001),
Mojo Stumer (2001), Anthony Belluschi Architects
(2000), One Dream Design (1999), TVS & Associates
(1998), Hirsch-Bedner (1997), Arquitectonica (1996),
Stanley Tigerman (1995), and Barbara Lazaroff (1994).
Interested applicants can visit
www.italiatiles.com or www.italytile.com for
complete guidelines and to see previous award
winning projects.
For more information, contact
Novità Communications,
T: 718-783-3160, F: 718-398-2591,
e-mail: [email protected].
C
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;
AN EVOLVING DESIGN MEDIUM
1950/2000 Theater of Italian Creativity, which
opened October 10 at the Gallery at the Dia Center in
Manhattan, shined a bright spotlight on ceramic tile’s
place in the history of design. The exhibit was curated
by the renown Italian architect Gae Aulenti, and
produced under the auspices of the Italian Trade
Commission and their project Italia: Life in I Style.
Life in I Style is part of a three-year effort to promote
and celebrate the Italian lifestyle. With a multidisciplinary approach to Italian artistic sensibilities,
viewers had a chance to time travel through Italian
creativity, strolling through a stage of images and
sound, documents and scenes from films, artwork and
daily household appliances, marble and silver, ceramic
tiles and high-tech fabrics.
Visitors left with a
heightened sense of what the Italian design world has
achieved over the past fifty years, from highly refined
and rare objet d’art to everyday objects.
The show features tiles designed by high profile and
influential designers and architects - illustrating the
importance of ceramic tile through the second half of
the 20th Century. Some examples from the late 1950s
and early ‘60s include renowned architect, designer
and Domus magazine founder Gio Ponti’s leaf
silhouettes on a white background, and avant-garde
artist Lucio Fontana’s houndstooth check tile for
Gabbianelli. Other stellar artistic figures who created
tile in the ‘50s and ‘60s and whose work is represented
in the show are ceramicist Pompeo Pianezzola, with a
geometric pattern from the late 1960s for Appiani;
designer Antonia Campi, with a play of half-circles for
the manufacturer Richard Ginori; and renowned
designer and Memphis founder Ettore Sottsass, with an
optical black/white pattern for Cedit.
Designers in the 1970s and ‘80s continued to
consider tile as a creative medium. In the early
seventies, Gae Aulenti designed a number of tiles.
Other names involved in tile design in that time period
were Antonio Pucci and Giancarlo Gariboldi, to name
a few. A beautiful example of tile design in the 1980s
is a blue and white wave pattern – La Bastula –
designed by Paolo Portoghese.
Through the 1990s and into this decade, tile design
continues to draw talents who have made names for
themselves in other areas of design. Judging from the
show, we can look
forward
to
more
innovation
in
the
decades to come.
Italia: Life in I style
concentrates on three
areas: Abitare (home),
Filmare (cinema), and
Moda (fashion), and
encompasses cultural
and
commercial
events celebrating the
fine craftsmanship of
Italian products and
the power of its
industries.
GRAZIA
”TEN YEARS OF
D E S I G N
EXCELLENCE”
”CERAMIC TILES IN
URBAN DESIGN”
CERAMIC TILES OF ITALY TO PUBLISH
TEN
YEARS
OF
DESIGN
BOOK
EXCELLENCE; CERAMIC TILES OF ITALY
ACROSS AMERICA
While anticipating the upcoming Ceramic
Tiles of Italy Design Competition 2004, the
Italian tile industry will also be delving into
the recent past. 2003 marked the tenth year
anniversary of the competition, and to
commemorate the anniversary, Assopiastrelle
and the Italian Trade Commission are
publishing a book highlighting ten years of
excellence in design with tile. The book,
designed by New York-based design firm
mrd, will include full-color photos and text
by Jen Renzi, a senior editor at ”Interior
Design Magazine”. It will be available for
the first time at Coverings 2004, with images
from the book on display during the
exhibition in Orlando.
CERAMIC TILES OF ITALY KEEPS TILE
PROFILE HIGH WITH THE PUBLICATION
OF ”CERAMIC TILES IN URBAN DESIGN”
”Ceramic Tiles in Urban Design”, a
manual aimed at urban planners, was
recently released by Ceramic Tiles of Italy.
The manual is aimed at architects and other
professionals involved in designing and
remodeling cities. The aesthetic and
technical qualities of ceramic tiles are
discussed, with emphasis on how these
qualities meet the needs of urban spaces. It
contains basic guidelines for the design and
implementation of ceramic tile floors and
façades. Included are concrete case studies
of tile applications that demonstrate how
these hi-tech products can combine beauty
and aesthetic excellence with superior
performance and durability.
VIVA “Silohuette”
TREND
The Italian Ceramic Tile producers
have had a busy year – launching new
collections alive with color and texture.
At both Coverings and CERSAIE, Italian
tile manufacturers rolled out products
that set trends throughout the design
world. Alongside the classic ”natural
stone and rustic” looks and a general
tendency
towards
minimalism,
a
number of new looks are gaining
ground. The following is a look at some
of the trends spotted at both shows blue.
SAICIS “Bigolo Misto”
popular Progetto 14 series, while
SAICIS’s vivid Bigolo, is an eye-popping
series whose glossy surface begs to be
touched. Other color-forward notables
are FAP’s Vision, ART COLOR’s
Dripping and VIVA’s Sucre.
The Return of Color
Stylized geometric and optical
interpretations are being combined with
eye-catching colors, creating a standout
retro look that makes a contemporary
style statement. While bold color
predominates, many manufacturers
show a toned down palette of warm
browns and blues.
Mixed Media/New Surface
finishes
BARDELLI “Ultime Notizie”
At Cersaie, CERAMICA PINTO
inspired by ethnic rug designs presented
a colorful Mediterranean interpretation
of this beautiful art form, while
CERAMICHE MUSA showed an intricate
black on black pattern using matte and
gloss treatments to create high contrast.
BARDELLI’s Ultime Notizie brings us
the Latest News with Italian design icon
Fornasetti’s quirky combination of
colorful butterflies set against a pattern
attests to that. EMILCERAMICA blended
subtle colorations with stronger-hued
insets with Il Cotto del Vignola, while
GARDENIA ORCHIDEA’s Cattedrale is a
standout with its soft color variations.
Geostone by EDIMAX has a refined
beauty, with tile pieces in varied hues
filling the grout lines, while
CERAMICHE CANDIA’s Magna Grecia
has paired a classic tumbled marble
look with romantic landscapes silkscreened onto the tile. Porcelain’s
enduring beauty is also sublimely
represented in PROVENZA’s Stories, LA
FAENZA’s Graniti, OMEGA’s I Legni,
PISA’s Umbriae, and RICCHETTI’s
Graal.
Already recognized as highly
versatile, ceramic tiles are being
cleverly combined with other materials
such as platinum, steel, glass, aluminum
and wood. These materials are either
incorporated directly into the tiles or
used as inserts or trims to create
iridescent and shimmering effects.
Experimenting with finishes, the
Italians showed satin and matte finishes
alongside glossy surfaces. Many tiles
have textural surfaces inspired by
nature, and milky glass surfaces created
using new techniques.
At ASCOT, designers fused glass
sheets on textured tile surfaces in the
Optical series. BRIX’s 24%, an
innovative crystal glass series, featured
sunken LED lights to dazzling effect.
BARDELLI presented large numbered art
pieces captured in glass by design icons
Ruben Toledo and Piero Fornasetti,
while COGIR GLASS presents the
intricately patterned Formelle Astro.
SICIS mixed mosaics from three of their
other popular collections to create the
stunning patterns in Glass 3. STUDIO
EFFE launched the jewel-like Venturina
line.
manufacturers’
offerings.
LA
FABBRICA’s Loft series brings together
large format square tiles with linear,
metallic-accented inserts, while FLOOR
GRES’s Area has a subtle surface that
invites touch. ATLAS CONCORDE adds
warmth with a fawn-hued tile in its
Lounge series, accented with small,
texturized rectangular and square
inserts. Distressed and scratched effects
enhance the cement-look with Seria
Metallica by GAMBARELLI, in which an
added metallic patina enhances the
surface. CERAMICHE REX’s Concreate
combines understated large-format tiles
with playful metallic inserts and
oxidized looking multi-hued rectangle
MARAZZI “I Sigilli”
Opposing Trends in Sizes
Trends in tile sizes are moving in
two very different directions. Floor tiles
are becoming increasingly larger and
are shown with medallions and border
designs. Countering that trend, meshmounted mosaics continue to grow in
popularity, with manufacturers showing
new collections that mix glass, motherof-pearl, wood, and porcelain.
Manufacturers continue to play with the
popular ”subway-style” format, with the
rectangle getting longer and thinner, as
well as chunkier and shorter - offering
designers a wide range of sizes and
shapes with which to work. Modular
sizes and rectified edges are available in
many of the new lines.
Earthy Porcelain Shades
This year, many manufacturers
showed coal gray slate looks – often
accented with Asian motifs and rich
blue accents. Examples included:
CERDOMUS, CERAMICA DI SIENA’s
Arabesca, MAGICA’s Amarcord and Uti
& Inni. ATLAS CONCORDE presented
Trekking, a new rustic porcelain series
accented with cutout half-moon
metallic inserts.
Italian style can be cutting-edge, but
it equally celebrates the classic. The
timeless look of traditional porcelain tile
PINTO “Pavimento”
CERAMICHE CANDIA “Magna Grecia”
inserts in a small scale. REFIN’s Artech,
with its puzzle-like textured inserts, and
Artech 2, with its gorgeous rectangular
inserts reminiscent of mother-of-pearl,
have an almost iridescent surface
overall. Other cement-look stunners
include: ALFA’s Petra, AURELIA’s Le
Cave di Aurelia, and DEL CONCA’s J’A.
Contrary to their inspiration, these
products are anything but cold.
MAESTRI MAJOLICARI
FAP “Gardening Carrara”
of black & white newspaper clippings.
COTTO VENETO’s Ninfee is a pop art
take on the water lily. KRONOS’
Immagine features tonal and textural
stripes in vivid blues - while MARCA
CORONA launched Game, a collection
of confetti-like tiles paired with textural
brights. LEA has shown Bar Code and
Fractal, new textural patterns for their
SAICIS “Tira molia”
COTTO VENETO “ninfee”
Di TREVISO “sayonara”
Contemporary Cement-looks
Cement looks continue to play a
cutting edge role in contemporary tile
design, running the gamut from
seductively smooth surfaces to
distressed and worked textures. Again,
inserts play a large part in many
Textural Treasures/Impressive
Imprints
Textured tiles continue to exert great
influence on current design trends.
CERAMICHE DI PROVENZA brings a
naturalistic yet artful look to its Avallone
line from the workshop of Gennaro
Avallone, a renowned designer and
DS 2003
By NOVITÀ Communications
craftsman whose stuccowork technique
gives a new level of interest to textural
tile. Neutral and intense shades of
white and black act as a counterpoint to
the relief patterns: stylized floral motifs,
Moorish-influenced patterns, and
repeated geometric shapes and ethnic
symbols. MARAZZI’s I Sigilli contrasts
warm white and chocolate brown, with
marble/stone machinery. Granito
Ceramico can also be used for
countertops, stairs, shelves, and a
variety of wall applications, and is
offered in a wide range of colors in
polished, honed, or unpolished surfaces.
FAENZA “moro new”
ECO “pittori”
imprinted tile borders playing off the
scratched and distressed cement-look of
the larger tiles.
LEONARDO
CERAMICA’s Materia GI demonstrates
the timeless effect of textured tile paired
with porcelain in the classic terra-cotta
color. Other offerings include SENIO’s
Synthesis, and C.A.P.R.I’s Optical Onda.
Clearly textured and imprinted tile
continues to hold a fascination for both
the tile designer and the buying public.
a surface that resembles weathered
brickwork and sculptural cast concrete.
Inserts with imprints and textures add
interest to large fields of tile, such as in
ELIOS CERAMICA’s Le Cave, with its
abstract and ethnic motifs, and
PASTORELLI’s Block 40, with its subtly
The Strength of Tradition
Decorative patterns and handdecorated trim pieces are back in style.
Within this trend there is a focus on
unusual colors and traditional majolica
patterns. The hexagon also has a
comeback. Companies producing these
looks are: MAESTRI MAIOLICARI,
CERAMICA DI SIENA, and ECO’s Ville
Romane and Dimore.
Countertop Revolution
MIRAGE showed additional shapes
for its Granito Ceramico, an exciting
new development in countertop and
flooring material. Literally ”ceramic
granite”, this patented material
combines the durability of vitrified
stoneware with the luster and natural
look of real granite. Its large format
slabs can be fabricated using traditional
CERDISA “Marmo Antico”
Ecological Innovations
The Italian ceramic tile industry is
committed to sustainability. Many of
the Italian producers have received
certification for production methods that
are energy efficient. Current practices
help Italian producers to offer products
to the market that are sustainable and
responsibly manufactured.
One
company that has pushed the ”Green”
envelope is GAMBARELLI. At Cersaie,
GAMBARELLI introduced Oxygena, an
innovative new porcelain tile that will
actually cut down on pollution. When
ultraviolet rays hit Oxygena’s surface,
titanium
dioxide,
which
has
photocatalytic qualities, activates an
oxidization process that then transforms
polluting gases such as nitric oxide and
nitrogen dioxide into nitrate ions that
are harmless, eco-efficient salts. This
totally eco-friendly process is similar to
photosynthesis, whereby plants absorb
carbon dioxide and release oxygen, thus
purifying the atmosphere. Clearly, this is
REX CERAMICHE “Concreate”
SPRING/SUMMER
COTTO VENETO
“Luci D'Oriente”
a revolutionary approach for exterior
cladding.
These rich and varied offerings
illustrate the commitment Italian tile
manufacturers have to both technical
and aesthetic innovation. At the heart
of Italian design is the desire to bring
excellence, beauty and functionality to
the world at large. As seen from these
examples, this philosophy clearly thrives
in the field of Italian tile.
For more information, visit the two Italian
tile industry sites www.italiatiles.com or
www.italytile.com - or to learn more about
Cersaie 2003, the next chance to see the
latest trends from Italy, visit www.cersaie.it.
Novità Communications is the PR firm of
Assopiastrelle in the United States.
SICIS
PROVENZA “Abalone”
R E A D E R
S E R V I C E
C A R D
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BUYER’S GUIDE, a directory of major Italian
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PERSONNEL :
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Officer are available to assist you with tile
projects, product searches and technical
questions. Design - Marc Littell
cool elegance of the space by specifying an 18” x 18” Italian
ceramic tile by CAESAR CERAMICA in a matte finish for the
elevator lobbies, cyber café, corridors, break-out and food
service areas. These state-of-the-art large-format tiles in
charcoal and diamond unify all of the design elements in the
space.
Reuters America, photo by Tom Crane
Assopiastrelle, the Association of Ceramic Tile and
Refractory Manufacturers, in cooperation with the Italian
Trade Commission, is pleased to announce the following
winners of the Ceramic Tiles of Italy Design Competition
2003: the New York City firm of Swanke Hayden Connell as
interior architects for the Headquarters of Reuters America,
Inc. in New York, and Richard Fleishman + Partners
Head Start Facility, photo by Eric Hanson
Richard Fleischman + Partners Architects, Inc.
In designing the Head Start facility in Cleveland OH, Richard
Fleischman + Partners Architects, Inc.’s put the needs of
O’Neill Family Center
photo by Christopher Barone
Italian Ceramic Tile Industry Celebrates
Winners
of
the
Tenth
Annual
Ceramic Tiles of Italy Design Awards 2004
Architects, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio, for the design of a Head
Start facility in East Cleveland, Ohio. Honorable mention
went to the Scranton, PA firm of Hemmler + Camayd
Architects for the O’Neill Center for Healthy Families. The
jury felt that these very diverse and innovative projects
utilized ceramic tile as a fundamental design element capitalizing on its structural and aesthetic characteristics.
children and community first. The mission of the federally
funded Head Start program is to prepare poverty level, preschool age children for kindergarten and to provide a
supportive environment for their parents and guardians.
The design of this facility embodies the spirit behind the
program and translates idealism into positive and pragmatic
results for the community it serves. Child-friendly interior
elements such as child-size stair treads, child scaled reading
alcoves, and large and colorful windows are only part of the
picture. The exterior, a mix of glass walls and porcelain
cladding, exudes a bright welcome to the neighborhood.
Italian porcelain tiles by CERCOM in contrasting horizontal
stripes of yellow, white and gray grace the exterior and
nicely complement the 40 ft. high red-shingled entrance
cone, making a striking and playful visual statement.
Hemmler + Camayd Architects
Reuters America, photo by Elizabeth Felicella
Swanke Hayden Connell
When media giant Reuters America, Inc. asked Swanke
Hayden Connell to design the interior of its headquarters,
located in New York’s Times Square, the architects
embraced the vitality of its location, creating full-length glass
walls on every floor to let in an abundance of natural light
and to showcase the urban landscape of electronic signs,
lights and Broadway crowds. As one moves up the floors of
the building, however, the views of cacophonous Times
Square give way to expansive vistas of Central Park, the
Hudson River, and points south. The 30th floor Conference
Center and Executive Dining Facility reflect this more
soothing view of the city, with a subdued color palette and
clean modern lines throughout. The designers enhanced the
In designing the O’Neill Center for Healthy Families,
Hemmler + Camayd Architects took an innovative approach
to health and wellness for woman and families. The stunning
facility, located on the Marywood University Campus,
houses a variety of clinical and educational programs
designed to meet the needs of the community. Nestled in the
woods, the building’s plan consists of two wings hinged at
Sergio Sassi, President of Assopiastrelle, presented the two
grand prize awards at the Ceramic Tiles of Italy International
Press Conference, which took place during Coverings 2003,
at the Orange County Convention Center. The two winning
firms were represented by Richard Fleischman, Principal,
Richard Fleischman + Partners and Agatha Habjan, Senior
Designer, Swanke Hayden Connell. The winners were also
recognized at the Coverings All Industry Award Ceremony,
which took place on March 26th.
O’Neill Family Center
photo by Christopher Barone
Head Start Facility, photo by Eric Hanson
Italian Trade Commission, 33 East 67th Street, New York, NY 10021-5949
© 2003 ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION, NY
the center by a two-story crystalline cube that effectively
incorporates the natural surroundings into the building’s
soothing interior. Project designers chose ceramic tiles from
MAGICA in muted shades of gray and green for the two-story
atrium cube, and two adjacent lobbies and rest rooms.
Within the atrium, stunning wood ”trees” seem to rise up out
of the tile floor. The random floor pattern recalls the
informality of a flagstone patio - integrating the interior
environment with the exterior meditation garden.