Miami, FL December 2021– Tile of Spain, the association representing over 100 Spanish tile manufacturers, announces the winners of the 20th annual Tile of Spain Awards of Architecture and Interior Design. The panel of judges, led by renowned architect Carlos Ferrater, founder of the Office of Architecture in Barcelona (OAB), consorted on November 17th, 2021, to evaluate the projects.
Winning projects:
Architecture
“The new headquarters of the Valencia Construction Sector Employment Foundation” by MRM Architects’ Studio
The new headquarters of the Valencia Construction Sector Employment Foundation is set in an industrial district in Valencia, Spain. In keeping with the region’s physical and cultural backdrop, a decision was taken to use ceramic tiles for the construction of the employment center as this material is one of the Valencia’s flagship manufacturing products. The jury praised the use of large-format tiles as a quintessential feature of the building’s façade. They also highlighted the use of a single surface material, applied as an exterior cladding to support the sustainability and hygiene throughout the facilities interior and exterior environments.
Architecture Special Mention
“Malaga University’s Faculty of Psychology and Speech Therapy” by Llps Architects’ Studio
Interior Design
“Living in a Coderch” by Estudio Vilablanch
“Living in Coderch” was a full renovation of an apartment in the emblematic Banco Urquijo building nestled in Barcelona, Spain. During the restoration of the flat, Estudio Vilablanch recaptured the essence of José Antonio Coderch’s architecture and contemporary style.
Here, the jury celebrated the interior design scheme that enhanced the spirit of Coderch’s unique aesthetic.
The judging panel also noted the exceptional choice of materials and meticulous care with which the design plan was executed.
Interior Design Special Mentions
“JM55” by BURR and “Cal Garrofa” by Julia Tarnawski & Albert Guerra
Final Degree Project
“Castilla La MaRcha. A resort for Motivated Spain” by Gonzalo López Elorriaga (Madrid School of Architecture)
Castilla la MaRcha is a new-wave resort blueprint, devised to revitalize the rural Spanish neighborhood of Peralvillo. The design plan focuses on rejuvenating the vacant town with the leisure and entertainment typically found in highly populated cities.
The jury found Gonzalo López Elorriaga’s proposal to use traditional tiles in a modern and unorthodox setting, ground-breaking. The resort’s design concept focuses on taking guests on a journey through Spain’s past, present and future with the help of strategically placed and thoughtfully designed ceramic installations.
Final Degree Special Mentions
“A civic centre and temporary accommodation in La Asunción former factory” by Mariona Dalmau Benavent (La Salle School of Architecture) and “Hortus Conclusus” by Teresa Clara Martínez López (Madrid School of Architecture)
The Judges
The panel of judges was chaired by Barcelona based architect, Carlos Ferrater of OAB. Judging alongside Ferrater was Fermín Vazques, Director of b720, Jamie Sanahuja, Director of Sanahuja & Partners, Alicia Fernándes, Interior Designer at Alicia Fernández Interiorismo, José Ma Marzo Director of Tectónica and Ángel Pitarch President of the Colegio Territorial de Arquitectos de Castellón (CTAC).
About the Awards
The objective of the Tile of Spain Awards is to promote the use of Spanish ceramic tiles in architecture and interior design projects (both in Spain and abroad). The program boasts a consolidated trajectory and is held in high esteem by architecture professionals.
The Tile of Spain Awards offers cash prizes totaling over $40,000 that are divided among three areas. The two main categories – Architecture and Interior Design – each have a cash prize of over $17,000. Special mentions may also be made in both categories, based on the judges’ criteria. The third category, the Final Degree Project, targets students of architecture and has a cash prize of over $5,000. In all three categories, entries are welcome from both Spanish and international participants.
The award ceremony will be held in Valencia during CEVISAMA 2022. Full details of this and previous editions of the awards are available at www.tileofspainawards.com.
About Tile of Spain
In Spain, tile makers labor as they have for centuries – pushing their passion for design and innovation to new levels of artisanship. With one of the purest and strongest domestic clays available, Spanish manufacturers have an unparalleled ability to make the end product more diverse. From rustic handmade forms; to technical facades that cool buildings and clean the air; to the impossibly slim, sustainable recycled and ink jet masterpieces that fire the imagination. The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association (ASCER) is the private organization whose primary objective is to support Spain’s ceramic tile manufacturers and the industry as a whole by stewarding and promoting the Tile of Spain brand worldwide. A strong global leader, the ceramic tile industry of Spain is comprised of over 120 manufacturers concentrated primarily in the province of Castellón. For more about tile produced in Spain, contact Tile of Spain Center at the Trade Commission of Spain, 2655 Le Jeune Road, Suite 1114, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Call 305-446-4387 or visit www.tileofspainusa.com.
