INSTITUTIONAL WINNER
Firm: HDR Architecture
Project: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Tile Manufacturer: Ceramiche Caesar
Contractor: Select Interiors
Distributor: RBC Tile & Stone
The design of the massive central spine of the Precision Measurement Laboratory on NIST’s Colorado campus called for a modern, high-end look with a strong, grounded quality. In addition, the client required the new space to complement existing design elements. The spine—about two football fields long—serves as the main thoroughfare through which all the laboratories and faculty offices are accessed. HDR Architecture specified Italian tile for the project because its durability could withstand the extreme seasonal changes of the Colorado climate. An entire range of tiles from Ceramiche Caesar’s “Feel” collection met all of the functional and aesthetic requirements of the project: high design and high performance. The project perfectly exemplifies the firm’s philosophy of combining passion for scale, finish, and balance with function, fit, and harmony. The project achieved LEED Gold certification.
INSTITUTIONAL HONORABLE MENTION
Firm: Jain Malkin
Project: Indu and Raj Soin Medical Center
Location: Beavercreek, Ohio
Tile Manufacturer: Ceramiche Caesar
Contractor: Danis Building Construction Company
Distributor: SpecCeramics
The massive 259,000-square-foot Indu and Raj Soin Medical Center—named after the philanthropists who donated a generous sum of money towards the project—has the feel of a hotel, creating a comfortable, positive environment for patients and their families. Jain Malkin, who specializes in healthcare design, specified 68,000 square feet of large-format Ceramiche Caesar porcelain tiles for the centerpiece of the Mills-Morgan Medical Campus. High performance tiles from the company’s “Feel” and “More” collections were used in areas ranging from public restrooms to patient bathrooms in addition to the walls and floors of the expansive lobby and corridor areas. The result is a fresh, clean, and nature-inspired interior that is serene and soothing.
COMMERCIAL WINNER
Firm: SHoP Architects
Project: Barclays Center
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Tile Manufacturer: Sant’Agostino
Contractor: Port Morris Tile & Marble Corporation
Distributor: Nemo Tile
The design of the 675,000-square-foot arena by ShoP Architects achieves a striking balance between iconic form and performance. Integrated into one of the busiest urban intersections in the New York metropolitan area, the Barclays Center sustains a healthy, interactive dialogue with the surrounding streets and neighborhood. The main concourse and atrium, accessible from the arena’s large entrance plaza, feature walls tiled with Sant'Agostino’s “Natural Trend” collection—rich but muted basalt-look tiles that add edginess to the design and complement the rugged exterior of weathered steel. On event days, these spaces are filled with lively audiences waiting to enter the arena, buying tickets, or dining in one of the 14 restaurants located off the concourse.
COMMERCIAL RETAIL HONORABLE MENTION
Firm: Sergio Mannino Studio
Project: Hirshleifer’s Shoe Salon
Location: Manhasset, New York
Tile Manufacturer: Impronta Ceramiche
Contractor: Impronta Italgraniti
Distributor: Gianni Ruberti
Avoiding the look of a typical shoe store, Sergio Mannino Studio used the Hirshleifer’s Shoe Salon to create an homage to the world of Italian and American art and design. The space is a dialogue between stark Minimalism and the sensual and decadent world of Radical Design—contrasting reds and whites dominating the color scheme—mediated by the simple and clean canvas of glazed porcelain floor tiles from Impronta Ceramiche’s “Esko” collection. Hints of Sol LeWitt, Donald Judd, Gio Ponti, and Lucio Fontana are incorporated seamlessly into the space, creating surprising moments throughout.
COMMERCIAL HOSPITALITY HONORABLE MENTION
Firm: KNA Design
Project: Hotel Wilshire
Location: Los Angeles, California
Tile Manufacturer: Impronta Ceramiche
Contractor: RD Olson
Distributor: Stone Source
Through KNA Design’s sleek, contemporary vision, this adaptive reuse project converted an old medical building into one of Los Angeles’ premier hotels. It is equal parts hidden escape and city vibe, with a rooftop pool and lounge space that offers unforgettable views of the city. All of the public spaces, from the glass-walled lobby to the penthouse terrace and rooftop bar are tiled with “Sand” from Impronta Ceramiche, bringing a little bit of the beach inland with their textured, granular aesthetic. Not settling for looks alone, the tiles were also chosen for their sustainable attributes, containing 45% pre- and post-consumer recycled content.
COMMERCIAL CORPORATE HONORABLE MENTION
Firm: RMW Architecture and Interiors
Project: Juniper Networks HQ
Location: Sunnyvale, California
Tile Manufacturer: Ceramiche Caesar
Contractor: Walters & Wolf
Distributor: SpecCeramics
A feat to be marveled in terms of scope and construction, the first two buildings of Juniper Networks’ proposed 2.5 million-square-foot campus are completely clad in large-format porcelain tiles. After extensive research, RMW found Ceramiche Caesar’s “E-Motions” and “More” collections to be perfect for designing a building skin that was different—the exteriors stand out yet aesthetically connect the campus as it grows. Approximately 21,000 square feet of tile was installed on each building using prefabricated, lightweight concrete panels developed by Walters and Wolf. The tiles are manufactured using eco-friendly processes and create a high quality exterior that is durable, long-lasting, and low maintenance. Buildings A and B are both on track to receive LEED Gold Certification.
