First prize in the Interior Design category has been achieved by ‘Three metro stations on Barcelona’s L9 line’, a project by Garcés – de Seta – Bonet Arquitectes. Both the interior and exterior of the Mercabarna, Parc Logístic and Europa Fira stations, all on the L9 metro line, were remodelled in order to create a sense of classic timelessness, as well as guaranteeing easy maintenance and functionality for a high-traffic area.
The panel of judges comprised architects Iñaki Ábalos (Chair), Ángela García Paredes, Ricardo Bak Gordon, Víctor Navarro, Moisés Puente, Martín Azúa and Ramón Monfort
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Bodega Mont-Ras by Jorge Vidal and Victor Rahola uses tiles by Cerámica Elias. Photograph: José Hevia
First prize – Architecture
The judges for ASCER’S 16th Tile of Spain Awards for Architecture and Interior Design, chaired by architect Iñaki Ábalos, have chosen ‘Bodega Mont-Ras’ (Baix Empordà, Girona) by Jorge Vidal and Victor Rahola which uses tiles by Cerámica Elias. The panel of judges particularly valued the industrial and rustic-type materials used in the project, which also reflects the capacity of the chosen materials to adapt to the layout of the various spatial geometries, adding a strong sense of character to the entire setting.
Special mentions – Architecture
From left to right: Gon-Gar Repair Shop by NUA arquitectures and The Santacreu Hotel on Tabarca by Diego López Fuster + SUBARQUITECTURA. Photographs: Adrià Goula and Jesús Granada.
A special mention was given to the project entitled ‘Extension and renovation work on the Gon-Gar repair shop’ by NUA arquitectures. The challenges presented by this complex unitary construction were successfully resolved thanks to the use of ceramic materials that generated an overall aesthetic effect in a composition fully in keeping with its environment, adding a sense of modernity to an unusual urban location and programme.
A second Special Mention was given to the Santacreu Hotel on the Island of Tabarca by Diego López Fuster + SUBARQUITECTURA. The judges particularly valued the use of ceramic tiles that flow from the exterior to the interior, with a break in continuity in order to draw the eye to points of particular architectural interest, such as the open rooftop courtyard, as well as the use of ceramic tiles in the interior, forming a sharp chromatic contrast with the exterior.
First prize – Interior Design
‘Three metro stations on Barcelona’s L9 Line’ by Garcés – de Seta – Bonet Arquitectes gets its dramatic look from its Porcelanosa floor tiles. Photograph: Adrià Goula.
The panel of judges awarded first prize in the Interior Design category to ‘Three metro stations on Barcelona’s L9 line’ by Garcés – de Seta – Bonet Arquitectes which uses floor tiles by Porcelanosa. The judges highlighted the contrast created by the use of clean, convenient and practical ceramic floor tiles in areas in contact with people traffic, and the stark, radical nature of the other surfaces. They especially appreciated the solution of applying a single material capable of overcoming all the challenges posed for floor coverings in public spaces.
As a result of the high standard of the entries, the judges decided to award multiple special mentions in all three categories, choosing two remarkable projects in the Interior Design category.
Special mentions – Interior Design
Can Picafort by Ted’A arquitectes. Photograph: Luis Díaz
The judges decided to award a Special Mention for the ‘Can Picafort’ project by Ted’A arquitectes for the Interior Design category. This was honoured because of its imaginative use of a variety of materials interconnected through the use of ceramic tiles both in the interiors and exteriors.
A second Special Mention for Interior Design went to the project entitled ‘Renovation of a home between party walls’ by ARQUITECTURA-G. The judges valued the sense of maximum continuity achieved through the use of a single ceramic material on all the horizontal surfaces, forming an eye-catching chromatic contrast with the neutral tones of the other surfaces featured throughout the home, and which continues partially in the exterior.
‘Renovation of a home between party walls’ by Arquitectura-G. Photograph: José Hevia
First prize – Final Degree Project
In the Final Degree Project category, the judges gave First Prize to “A Landscape Garden: restoration of the area around the Zirí Wall in the El Albaicín district of Granada. A new Residents’ Centre and Tourist Information Office’ by Rafael López-Toribio Moreno, a student at the Granada School of Architecture.
The judges appreciated the inclusion of a series of architectural elements in a complex outer area of the city. The project includes the sensitive use of building solutions that created a route dotted with a variety of settings and landscape perspectives. The territorial use of ceramic tiles conveys a sense of unity to the entire project.
The judges also awarded two special mentions to the projects entitled ‘Local resources’ by Laia Raventós Recasens and ‘Smithfield Abbey Campus’, by Ricardo Fernández González; a second prize was also given to ‘A Catalogue of Aesthetic Ruins’, a project by Jorge Sánchez Bajo.
About the judges
The panel of judges was chaired by Iñaki Ábalos, a highly-acclaimed architect boasting long-standing trajectory and founder of the international architecture studio Abalos+Sentkiewicz. He also has extensive teaching experience, and is currently a tenured professor at the Madrid School of Architecture and professor in residence and Chair of the Department of Architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD), where ASCER has a Ceramic Tile Studies Department.
The panel of judges also included Ángela García de Paredes (Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos); Víctor Navarro (Langarita-Navarro); Bak Gordon, a Portuguese architect; Moisés Puente (Editor of 2G and critic); designer and interior designer Martín Azúa; and Ramón Monfort, a member of the Castellón College of Architects.
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). They are sponsored by Endesa, Vodafone, Valencia Port Authority and CESCE.
The Tile of Spain Awards offer cash prizes for a total of €39,000 and are divided into three areas. The two main categories – Architecture and Interior Design – each have a cash prize of €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 €5,000. In all three categories, entries are welcome from both Spanish and international participants.
The Tile of Spain Awards boast a consolidated trajectory that is widely acknowledged by architecture professionals. Fifteen years after their launch, this latest edition presents a revamped corporate identity featuring a more contemporary image in line with current design trends.
Full details of this and previous editions of the awards are available at www.premiosceramica.com or www.tileofspainawards.com