The panel of judges for the Tile of Spain Awards of Architecture and Interior Design, chaired by architect Gonçalo Byrne, met on 24th November in Castellón to decide the winners of the 15th edition of these awards, which enjoy a consolidated reputation in the world of architecture (see minutes).
Winner of the Architecture category is ‘Two Homes in Oropesa (Toledo) by Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos. The use of ceramic tiles was not limited to a mere covering or finish, but instead as a material capable of enveloping the project, adding a unique appearance. In this category, the panel also decided to give a Special Mention to ‘MM House, Palma de Mallorca’ by Ohlab, a home designed in accordance with the Passivhaus standard in order to guarantee optimum energy efficiency. The design features a sloping roof finished with a white 15×15 cm white ceramic tile, chosen for three reasons: aesthetic considerations, maintenance and easy roof cleaning for the collection and reuse of rainwater.
First prize in the Interior Design category went to ‘TABA espazioa’ by Ibon Salaberria, a space that includes a coffee shop, pizza restaurant and wine bar situated on the ground floor of Tabakalera, San Sebastian’s new International Centre for Contemporary Culture. The floor and bars have been covered with 10×10 cm ceramic tiles in the style of rugs resting on the partition elements between employee and customer. The jury decided to give a Mention to ‘Casa#77’ by Raúl Montero Martínez and Emilio Pardo Rivacoba, a project to renovate an apartment measuring just 51 m2 situated in the loft of a housing block in Pamplona’s historic quarter.
Download the photographs here (214 MB)
Award Winners
First prize in the Architecture category: “Two homes in Oropesa (Toledo)” by Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos.
The panel of judges highlighted the outstanding precision of an architectural intervention within a complex historical context and a use of ceramic tiles that was fully fit for purpose.
Special Mention: “MM House” by Ohlab (Paloma Hernaiz, Jaime Oliver, Rebeca Lavín, Walter Brandt and Sergio Rivero de Cáceres).
The panel of judges particularly appreciated the use of sustainable architecture free from visible displays of technology.
First prize in the Interior Design category: ‘TABA espazioa’ by Ibon Salaberria.
The judges referred in particular to the balanced dialogue created between the materials that showcased the use of ceramic tiles in a contemporary space.
Special Mention: ‘Casa#77’ by Raúl Montero Martínez and Emilio Pardo Rivacoba.
The judges emphasised the radical nature of a space enveloped in ceramic tiles.
Final Degree Project Category (FDP)
The Tile of Spain awards also include a category for the best Final Degree Project undertaken by students at Schools of Architecture in which the ceramic tiles play a central role (go to FDP minutes).
The panel of judges agreed to award first prize in the Final Degree Project category to ‘In-Situ: Tools and Technology in Traditional Architecture’ by M Wesam Al Asali, a student at the University of Cambridge.
Taking into consideration the nature of the award, the judges unanimously highlighted the project strategy, which employs a single ceramic material to create a construction system in keeping with its function and location. It addresses a current issue in an effective manner, generating added value to the landscape.
The judges also decided to give a Special Mention to the project entitled ‘Como agua de mayo’ by Belén Collado González, a student at the San Pablo CEU University in Madrid.
The judges were particularly appreciative of the plasticity and sensitivity in terms of the use the material was put to.
