What is the Tile Competition?
Tile Competition is the italian ceramic tile industry’s architecture competition in Europe and the USA. The Tile Competition combines two previously separate Italian ceramic tile contests, one aimed at the North American market and the other focused on Italy. The former had been running for over 30 years, while the latter had reached its 11th edition. In future, the new Tile Competition will alternate between Europe and North America annually, commencing with Europe in 2024 followed by North America in 2025.
Who is the competition organised by?
The competition is promoted by the Italian ceramic industry association Confindustria Ceramica and organised by its subsidiary Edi.Cer. S.p.A., which also manages Cersaie, the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings held in Bologna (www.cersaie.it).
What are the aims of the competition?
The aim of the Tile Competition is to recognise outstanding projects carried out by european (year 2024) and north american (year 2025) architects and interior designers worldwide using ceramic tiles covered by the Ceramics of Italy trademark (as defined in the call for entries) in the Residential, Non-residential, Urban design, Design and new applications, and Students categories.
What prizes are awarded?
The winners of the Residential, Non-Residential, Urban Design and Design & New Applications categories will receive a CEU trip to Bologna, Italy to attend Cersaie 2025 and a trip to Coverings 2025 in Orlando, FL. The winners of the Residential, Non-Residential, and Urban Design categories will receive cash prizes of $5,000 each. The winner of the Design & New Applications category will receive $2,000. Cash prizes will not be awarded to student winners or honorable mentions.
SPECIFICALLY:
Win Trip to Italy for Cersaie 2025: Winners of the the four built categories – Residential, Non-Residential, Urban Design, Design & New Applications – will receive a CEU-accredited trip to Bologna, Italy to attend Cersaie – the world’s largest exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings – with a delegation of top design media from September 22 – 26, 2025.
Award Ceremony at Coverings 2025: Winners across all five categories – Residential, Non-Residential, Urban Design, Design & New Applications and Student – will be awarded at Coverings 2025 – the largest international tile and stone exhibition in North America – from April 29 – May 2, 2025. Winners will receive a trip to Orlando, Florida and will be invited to attend the award ceremony during the Ceramics of Italy Press Conference, along with the opportunity to present their projects in front of an audience of top design and trade media, manufacturers, and tile industry professionals.
Win Cash Prizes: Winners of the Residential, Non-Residential, Urban Design categories will each receive cash prizes of $5,000. The winner of the Design & New Applications category will receive a cash prize of $2,000. Student category winners and all winning projects will receive robust marketing and promotional PR support across North American and international media.
Is there a fee to enter?
There is no application fee and multiple project entries are accepted.
What is the deadline?
The deadline for applications is February 14, 2025.
When must the projects have been completed?
The competition is open to new build, building renovation and architectural renovation projects carried out worldwide by a north american architect, interior designer or other design professional and completed between 1 January 2020 and 30 September 2024.
What architectural categories and ceramic applications are eligible for the competition?
The competition is open to new build, building renovation and architectural renovation projects in the following categories:
- Residential (use of tiles in interiors and exteriors of houses, apartments, multi-occupancy buildings or other premises for private or residential use, etc.);
- Non-residential (use of tiles in interiors and exteriors of hotels and resorts, restaurants and bars, shopping centres, shops and boutiques, showrooms, schools, hospitals, offices, churches, theatres, cinemas, gyms, fitness centres and spas, etc.);
- Urban design (ceramic street furniture or paving for pavements, squares, public spaces, green areas, etc.);
- Design and new applications (applications of ceramics in non-traditional contexts, indoors and outdoors, kitchen countertops, furnishing accessories, design elements, etc.);
- Students (interiors and exteriors in projects developed by students from architecture and design schools).
How do I know if a manufacturer has the Ceramics of Italy trademark?
To find out which Confindustria Ceramica member companies are licensees of the Ceramics of Italy trademark, visit the “Ceramics of Italy” section at https://www.ceramica.info/en/aziende-ceramiche-it/
Can I submit more than one project?
Yes, you can submit more than one project in the same category and/or in multiple categories.
What type of images can be attached?
Submissions must include actual photographs of the project rather than computer-generated images. Documents proving the completion of the work may be attached. Attached images/documents should be in a low-resolution .jpg, .jpeg, .tiff or .png format, with a minimum of 3 images and a total file size not exceeding 50 MB. Compressed (.zip) files are permitted.
How much does it cost to participate in the competition?
Application to take part in this competition is free.
How can I submit my project?
Click on “Application Form” in the menu, fill in the form with all the required data and provide a detailed description of your project together with photos. After you have read the call for entries, completed all sections of the application form and accepted all the conditions of participation, click Submit. You will receive an identification number for your application.
Contact for further informations?
Edi.Cer. S.p.A.
Email: promozione@confindustriaceramica.it
Phone +39 0536 818111
Use of personal data
Edi.Cer. Spa reserves the right to use the images of submitted projects and to disclose the names of the respective design professionals in the ways it deems most appropriate. By submitting a project, applicants affirm their original authorship and ownership rights over the submitted project and authorise Edi.Cer. Spa to use the submitted personal data. They also undertake to indemnify and hold Edi.Cer. Spa harmless against any claims by third parties alleging authorship, ownership rights over the project, or any rights violations in general.
With reference to the TILE COMPETITION, participants are aware of the legal consequences of making false statements and declare, under their own responsibility, that they are the creators of the architectural project and consequently retain sole ownership of, and responsibility for, the intellectual property rights for the submitted materials.
By participating in the Competition, entrants affirm that they have thoroughly reviewed and understood all terms and conditions of participation, ensuring compliance with the Competition Rules. Consequently, participants grant Edi.Cer. Spa permission, free of charge, to:
- use the submitted photographs and texts for promotional and advertising purposes<
- display the submitted photographs and texts at exhibitions and events as part of Edi.Cer. S.p.A.’s communication activities;
- use submitted photographs and texts in any form of publication that Edi.Cer. Spa deems necessary and/or appropriate;
- acknowledge the photographer’s name and credits (when applicable) wherever Edi.Cer. Spa deems it necessary and/or appropriate in communications relating to the TILE COMPETITION.
