tilecompetition.com

The Ceramics of Italy International Tile Competition

Edi.Cer. S.p.A., a publishing, promotion and services company wholly owned by Confindustria Ceramica, as well as the organiser of Cersaie (International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings) and owner of the Ceramics of Italy trademark, is proud to launch the the Ceramics of Italy International Tile Competition, a program that aims to honor outstanding projects carried out using Italian ceramic and porcelain tiles covered by the Ceramics of Italy trademark.

Upon request, Edi.Cer. S.p.a. is entitled to license the Ceramics of Italy trademark to Italian ceramic manufacturers that are members of Confindustria Ceramica, the national association representing Italian manufacturers of ceramic tiles, refractory materials, sanitaryware, tableware and industrial ceramics. The trademark is applicable strictly to products of Italian origin, thereby enhancing their status in terms of design, sustainability and market appeal.

The International Tile Competition will award architectural projects realized all around the world.

The competition consists of 4 main categories:

  • Residential
  • Commercial
  • Design and new applications
  • Outdoor

Competition rules and entry procedure

  1. The competition is open to architecture and design professionals who have carried out projects worldwide using Italian ceramic tiles produced and marketed by companies licensed to use the Ceramics of Italy trademark under their own brand names (hereinafter also referred to as “Italian Ceramic Tiles”), completed between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2026.
  2. To find out which Confindustria Ceramica member companies are licensees of the Ceramics of Italy trademark, visit the website https://www.ceramica.info/en/aziende-ceramiche-it/.
  3. A “completed project” is to be understood as a building or a work of architecture for which a “work completion” certificate has been issued. Proof of this certification may be submitted as an attachment to the Application Form.
  4. Projects must be submitted directly by the individual/firm credited with the creation of the work. By submitting the Application Form, the applicant, under his/her responsibility in the event of false declarations, affirms his/her sole authorship of the submitted work. Additionally, the applicant declares that there are no factors that would disqualify his/her participation, including constraints relating to third parties. In the event that the projects are the work of multiple design professionals, the Application Form must be signed by all of them, under penalty of disqualification.
  5. 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 high-resolution (300 DPI) .jpg, .jpeg, .tiff, .png or .pdf format, with a minimum of 5 images (.zip) files are permitted.
  6. Application to take part in this competition is free. Applications may only be submitted through the designated online form available on this website, otherwise they will be automatically disqualified. Documents or applications submitted by any other means will not be accepted.
  7. This Competition does not fall under the scope of Italian laws relating to prize competitions as detailed in Article 6, paragraph 1, letter a) of Presidential Decree 430/2001.
  8. By entering the competition, participants acknowledge and agree to the terms set forth in these regulations.
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Judging criteria
  1. The international Jury, consisting of renowned architecture and design professionals, will evaluate the submitted projects based on their creativity, functionality, sustainable attributes and aesthetic appeal. Only projects adhering to the competition rules will be submitted to the Jury. Before projects are submitted to the Jury, Confindustria Ceramica will verify that the indicated companies are licensees of the Ceramics of Italy trademark and that submissions include real images rather than computer-generated renderings.
  2. The selection criteria will cover:
    • a. the overall design of the architectural project;
    • b. the amount and use of Italian Ceramic Tiles in the project;
    • c. attention to the environment through the use of Italian Ceramic Tiles;
    • d. the sustainability of the architectural work and of the products used.
  3. The Jury may request additional documentation for any project as deemed necessary.
  4. Winners will be chosen in the following categories: “Residential”, “Commercial”, “Design and New  Applications” and “Outdoor”.
  5. The Jury reserves the right to grant one or more special mentions at its sole discretion.
  6. The process of selecting and awarding prizes and special mentions is a matter of the Jury’s sole judgment and discretion.
  7. Rankings are not drawn up for awards or special mentions apart from the winner and will consequently not be announced.
  8. The winners and recipients of special mentions (if any) will be notified by the Competition Organisers.
Prizes

Winners will receive a four-day, CEU-accredited trip to Bologna, Italy, to attend Cersaie 2026, the world’s largest exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings, alongside a delegation of leading architects, interior designers, and journalists from September 21-25, 2026. Winners will be honored during a special VIP ceremony during the show. Category winners will also receive cash prizes. Attendance at Cersaie and the award ceremony is required.

All winning projects will also receive robust marketing and promotional PR support across North American and international media.

Award ceremony

The award ceremony will be held during the Cersaie exhibition , taking place September 21-25, 206. The ceremony will strictly be conducted in-person, with no provision for remote award presentations. The winners will be contacted by Edi.Cer. S.p.a. with further details regarding the organisation of the event. It is mandatory for the winners from each category to attend; the show organiser will cover their accommodation and flight expenses to facilitate their presence on the day of the award ceremony.

Deadline

The deadline for applications is June 5, 2026.

Privacy

In accordance with Article 13 of EU Regulation 2016/679 (“GDPR”), please be informed that personal data supplied by design professionals through the application form and the materials submitted to the competition will be processed for the purposes of managing their participation, promoting the competition, and, in the case of winners, for managing the presentation of awards and organisation of the award ceremony. This processing will be carried out using both printed and digital means in compliance with data protection regulations, in particular with the technical and organisational measures set out in Article 32 of the GDPR.

The processing of personal data is necessary for the performance of the contract or for carrying out pre-contractual measures adopted on request of the data subject, as per Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR. The provision of personal data is voluntary, but failure to provide the necessary information will disqualify the applicant from participation in the competition. The processing of personal data is necessary for verifying competition entry eligibility and throughout all phases of the competition, including its promotion and communication. Personal data will be retained for the duration of the competition and for the period of time strictly necessary to achieve the stated purposes, including the promotion and communication of current and future editions of the competition.