At Coverings 2025, we honored 22 outstanding projects that demonstrated spectacular craftsmanship and creativity in the use of tile and stone. This week we’re spotlighting the 2025 CID Awards: Commercial Special Recognitions.
Special Recognition: Commercial Stone Installation
Project: St. John’s Catholic Chapel Champaign Illinois
Designer: Daprato Rigalo Studios
Location: Champaign, Illinois, USA
St. John’s Catholic Chapel Champaign Illinois by Daprato Rigalo Studios received a 2025 Special Recognition Award for Commercial Stone Installation.
This project involved the meticulous restoration and reconstruction of a high altar, using new marble and mosaic to match the original design. The team removed existing marble statues, implemented a specialized cleaning system, and designed a custom scaffold to reinstall the statues once the new altar was completed. A custom hoisting system was used to precisely position large marble pieces, despite spatial constraints. Collaboration with the fabrication team in Italy ensured accuracy, with on-site photos, measurements, and material samples playing a crucial role. The project was successfully completed in just 10 days, thanks to expert craftsmanship and a dedicated team from Daprato Rigalo Studios.
Special Recognition: Commercial Stone Installation
Project: Taylorsville, Utah Temple
Designer: KEPCO+
Location: Taylorsville, Utah, USA
Taylorsville, Utah Temple by KEPCO+ received a 2025 Special Recognition award for Commercial Stone Installation.
This temple was designed to reflect European Cathedral architecture. The exterior incorporates 52,000 square feet of Botticino Limestone, selected for its durability, warm tones, and historical significance. The design includes over 20 unique stone elements. To ensure consistency, the design team worked closely with fabricators, selecting blocks with uniform coloring and conducting rigorous freeze/thaw testing. A standout feature is the eight massive “witch caps,” each weighing 5,400 pounds. In just over 20 months, more than 10,000 exterior pieces were installed, creating a breathtaking architectural landmark for the Taylorsville community.
Special Recognition: Commercial Ceramic Tile Pool Design
Project: Thompson Hotel Custom Pool
Designer: Nuovocorso SpA
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Thompson Hotel Custom Pool by Nuovocorso SpA received a 2025 Special Recognition for Commercial Ceramic Tile Pool Design.
The Thompson Hotel in Houston features a luxurious pool surround made of large-format porcelain slabs by Nuovocorso. The project balances aesthetics with health and sustainability, selecting porcelain for its durability, water resistance, and eco-friendliness. Logistical challenges included using cranes to transport Italian-manufactured slabs to the 7th-floor pool deck, due to the building’s architecture. The installation team meticulously prepared the pool’s surfaces, applied waterproofing, and installed ceramic cove bases and bullnose trim for safety compliance. The result is a stunning, high-end pool area that seamlessly blends design excellence with regulatory requirements, ensuring long-term durability and a sophisticated guest experience.
Special Recognition: Commercial Ceramic Tile Design
Project: Tikka Charcoal Grill
Designer: Olbos Studio
Location: Hicksville, New York, USA
Tikka Charcoal Grill received a 2025 Special Recognition award for Commercial Ceramic Tile Design.
The counter features layered Calathea tiles in four blue tones, paired with a Mediterranean Blue marble top and rippled stainless steel ceiling panels that mimic water movement. In the main dining space, ceramic tiles in various shades contribute to a “submarine blue garden” aesthetic, integrating silver accents and deep oceanic hues. The bathrooms continue this theme with unique color palettes and rippled mirrored ceilings, evoking gentle sea waves. Thoughtfully integrated, these tile elements bring texture, color, and fluidity to the space, making it both visually stunning and adaptable.
Do you have a recently completed project that features innovative design and installation of tile & stone? Consider entering it into the 2026 CID Awards – the portal opens this fall!
