At Coverings 2026, we honored 25 outstanding projects that demonstrated spectacular craftsmanship and creativity in the use of tile and stone. This week we’re spotlighting the 2026 CID Award winner for Artistic Insallation.
Project: San Diego International Airport
Installer: All Source Company Building Group
Location: San Diego, California, USA
The San Diego International Airport is our next winner for Artistic Installation. The (San Diego International) Airport project features nearly one million tiles, 6 columns and 1 breathtaking celebration of the San Diego coastline. Handset smalti glass tiles — fabricated in Mexico, assembled in Quebec — shimmer with the colors of Pacific sunrises, pier shadows, and light dancing on wet sand. Patterns shift from sky to water to earth, extending into the terrazzo floor beneath your feet. It took All Source Building Group two weeks just to find the right grout and five weeks of laser-leveled, millimeter-precise installation. Thousands of tiles per sheet, transferred by hand. This is where international craftsmanship meets local identity — and the result doesn’t just decorate a gateway. It defines one.
Do you have a recently completed project showcasing innovative tile and stone design and installation? Explore the CID Awards and submit your work for Coverings 2027 this summer!