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 Awards: International Design Special Recognitions.
Special Recognition: International Design
Project: Araruama 231
Designer: CILINE LUPI ARQ + DESIGN
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
This week, we have our winner for Special Recognition for International Design – Araruama 231. This project features 500 square meters of craftsmanship in São Paulo. The Araruama apartment balances warmth, sophistication, and architectural precision. Large-format porcelain tiles — including 121×121 cm Splendor Grigio Satin and 123×123 cm Canoas Natural — minimize grout lines and amplify the sense of space.
Alabama wood-look porcelain brings tactile warmth to intimate areas, while Dekton ultra-compact surfaces handle high-performance zones with elegance. A circular wine cellar anchors the social core, where organic flooring patterns flow seamlessly across living, dining, and balcony. Moledo stone adds raw texture against refined marble-like countertops. The result: a family home where every surface tells a considered, cohesive story.
Special Recognition: International Design
Project: Casa Marratxi
Designer: Casas inHAUS
Location: Mallorca, Spain
Another stunning International Design project is Casa Marratxi. Designed and built by Casas inHAUS, this 4,585 sq ft industrialized concrete residence in Mallorca merges minimalist precision with Mediterranean warmth. Large-format porcelain from Saloni, Inalco, and Porcelanosa runs seamlessly across interior and exterior surfaces. Stone-look cladding echoes the natural landscape, while matte warm-gray floors reinforce the home’s clean geometry. Natural quartzite adds texture and permanence on select façade and double-height interior walls. Bathrooms introduce marble-look finishes for subtle contrast. Material zoning replaces ornamentation, and floor-to-ceiling glazing dissolves the boundary between inside and out. Every tile choice was architectural — not decorative— delivering a home defined by coherence, durability, and quiet sophistication.
Special Recognition: International Design
Project: Hotel Kimpton Los Monteros
Designer: EL EQUIPO CREATIVO
Location: Marbella, Spain
Another well-deserving winner for the International Design category, we have Hotel Kimpton Los Monteros by El Equipo (E-KEEP-O) Creativo. This reimagining of Marbella’s iconic Hotel Kimpton Los Monteros fuses 1970s glamour with the soul of Andalusia. Ceramic and large-format porcelain tiles from seven manufacturers — including Aparici, Equipe, and Porcelanosa — flow across lobbies, terraces, rooftop bar, and poolside zones, unifying interior and exterior with a warm Mediterranean palette of terracotta, deep blue, and soft white. Inspired by traditional hydraulic mosaics and the artistic legacy of the region, patterned tiles create immersive focal points throughout. Textured finishes ensure slip resistance in wet areas without sacrificing beauty. The result: a hotel that feels rooted in place, rich in culture, and built to endure.
Do you have a recently completed project that features innovative design and installation of tile & stone? Consider entering it into the 2027 CID Awards – the portal opens this fall!