For the 2018 edition of Coverings, the Italian Pavilion promises to be full of beautiful and innovative ceramic products that demonstrate the advanced capabilities of the Italian tile industry. In addition to tile and installation products, Ceramics of Italy will host educational sessions on design trends and sustainability talks, as well celebrate the history of Italian tile in North America in collaboration with the 25th anniversary of the Tile Competition.
At the center of the Italian pavilion, Ceramics of Italy invites visitors to stop by Strada Dinamica located at booth 1630, Hall B3. Designed by New York firm e+i studio, Strada Dinamica (Italian for “dynamic street”) is the focal point of the Italian pavilion. Architect Ian Gordon, together with his Italian partner and wife, Eva Perez de Vega, worked to bring an energetic Italian streetscape to life. Modeled after a busy urban sidewalk the booth includes benches, standing communal tables and two large kiosks which house a cafe, coffee bar and information desk. The swooping, wave-like motions and organic curvature throughout the booth create an inviting modernist aesthetic reminiscent of Italian futurism designs. Thoughtfully designed with every detail carefully planned in order to maximize space and functionality, e+i studio has created a welcoming environment among the busy convention center. At the booth, show attendees can learn more about the 100+ brands in the pavilion and the initiatives the Italian industry is supporting to continue to promote the benefits and use of ceramic and porcelain tiles, grouts and more.
Robb Cohen Photography
Several member companies generously contributed some of their finest products to bring the Italian streetscape vision to life. Florim’s Magnum Oversize collection and Lea Ceramiche’s large format floor tiles are set on a raised flooring system by Newfloor, which showcases the products that are simultaneously displayed by exhibiting member companies in use. Fila Solutions also provided cleaning products for the booth. Conveying a sense of motion, movement and natural flow, the booth welcomes those passing to step up and explore the space.
The Italian pavilion in general will be full of inspiration and innovation this year, as hundreds of Italian brands exhibit their latest collections, demonstrating their extensive understanding of architects’ and designers’ needs. Modern develops such as large format tiles will continue to be popular with more collections in 6 mm ultra thin and large collections that range from metal to stone and marble designs. Outdoor pavers and exterior cladding tiles will also demonstrate the multi-faceted approach to tile products that many Italian companies share. Companies also continue to expand upon popular trends like terrazzo and nostalgia-inspired tiles while others experiment with new techniques to create painted effects and combine categories of materials such as marble and wood looks in one design. Digital printing advancements will be seen as patterns become more intricate and colors become richer. Examples of these advancements include botanical inspired motifs and weathered looks perfected to capture a natural passage of time. The variety of trends shown within the pavilion are sure to impress and inspire visitors at the show.
While visiting the pavilion, show attendees are able to learn more about industry initiatives including the Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the new industry-wide EPD, and the Good Phytosanitaryware Practices program – implemented in collaboration with CTDA. On Wednesday, May 9 at 8am in Room B312, sustainability experts including Andrea Contri, Sustainability Manager at Confindustria Ceramica, will tackle the multi-faceted issue of sustainability and how it is perceived today. It will also provide an in-depth look at how the industry can combine sustainability messaging and various specification tools into a package, which resonates in today’s sustainability landscape. Afterwards, at 9:30am in Room B309, Cristina Faedi, Manager of Promotional Activities for Ceramics of Italy, will discuss the latest tile trends, material innovations and creative applications along with other tile industry experts.
Robb Cohen Photography
Celebrating a special anniversary year, Ceramics of Italy will host a lunch and film screening on May 9 at 12:30pm in honor of 25 years of the Tile Competition. Design and tile industry professionals are invited to a private Italian lunch and premiere of a film on the prestigious awards program, directed by Francesca Molteni and architectural historian Fulvio Irace. The short film will be followed by a panel discussion with past winners of the competition and a guided walking tour of the Ceramics of Italy Pavilion.
Strada Dinamica is an excellent meeting point for guests to enjoy an authentic Italian espresso or pick up a copy of the latest issue of Cer magazine and take a break from the bustling show floor. Be sure to stop by the space during Coverings 2018 to admire the elegant work of e+i studio, the participating ceramic brands and attend educational sessions to learn about the wonderful advantages of Italian tile.
