NEW YORK, NY -- Ceramics of Italy has announced the winning design of its Exhibit Design Challenge, which will be revealed at Coverings -- the annual International Tile and Stone Show being held next year from April 17 to 20 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The 3,000-square-foot pavilion will be transformed into a striking topography-inspired piazza, as envisioned by e+i studio, the New York City-based architecture and design firm that was selected as the official winner of the Ceramics of Italy Exhibit Design Challenge.

Sponsored by Confindustria Ceramica, the Association of Italian Ceramics, and hosted by Architizer -- an online community of architects -- the Ceramics of Italy Exhibit Design Challenge called on architects from around the world to submit their designs for a 3,000-square-foot pavilion to be built at Coverings this spring. Given relatively free artistic reign and a reasonable budget, entrants were asked to incorporate a restaurant and café, space for an information desk and re-usable components to reflect the Italian tile industry's commitment to sustainability. Over 80 architecture firms signed on for the challenge. Proposals were reviewed by representatives of Confindustria Ceramica, Architizer, and an advisory committee of previous exhibit architects, including Bernard Tschumi, Laurinda Spear and Michael P. Johnson.

After much deliberation, Eva Perez de Vega and Ian Gordon, founders of e+i studio, were chosen as the overall winners of the competition for their inventive "Piazza Ceramica" design. Based on the idea of an Italian piazza, their proposed design features a large open gathering space with gradual steps reminiscent of a piazza church. According to e+i studio, the topographic mounds can be recreated into many different piazza-like configurations. They will be awarded a $10,000 design fee and $15,000 project management fee to oversee fabrication and installation of the pavilion.

"We are so pleased with the level of creativity and design excellence generated from all over the globe," said Vittorio Borelli, Vice President of Promotional Activities at Confindustria Ceramica. "It's a pity we could not build them all."

"The proposal by e+i studio is a clever concept of carving out the functional requirements of the project," said Michael P. Johnson, Principal of Michael P. Johnson Studio and an advisor for the competition. "A landscape of tile-cladded typography 'steps' will successfully draw attention to the booth while the plaza located in the valley between the hills will create a rich experience."

Laurinda Spear, Founding Principal of Arquitectonica, and also an advisor, added, "'Piazza Ceramica' is unique for the way it utilizes the edges of the pavilion. The two corners that have been 'lifted' off the ground provide quick access to the cafés along the corridor, while the embracing central gathering space is reminiscent of a valley within the pavilion."

Tony Leung, an architect based in Hong Kong, was also recognized as a runner-up and will be awarded $1,500 for his undulating exhibit landscape, "Ceramics Carpet."

Ceramics of Italy is now working with the design team at e+i studio to finalize the plans for the pavilion.