The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers' Association (ASCER) is launching the eighth edition of the Tile of Spain Awards of Architecture and Interior Design competition. The awards are made in recognition of projects that best reflect the development of Spanish ceramic tiles in cutting edge architecture. The deadline for project submissions is October 30, 2009.

The awards have a total prize fund of 60,000 Euros (approximately $85,000 U.S.) for the three categories. The two main categories of the Tile of Spain Awards are Architecture and Interior Design, with each prize being 20,000 Euros (approximately $28,000 U.S). Apart from the prize fund for the first prize in these two main categories, there is also 10,000 Euros (approximately $14,000 U.S.) assigned for Special Mentions in any of the categories, according to the opinion of the jury members. There is also a Degree Projects category, which is a competition for students of architecture, and has a prize fund of 10,000 Euros (approximately $14,000 U.S.). The Awards are sponsored by Vodafone España, Gas Natural and the Valencia Port Authority.

Some of the projects distinguished in the latest editions of the Tile of Spain Awards in the architecture category have been: The Spanish Pavilion at Expo Zaragoza 2008 by Francisco Mangado; the Castilla La Mancha Archives in Toledo by Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra; the rehabilitation of Santa Caterina Market in Barcelona by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue; the refurbishment of San Vicente Street in Burriana by José Durán; and the Congress Palace in Peñíscola by Ángela García de Paredes and Ignacio García Pedrosa.

Among the basic requirement of the competition is that entry projects use floor and/or wall tiles made in Spain as a significant material in the structure of the building. Both participants and works can be international.

The Architecture category of the Tile of Spain Awards gives recognition to work undertaken in the discipline in the context of new construction, renovation and restoration of existing buildings, urban redevelopment and outdoor landscaping. The Interior Design category singles out the best work in decorating the interior of a new building, decoration in renovation and restoration projects and the decoration of spaces created for temporary purposes.

This year the jury will be chaired by the prestigious architect William J. R. Curtis, a renowned critic of international art who received his Ph.D. from Harvard University. He has taught architecture at universities in the U.S. as well as the Architectural Association in London, Sydney, Mexico and Spain. Additional judges include: Martha Thorne, architect and executive director of the Pritzker Awards; architect Carme Pinós; architect Ramón Vilalta of RCR Arquitectes; architect Juan Domingo Santos; architect Ramón Monfort; and interior designer Francesc Rifé.

All entry forms and material should be mailed to ASCER's offices at:
ASCER (Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association)
Ginjols, 3
12003 Castellón (SPAIN)
For complete rules and more information, please visit:
http://www.spaintiles.info/mediacenter/awards