Stone & Tile Industry NewsStone & Tile Products

Ceramic Tiles of Italy heads to Dwell on Design

NEW YORK, NY -- For the third year in a row, Ceramic Tiles of Italy will connect with design trade and savvy consumers on the West Coast at Dwell on Design, which will be held from June 24 to 26,2011 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. Sponsored by the Italian Trade Commission and Confindustria Ceramica (the Italian Association of Ceramics), the Ceramic Tiles of Italy booth will feature sustainable and design-forward collections from its leading manufacturers. As part of this year's exhibit, the association will host two seminars focused on sustainable characteristics of ceramic tile in two cutting-edge residential case studies, Kona Residence and ReVISION House.

"Dwell on Design has proved to be an important opportunity for Italian manufacturers to connect with L.A.'s vibrant A&D community face to face," said Aniello Musella, Trade Commissioner and Executive Director for the U.S. Italian Trade Commission.

Franco Manfredini, President of Confindustria Ceramica added, "The West Coast remains a critically important market for us since sustainable materials and energy-saving technologies are top of mind for architects and designers there."

This year, as a show sponsor, the institutional exhibit (booth #1045) will feature contemporary collections from 19 leading Italian ceramic tile manufacturers. From wood and marble looks to graffiti art and patchwork details, the Ceramic Tiles of Italy booth will show off the newest designs in ceramic and porcelain tile. Tile experts will be in the booth to share the latest sustainable advancements in tile and give out promotional materials, including the CTI Green Card, which lists 10 sustainable attributes of tile as well as a list of tile dealers in the local area.

To exemplify the association's commitment to sustainability, Ceramic Tiles of Italy will sponsor two seminars on the Sustainability Stage on Friday, June 24 from 3 to 3:25 p.m. and Saturday, June 25 from 11:30 to 11:55 a.m.

On Friday, June 24, Ceramic Tiles of Italy Design Competition winner Hagy Belzberg of Belzberg Architects will present: "Italian Porcelains on the Edge. Case Study: Kona House." While the Kona Residence in Kona, HI, features many "green" qualities, including a sophisticated water catchment system, photovoltaic panels and teak siding, the focus of this case study will be the choice of Italian porcelain tile used throughout the home. Floor Gres was chosen because of its high performance in harsh environments, and its ability to withstand the extreme sun, chemicals from the local volcano and sea salt.

On Saturday, June 25, Ron Jones, sustainability expert and Editorial Director of GreenBuilder, will present "Sustainable Ceramics. Case Study: ReVision House." The presentation on this energy-saving retrofit home, designed by Patricia Gaylor, will focus on ceramic tile used throughout the Orlando, FL, home because of its durability, lifespan, non-toxic emissions and resistance to extreme weather conditions.

After Dwell on Design, Ceramic Tiles of Italy will start to prepare for Cersaie -- one of the world's largest exhibition of ceramic tiles and bathroom furnishings -- which will be held from September 20 to 24, 2011 in Bologna, Italy.