ORLANDO, FL -- Each year, the Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition showcases the work of prominent North American architects and designers who use Italian tile in their projects. The annual awards program, sponsored by Confindustria Ceramica (the Association of Italian Ceramics) and the Italian Trade Commission, continues to yield great results going into its 19th year. Submissions to the three categories -- Residential, Commercial/Hospitality and Institutional -- offered excellent and competitive projects for the international jury to consider. After carefully narrowing down the finalists, they have selected a winner and an honorable mention in each category based on the project's functionality, visual appeal, original use of tile and overall design. The winning projects all reflect how the A&D community is using Italian tile to move forward in terms of technology, aesthetics and sustainability.

The recipients of the prize were announced on April 18, 2012 during the Ceramics of Italy press conference at Coverings in Orlando, FL. The winning architects and designers were each awarded $4,000 and a five-day trip to Bologna, Italy, to attend Cersaie 2012 – the international exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings – in the fall. Ceramics of Italy also awarded $1,000 to the contractors and distributors involved in each winning project.