Article Number: 5424
CEVISAMA 2010 Soars with Smart, Fresh Spanish Innovation
Valencia, Spain – Tile of Spain branded manufacturers set the bar high for ceramic tile design and innovation at the most recent edition of Cevisama, the International Ceramic Tile and Bath Furnishings Show. More than 600 exhibitors from 34 different countries convened for the 28th annual international fair for architectural ceramic which took place, along with the Bathroom and Kitchen Furnishings Show at Feria Valencia, February 9-12. The fair has a long history of drawing large attendance. In 2009, despite economic conditions, Cevisama attracted more than 82,000 visitors from 141 countries.
ASCER (The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufactures’ Association) held an international press conference on Wednesday, February 10th where it discussed the state of the Spanish ceramic tile industry and the corporate focus for 2010 and beyond. Following the conference, the winners of the VIIIth Tile of Spain Awards were acknowledged, with prizes in Architecture, Interior Design and Degree Projects.
Additionally, American journalist Jennifer Adams, editor of Contemporary Stone & Tile Design/BNP Media earned an international award for journalism excellence. She was presented with the award by ASCER president Joaquin Piñon Gaya.
Reign in Spain A&D Tour Among International Presence at Cevisama
Tile of Spain launched the inaugural Reign in Spain A&D Tour with the four architects and designers chosen to participate in Cevisama as representatives of the United States A&D community. The junket explored Granada from Feb. 5-9 to visit sites of modern and ancient architectural significance including:
• El Parque de las Ciencias
• Memoria de Andalucia Museo
• Historic Granada: the Albaicin neighborhood and Cathedral
• Hamman Arab Baths
• The world-famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife
On Feb. 9, the group travelled to Valencia, the business epicenter of Spain’s ceramic tile industry and the venue for Cevisama 2010. On the way, the group stopped in Benidorm, Spain to stroll the new Paseo Marítimo de la Playa Poniente, a spectacular 1.5-kilometer beach promenade designed by architects Carlos Ferrater and Xavier Martí of OAB Studio in Barcelona. The promenade’s unique circular tiles were created in a rainbow of color by Keramia Ceramica. The project was funded by the city of Benidorm as well as the central government of Spain in an effort to revitalize the tourism-dependant Mediterranean city. The project’s architects earned the coveted Tile of Spain Award for Architecture.
The remainder of the trip was dedicated to participating in official Cevisama activities, meeting with a host of Spanish manufacturers and travelling to Castellon for factory tours at Keramia and Grespania.
Technological Innovation
Tile of Spain manufacturers did not disappoint when it came to unveiling the latest innovations:
• Ceracasa, now known for its groundbreaking product Bionictile introduced a complimentary system called Lifewall, a vegetated façade that uses the simple process of photosynthesis to turn carbon dioxide into oxygen. Developed by architect Emilio Llobat of MAQLA ARCHITECTS, AZAHAR ENERGY and CERACASA, Lifewall is a system of panels that are 1 sqm and can hold any vegetation. The plants are watered by drip, optimizing water use while the panels can be placed as part of the design of the facade. Bionictile uses titanium dioxide-infused glazes to combat nitrogen oxide (NOx), the air contaminant responsible for acid rain and a leading cause of climate change and pulmonary diseases. Bionictile turns the pollutant into benign nitrates that can then feed the plants held by Lifewall.
• Inalco showed that its products can be used anywhere in the home by creating a modern villa, called Inalco Casa. Products were used in wide range of interior / exterior, floor / wall, practical and aesthetic applications. “Sensations” is the result of a joint venture between Inalco and architecture studio Bunch, S.L. headed by Sara de la Mata. This collection offers an alternative vision of environmental materials in their purest state. Included in this collection are:
o Art Clay –Art Clay brings the innovation of ceramic tiles within the sphere of art. The surface reproduces an oil-painted canvas and with a clever combination of colors, textures and contrasts, transmit the sensations traditionally associated with works of art.
o Concrete – Produced using IPlus Digital Technology, this series presents an updated, contemporary reinterpretation of concrete. Available in a 23.6” x 23.6” format and natural tones as well as the expected white and grey of concrete.
o Wood – A SlimmKer product that emulates rough, single tone distressed wood. Features two embossed tiles that can be mixed and matched in 23.6” x 47.2”, 11.8” x 47.2”, 7.9 x 47.2”, and 4.3” x x 47.2” formats and white, pearl, khaki and black tones.
Additional new Inalco products include:
o Velina – Part of the SlimmKer Collection, features a gently embossed pattern and a soft satin gloss finish. 17.7” x 35.4” format in colors White, Stone, Camel and Black.
o Mist – Also in the SlimmKer Collection, inspired by elegant wild silk fabrics, the surface takes on the appearance of a gently ribbed fabric with the occasional metallic gloss strand. 17.7” x 35.4” format in colors White, Stone, Camel, Gray, Graphite and Black.
o Pyrene – This 23.6” x 47.2” format series recreates natural black slate using an embossed pattern to reproduce natural cleaving. Inalco is first to use white on black color with IPlus Digital technology to recreate the veining characteristic of the material.
• With terracotta as the cornerstone of Decorativa’s production, the manufacturer continues to combine the ancestral know-how of clay craftsmen with today’s most advanced technology. The Soho Collection offers infinite aesthetic possibilities with a wide range of size, color and format, offering the chance of countless combinations and decorative finishes. The range includes 5.9” x 17.7”, 5.9” x 5.9”, 3” x 5.9”, 2” x 11.8”, 1" x 5.9” and 2” x 5.9”; Mesh of 11.8” x 11.8”, with straight and off-set tesselas; and decors of 5.9” x 5.9” with different surface and texture. Decorative pieces show range of relief including Duna, Pirimide, Tente and Bolas. Soho is offered in two chromatic groups: Black and White, integrating black, white, silver and gold; and Interiors, including white, beige, light gray, dark gray and wengué.
• Roca introduced Broadway, a 15 mm porcelain tile, in addition to showing new extensions of its Top Green Collection, which utilizes 80% pre-consumer recycled material, and Skintech, a 5 mm slim tile. Broadway offers durability, excellent slip resistance and technical performance making it ideal for any indoor or outdoor installation and for exterior public areas with high traffic such as swimming pools, retail and hospitality zones, public areas, urban exteriors, stairs and ramps. Its thicker size also allows drilling for LED lighting projects.
• Alcalaten offers the beauty of natural stone with Skabos and Tempus Red. The inkjet printing technology used to produce these series enables a wide range of variation in the same model. Available in several finishes -matte, gloss and tumbled- allows this product to adapt for use on walls and floor. Formats include 18"x18", 13"x13", 12"x24", 6"x6" and complimentary pieces.
• Apavisa’s Iridio collection is based on the union of semi-precious stones, metals and stone, making a new, high technical porcelain. This collection allows unique, sophisticated spaces, with the play of light and glint of metal. Available in black and gray, 23.6” x 23.6”, 11.8” x 23.6” size and semi-polished finish Also includes special pieces like 1” x 1” mosaics monochrome and mixed in a combination of a exclusive glass (gold and metal) for each color.
• TAU’s Afterdark project marks the first intelligent, photo-luminescent, highly resistant ceramic material designed for architecture, urban development and avant-garde interior design projects. The tile’s appearance varies depending on the intensity of the light it is exposed to. It phosphorescent effect creates an array of lights and shadows in private and public spaces, exterior surfaces and façades, leisure and commercial premises. Its application is especially relevant in urban settings and public spaces, as the light emitted can be used in metro stations, streets, shopping centers, discotechs and cinemas. It can also be utilized in emergency situation such as blackouts. Afterdark facilitates energy efficiency by accumulating light in order to subsequently release it at specific time periods which can represent major energy savings. TAU Advanced recruited a multi-disciplinary team of experts to apply cutting-edge progress in optics to create this intelligent ceramic tile. The pigments used for photo-luminescent effect represent a total revolution, since its composition and application are harmless to the environment.
• TAU Group’s subsidiary Porcelanatto, announced a partnership with prestigious international designer Karim Rashid in an line called NO-Stalgia. Rashid’s portfolio includes some of the most avant-garde projects in the world’s leading hotels, restaurants, public spaces, commercial and residential complexes. The four collections are created in a 23.6” x 23.6” format and four colors each. Using sinuously geometric forms and intricate lines to create impressive optical effects, they showcase a pioneering design concept in the international ceramic sector. The collections include Sensory (Grey, Nude, Pink, Blue), Poetic (Blue, Aura, Pink, Midnight), Emotion (Fire Orange, Grey, Lime, Carbon) and Desire (Violet, Jet, Grey, Lime).
• Saloni presents Ecotrend collection, designed by Roberto Verino. Inspired by environmental issues and climate change, it showcases ceramic tile as a sustainable material with an important role to play in the future of the planet. Ecotrend marks the continuation of a successful joint venture with Verino, now in its ninth year, yielding seven collections. Verino has created floor tiles inspired by wooden planks that form eye-catching contrasts with uncovered brick walls or iron girders. For walls, they have created tiles that are reminiscent of cement. This large format 17.7” x 35.4” collection in thru-body porcelain features a choice of two patterns for floor tiles and two for wall tiles, accompanied by soft floral motifs and elegant glass mosaics.
• Ceramica Elias offers a variety of products manufactured through both handmade practices and contemporary innovation. The various grades of roughness and flamed surface differ in each tile, enabling Elias to create beautiful, warm atmospheres for both interiors and exteriors. The Proven?a Series appears as an aged, worn product with a very rustic appearance. Available in three colors to evoke the look of traditional terracotta fired in moruno kilns, where products were partly burnt, under-fired and well-fired, depending on kiln conditions.
• Keraben introduced the Urban Collection, a compact and resilient porcelain material that’s highly technical with strong aesthetic value. The technical properties make it highly resistant to scratches, heavy wear and tear and stress. With 80% recycled material recovered during the production process for water, clay, combustible energy and raw materials, Urban also offers unique applications for sustainable architecture, ventilated facades and elevated technical floors. These unglazed, impervious porcelain paver tiles guarantee high-performance and safety features as well as versatility with six colors, six formats and two finishes.
• Plaza Quartz Slate Rust series is inspired by a craggy rock face, Quartz Slate comes in sand, grey and rust tone in a 12” x 12”, 12” x 24” and 18” x 18” format. Plaza also showed Mika, which gives the appearance of stacked natural rock. In similar tones of sand and grey, this series can easily be combined with the Quartz Slate Collection.
• Natucer earned the Alfa De Plato Award for its new architectural collection LifeArq, innovative wall solutions for architecture and urban environments. A study of light and space resulted in four classes of ceramic, each with a specific characteristic and function designed to satisfy the needs of the construction and design markets for an active and dynamic society. They include:
o Bamboo, narrow porcelain columns in a variety of colors that when grouped together create a sunshade or can be used for architectural solutions. Colors include Frost, Dark, Crimson, Yolk and Gem. Format is 3.1” diameter x 11.5” and 3.1” diameter x 2.8”.
o Ivy – In a 2.2” x 7.1” format, these special pieces can be stacked using an internal steel support structure to create a partially shaded wall or even an outdoor enclosure.
o Scale - Offers a ceramic siding alternative with gently overlapping edges in format 13.8” x 3.9” in colors Frost, Lead, Grizzly and Dark.
o Channel – Offers another exterior façade application but with more angular approach. Formats include 2.5” x 14.2”, 3.5” x 14.2” and 4.5” x 14.2”.
• Dune, known for its interplay of ceramics and fashion trends, showed an expansion of its popular Megalos wall and floor tile range including 3D which uses spectacular ceramic relief in 11.8” x 23.6” format. The Living Series offers ceramic bases in 11.8” x 23.6” format with decorations in colors white, silver and cashmere. New ceramic mosaics are presented in the series 3-D, Xtra Deco and Porcelanic mosaics that are appropriate both for floor and wall use.
• Pamesa offered several new collections to the crowd at Cevisama. Moods offers unrivaled versatility with a palette of 10 colors in 7.9” x 23.6” red body format. They also showcased their latest digital printing capability with the introduction of the look of onyx, marble and stone. Rodas, Magna and Leptis in 11” x 33.5” formats show the beauty of natural materials combined with the technical aspects of porcelain stoneware.
The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER) is the private organization whose primary objective is to support Spain’s ceramic tile manufacturers and the industry as a whole by stewarding and promoting the Tile of Spain brand worldwide. A strong global leader, the ceramic tile industry of Spain comprises 220 manufacturers concentrated primarily in the province of Castellón.
For more about tile produced in Spain, contact Tile of Spain Center at the Trade Commission of Spain, 2655 Le Jeune Road, Suite 1114, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Call 305-446-4387 or visit www.spaintiles.info.
ASCER (The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufactures’ Association) held an international press conference on Wednesday, February 10th where it discussed the state of the Spanish ceramic tile industry and the corporate focus for 2010 and beyond. Following the conference, the winners of the VIIIth Tile of Spain Awards were acknowledged, with prizes in Architecture, Interior Design and Degree Projects.
Additionally, American journalist Jennifer Adams, editor of Contemporary Stone & Tile Design/BNP Media earned an international award for journalism excellence. She was presented with the award by ASCER president Joaquin Piñon Gaya.
Reign in Spain A&D Tour Among International Presence at Cevisama
Tile of Spain launched the inaugural Reign in Spain A&D Tour with the four architects and designers chosen to participate in Cevisama as representatives of the United States A&D community. The junket explored Granada from Feb. 5-9 to visit sites of modern and ancient architectural significance including:
• El Parque de las Ciencias
• Memoria de Andalucia Museo
• Historic Granada: the Albaicin neighborhood and Cathedral
• Hamman Arab Baths
• The world-famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife
On Feb. 9, the group travelled to Valencia, the business epicenter of Spain’s ceramic tile industry and the venue for Cevisama 2010. On the way, the group stopped in Benidorm, Spain to stroll the new Paseo Marítimo de la Playa Poniente, a spectacular 1.5-kilometer beach promenade designed by architects Carlos Ferrater and Xavier Martí of OAB Studio in Barcelona. The promenade’s unique circular tiles were created in a rainbow of color by Keramia Ceramica. The project was funded by the city of Benidorm as well as the central government of Spain in an effort to revitalize the tourism-dependant Mediterranean city. The project’s architects earned the coveted Tile of Spain Award for Architecture.
The remainder of the trip was dedicated to participating in official Cevisama activities, meeting with a host of Spanish manufacturers and travelling to Castellon for factory tours at Keramia and Grespania.
Technological Innovation
Tile of Spain manufacturers did not disappoint when it came to unveiling the latest innovations:
• Ceracasa, now known for its groundbreaking product Bionictile introduced a complimentary system called Lifewall, a vegetated façade that uses the simple process of photosynthesis to turn carbon dioxide into oxygen. Developed by architect Emilio Llobat of MAQLA ARCHITECTS, AZAHAR ENERGY and CERACASA, Lifewall is a system of panels that are 1 sqm and can hold any vegetation. The plants are watered by drip, optimizing water use while the panels can be placed as part of the design of the facade. Bionictile uses titanium dioxide-infused glazes to combat nitrogen oxide (NOx), the air contaminant responsible for acid rain and a leading cause of climate change and pulmonary diseases. Bionictile turns the pollutant into benign nitrates that can then feed the plants held by Lifewall.
• Inalco showed that its products can be used anywhere in the home by creating a modern villa, called Inalco Casa. Products were used in wide range of interior / exterior, floor / wall, practical and aesthetic applications. “Sensations” is the result of a joint venture between Inalco and architecture studio Bunch, S.L. headed by Sara de la Mata. This collection offers an alternative vision of environmental materials in their purest state. Included in this collection are:
o Art Clay –Art Clay brings the innovation of ceramic tiles within the sphere of art. The surface reproduces an oil-painted canvas and with a clever combination of colors, textures and contrasts, transmit the sensations traditionally associated with works of art.
o Concrete – Produced using IPlus Digital Technology, this series presents an updated, contemporary reinterpretation of concrete. Available in a 23.6” x 23.6” format and natural tones as well as the expected white and grey of concrete.
o Wood – A SlimmKer product that emulates rough, single tone distressed wood. Features two embossed tiles that can be mixed and matched in 23.6” x 47.2”, 11.8” x 47.2”, 7.9 x 47.2”, and 4.3” x x 47.2” formats and white, pearl, khaki and black tones.
Additional new Inalco products include:
o Velina – Part of the SlimmKer Collection, features a gently embossed pattern and a soft satin gloss finish. 17.7” x 35.4” format in colors White, Stone, Camel and Black.
o Mist – Also in the SlimmKer Collection, inspired by elegant wild silk fabrics, the surface takes on the appearance of a gently ribbed fabric with the occasional metallic gloss strand. 17.7” x 35.4” format in colors White, Stone, Camel, Gray, Graphite and Black.
o Pyrene – This 23.6” x 47.2” format series recreates natural black slate using an embossed pattern to reproduce natural cleaving. Inalco is first to use white on black color with IPlus Digital technology to recreate the veining characteristic of the material.
• With terracotta as the cornerstone of Decorativa’s production, the manufacturer continues to combine the ancestral know-how of clay craftsmen with today’s most advanced technology. The Soho Collection offers infinite aesthetic possibilities with a wide range of size, color and format, offering the chance of countless combinations and decorative finishes. The range includes 5.9” x 17.7”, 5.9” x 5.9”, 3” x 5.9”, 2” x 11.8”, 1" x 5.9” and 2” x 5.9”; Mesh of 11.8” x 11.8”, with straight and off-set tesselas; and decors of 5.9” x 5.9” with different surface and texture. Decorative pieces show range of relief including Duna, Pirimide, Tente and Bolas. Soho is offered in two chromatic groups: Black and White, integrating black, white, silver and gold; and Interiors, including white, beige, light gray, dark gray and wengué.
• Roca introduced Broadway, a 15 mm porcelain tile, in addition to showing new extensions of its Top Green Collection, which utilizes 80% pre-consumer recycled material, and Skintech, a 5 mm slim tile. Broadway offers durability, excellent slip resistance and technical performance making it ideal for any indoor or outdoor installation and for exterior public areas with high traffic such as swimming pools, retail and hospitality zones, public areas, urban exteriors, stairs and ramps. Its thicker size also allows drilling for LED lighting projects.
• Alcalaten offers the beauty of natural stone with Skabos and Tempus Red. The inkjet printing technology used to produce these series enables a wide range of variation in the same model. Available in several finishes -matte, gloss and tumbled- allows this product to adapt for use on walls and floor. Formats include 18"x18", 13"x13", 12"x24", 6"x6" and complimentary pieces.
• Apavisa’s Iridio collection is based on the union of semi-precious stones, metals and stone, making a new, high technical porcelain. This collection allows unique, sophisticated spaces, with the play of light and glint of metal. Available in black and gray, 23.6” x 23.6”, 11.8” x 23.6” size and semi-polished finish Also includes special pieces like 1” x 1” mosaics monochrome and mixed in a combination of a exclusive glass (gold and metal) for each color.
• TAU’s Afterdark project marks the first intelligent, photo-luminescent, highly resistant ceramic material designed for architecture, urban development and avant-garde interior design projects. The tile’s appearance varies depending on the intensity of the light it is exposed to. It phosphorescent effect creates an array of lights and shadows in private and public spaces, exterior surfaces and façades, leisure and commercial premises. Its application is especially relevant in urban settings and public spaces, as the light emitted can be used in metro stations, streets, shopping centers, discotechs and cinemas. It can also be utilized in emergency situation such as blackouts. Afterdark facilitates energy efficiency by accumulating light in order to subsequently release it at specific time periods which can represent major energy savings. TAU Advanced recruited a multi-disciplinary team of experts to apply cutting-edge progress in optics to create this intelligent ceramic tile. The pigments used for photo-luminescent effect represent a total revolution, since its composition and application are harmless to the environment.
• TAU Group’s subsidiary Porcelanatto, announced a partnership with prestigious international designer Karim Rashid in an line called NO-Stalgia. Rashid’s portfolio includes some of the most avant-garde projects in the world’s leading hotels, restaurants, public spaces, commercial and residential complexes. The four collections are created in a 23.6” x 23.6” format and four colors each. Using sinuously geometric forms and intricate lines to create impressive optical effects, they showcase a pioneering design concept in the international ceramic sector. The collections include Sensory (Grey, Nude, Pink, Blue), Poetic (Blue, Aura, Pink, Midnight), Emotion (Fire Orange, Grey, Lime, Carbon) and Desire (Violet, Jet, Grey, Lime).
• Saloni presents Ecotrend collection, designed by Roberto Verino. Inspired by environmental issues and climate change, it showcases ceramic tile as a sustainable material with an important role to play in the future of the planet. Ecotrend marks the continuation of a successful joint venture with Verino, now in its ninth year, yielding seven collections. Verino has created floor tiles inspired by wooden planks that form eye-catching contrasts with uncovered brick walls or iron girders. For walls, they have created tiles that are reminiscent of cement. This large format 17.7” x 35.4” collection in thru-body porcelain features a choice of two patterns for floor tiles and two for wall tiles, accompanied by soft floral motifs and elegant glass mosaics.
• Ceramica Elias offers a variety of products manufactured through both handmade practices and contemporary innovation. The various grades of roughness and flamed surface differ in each tile, enabling Elias to create beautiful, warm atmospheres for both interiors and exteriors. The Proven?a Series appears as an aged, worn product with a very rustic appearance. Available in three colors to evoke the look of traditional terracotta fired in moruno kilns, where products were partly burnt, under-fired and well-fired, depending on kiln conditions.
• Keraben introduced the Urban Collection, a compact and resilient porcelain material that’s highly technical with strong aesthetic value. The technical properties make it highly resistant to scratches, heavy wear and tear and stress. With 80% recycled material recovered during the production process for water, clay, combustible energy and raw materials, Urban also offers unique applications for sustainable architecture, ventilated facades and elevated technical floors. These unglazed, impervious porcelain paver tiles guarantee high-performance and safety features as well as versatility with six colors, six formats and two finishes.
• Plaza Quartz Slate Rust series is inspired by a craggy rock face, Quartz Slate comes in sand, grey and rust tone in a 12” x 12”, 12” x 24” and 18” x 18” format. Plaza also showed Mika, which gives the appearance of stacked natural rock. In similar tones of sand and grey, this series can easily be combined with the Quartz Slate Collection.
• Natucer earned the Alfa De Plato Award for its new architectural collection LifeArq, innovative wall solutions for architecture and urban environments. A study of light and space resulted in four classes of ceramic, each with a specific characteristic and function designed to satisfy the needs of the construction and design markets for an active and dynamic society. They include:
o Bamboo, narrow porcelain columns in a variety of colors that when grouped together create a sunshade or can be used for architectural solutions. Colors include Frost, Dark, Crimson, Yolk and Gem. Format is 3.1” diameter x 11.5” and 3.1” diameter x 2.8”.
o Ivy – In a 2.2” x 7.1” format, these special pieces can be stacked using an internal steel support structure to create a partially shaded wall or even an outdoor enclosure.
o Scale - Offers a ceramic siding alternative with gently overlapping edges in format 13.8” x 3.9” in colors Frost, Lead, Grizzly and Dark.
o Channel – Offers another exterior façade application but with more angular approach. Formats include 2.5” x 14.2”, 3.5” x 14.2” and 4.5” x 14.2”.
• Dune, known for its interplay of ceramics and fashion trends, showed an expansion of its popular Megalos wall and floor tile range including 3D which uses spectacular ceramic relief in 11.8” x 23.6” format. The Living Series offers ceramic bases in 11.8” x 23.6” format with decorations in colors white, silver and cashmere. New ceramic mosaics are presented in the series 3-D, Xtra Deco and Porcelanic mosaics that are appropriate both for floor and wall use.
• Pamesa offered several new collections to the crowd at Cevisama. Moods offers unrivaled versatility with a palette of 10 colors in 7.9” x 23.6” red body format. They also showcased their latest digital printing capability with the introduction of the look of onyx, marble and stone. Rodas, Magna and Leptis in 11” x 33.5” formats show the beauty of natural materials combined with the technical aspects of porcelain stoneware.
The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER) is the private organization whose primary objective is to support Spain’s ceramic tile manufacturers and the industry as a whole by stewarding and promoting the Tile of Spain brand worldwide. A strong global leader, the ceramic tile industry of Spain comprises 220 manufacturers concentrated primarily in the province of Castellón.
For more about tile produced in Spain, contact Tile of Spain Center at the Trade Commission of Spain, 2655 Le Jeune Road, Suite 1114, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Call 305-446-4387 or visit www.spaintiles.info.
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