Ceramics’ Grand Prix

The tenth edition of the Casalgrande Padana Grand Prix came to an end with the awards ceremony, which was held in the Aula Magna of the IUAV University of Venice, in the historical Tolentini Complex, in the presence of representatives from the world of architecture and key figures from the design, critique, university and communication sectors. Over 150 designers went through to the final stage of the competition, from all over the world. Testimony to this are the very places in which the winning projects were built: South Africa, Qatar, Peru, Russia, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland, France and Italy.

In the Shopping and Office Centres section, first prize went to Zoltán Kun – Kunyho Épitésziroda kft for Klauzal Market – Budapest, Hungary; second prize went to Boleslaw Stelmach – Stelmach i Partnerzy Biuro Architektoniczne Sp. Zo.o. for Zamkowe Tarasy Gallery – Lublin, Poland; and third prize went to Anthony Orelowitz, Vivien Yun, Amir Livneh – Paragon Architects for 115 West Street, Johannesburg – South Africa. 

  Klauzal Market is a sophisticated restructuring project of an old covered market, where the existing structure is enhanced by the ceramic flooring. This gives the original tiling a contemporary feel via the almost surgical use of small-format components. The graphic pattern and colour combinations have been meticulously selected, with the layout creating a web of connections between the various elements, adding emphasis to columns, walkways, entrances and functional areas.

In the Shopping and Office Centres section, first prize went to Zoltán Kun, Kunyho Épitésziroda kft for Klauzal Market – Budapest, Hungary; second prize went to Boleslaw Stelmach – Stelmach i Partnerzy Biuro Architektoniczne Sp. Zo.o. for Zamkowe Tarasy Gallery – Lublin, Poland; and third prize went to Anthony Orelowitz, Vivien Yun, Amir Livneh – Paragon Architects for 115 West Street, Johannesburg – South Africa. 

  Advancing an original compositional research on black forms, Peia Associati designed the Sky Lounge Bar starting from small superficial variations of glossy/matte finishes. They are accented by vibrant effects generated by oblique lights.

In the Residential Buildings section, first prize went to Jacopo Mascheroni – JM Architecture for Montebar Villa – Medeglia, Canton of Ticino, Switzerland; second prize went to Rafael Freyre – Arquitectura Rafael Freyre for Casa Azpitia – Mala, Peru; and third prize went to Alain Demarquette for Aimant si passion – Le Touquet, France. 

  This project expertly interprets the concept of the home with a pitched roof – in accordance with building regulations – with a markedly contemporary approach. There is an unusual, experimental solution adopted for the ceramic cladding, which entirely covers each vertical and inclined surface to create a monolithic, mono-material and monochrome architectural style – one that blends in flawlessly with its natural surroundings. The structure itself and the meticulous attention to the finer details mean that the compositional, performance-based and application potential of the cutting-edge porcelain stoneware used is fully realised.

In the Façade Coverings, External Flooring category, first prize went to 5+1AA Alfonso Femia, Gianluca Peluffo – Agenzia di Architettura Srl for three projects: Docks - Marseille, France; IULM 6 – International University of Languages and Media, Milan, Italy; Life – New Residential Quarter in the former Draco Area, Brescia, Italy; second prize went to Labics – Maria Claudia Clemente, Francesco Isidori for MAST Manifattura Arti, Sperimentazione e Tecnologia – Bologna, Italy; whilst third prize went to Roberto Drigo – Studio Drigo for BID-ON FASHION – Shoes Store – Fossalta di Portogruaro, Venice, Italy.

  The architectural and technological quality, paired with the scale and importance of the works presented by the 5+1AA studio, are testament to the depth of the collaboration launched by the designers and company to devise and develop innovative solutions packed with content. This journey of research and experimentation starts from the consolidated relationship between the quantity and quality of industrialised ceramic production, introducing creative, innovative morphological elements and laying techniques, which help to activate a process which substantially elevates the objectives of the project and the product. The panel would like to place particular emphasis on the sophisticated reclamation and functional renovation project of the Marseille Docks, a large port storage complex that straddles the boundary between architectural work and art installation, where ceramics occupy a starring role via two differing applications. Finally a special prize was awarded in the Swimming Pools section to Alessandra Raso, Matteo Raso – Cliostraat for the New Swimming Stadium at the Parco della Gioventù Sports Complex – Cuneo, Italy.