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[April 2006]
Florim Ceramiche Wins Grand Prize for Booth Design at Coverings 2006
Florim Ceramiche SpA earned the Grand Prize in the annual booth design competition at Coverings 2006, leading a group of seven exhibitors who were judged Best in Show. The others who also received design accolades were: Cotto D’Este SpA, Ege Seramik America, Etruria Design Srl, Lamosa Revestimientos, Oceanside Glasstile and Tau Ceramica.
Florim, the Italian umbrella corporation for a multi-brand operation that includes Esquire, Cerim, Floor Gres, American Florim and Rex Chez Moi, is a highly regarded source for premium porcelain tile products for both residential and contract use. The outstanding design of the firm’s extraordinary booth, with its emphasis on space and organisational logic, clarity of presentation and sophisticated materials, reflected the firm’s values of superior design, exceptional quality and innovative technology. A vast exterior structure with a corrugated exterior contained an open pavilion with five zones dedicated to the display of the five brands.
Cotto D’Este SpA, the Italian manufacturer celebrated for its unglazed ceramic tiles, as well as its fabulous glazed products for all types of interior and exterior use, featured a classic, open-plan booth in basic, always elegant black, white and grey. The black-faced panels on the exterior sported the firm’s logotype in chrome, and a suspended crown moulding overhead gave the booth a distinctive presence among its neighbours.
Ege Seramik America, one of Turkey’s leading sources of ceramic and glazed porcelain tile for floors, walls, and trims, has been operating in the United States for more than 12 years. The firm garnered recognition for taking the direct approach to product presentation and for providing visitors with easy circulation through the sleek, contemporary space. Frosted and clear glass framed the entrance, with panels of screen-printed mesh forming additional perimeter walls.
Etruria Design, the Modena based manufacturer of double-fired wall tiles, mosaics, borders and trims, created a jewel box of a space to display its new product introductions. A crystal chandelier with additional drops of the firm’s new ceramic mouldings took pride of place, while glass cases on pedestals showed off the new black and white tile designs.
Lamosa Revestimientos, a leading Mexican manufacturer of all sorts of rustic, glazed and quarry tiles, as well as decorative trims and accents for commercial and residential applications, received kudos for its adventurous, architecturally-inspired white structure and its multi-dimensional core for product display. The booth interior included areas on several levels, a central core with section after section of atmospheric display and a tiled, wave-like, wall-hung bench for ornament.
Oceanside Glasstile, the California based manufacturer of art glass made with 85% recycled bottle glass, grabbed the jury’s attention for its lovely, nature-informed environment, which was crafted to display the firm’s newest line, Terrain. Long swaths of fabric wrapped the display space and divided the shimmering booth interior. Artfully placed bunches of bamboo framed the entry and enlivened the exhibition floor.
Tau Ceramica, the Castellon, Spain based manufacturer of glass, porcelain, metallic and ceramic tiles and trims now on the verge of its 40th anniversary, was acknowledged for smart presentation and elegant product presentation. With a prominent logotype on one side announcing its presence and fabric banners on the opposite side, doing the same, the booth was clearly marked and easily accessible. A clever set of display wings, set into pockets, allowed for particularly efficient use of space.
In announcing the 2006 Booth Design winners, Tamara Christian, Coverings Show Director and President of National Trade Productions, said: "Some of the constructions and spaces that are created for Coverings to showcase the ceramic tiles and stones and make sure the products are the stars are mind-blowing. Year after year we continue to marvel at how ingenious and brilliant these designs are and how much planning and painstaking labor go into actually mounting them for the four-day show. The Awards are an acknowledgment of this enormous undertaking and a show of appreciation to our exhibitors for their unstinting participation."
In 2007, Coverings is set for 17-20 April and moves to Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center, IL, USA.
www.coverings.com
ENDS