December 29, 2021

Tile of Spain, the association representing more than 100 Spanish tile manufacturers, announces the winners of the 20th-annual Tile of Spain Awards of Architecture and Interior Design. The panel of judges, led by renowned architect Carlos Ferrater founder of the Office of Architecture in Barcelona (OAB), consorted on Nov. 17, 2021, to evaluate the projects submitted into this year’s awards and select a winner in each category.

Winning Projects

Architecture: The new headquarters of the Valencia Construction Sector Employment Foundation by MRM Architects’ Studio 

The new headquarters of the Valencia Construction Sector Employment Foundation is set in an industrial district in Valencia, Spain. In keeping with the region’s physical and cultural backdrop, a decision was taken to use ceramic tiles for the construction of the employment center as this material is one of the Valencia’s flagship manufacturing products. 

The jury praised the use of large-format tiles as a quintessential feature of the building’s façade. They also highlighted the use of a single surface material, applied as an exterior cladding to support the sustainability and hygiene throughout the facilities interior and exterior environments.

Interior Design: Living in a Coderch by Estudio Vilablanch (pictured)

Living in Coderch was a full renovation of an apartment in the emblematic Banco Urquijo building nestled in Barcelona, Spain. During the restoration of the flat, Estudio Vilablanch recaptured the essence of José Antonio Coderch’s architecture and contemporary style.

Here, the jury celebrated the interior design scheme that enhanced the spirit of Coderch’s unique aesthetic. The judging panel also noted the exceptional choice of materials and meticulous care with which the design plan was executed. 

Final Degree Project: Castilla La MaRcha. A resort for Motivated Spain by Gonzalo López Elorriaga (Madrid School of Architecture)

Castilla la MaRcha is a new-wave resort blueprint, devised to revitalize the rural Spanish neighborhood of Peralvillo. The design plan focuses on rejuvenating the vacant town with the leisure and entertainment typically found in highly populated cities.

The jury found Gonzalo López Elorriaga’s proposal to use traditional tiles in a modern and unorthodox setting, ground-breaking. The resort’s design concept focuses on taking guests on a journey through Spain’s past, present and future with the help of strategically placed and thoughtfully designed ceramic installations.

The panel of judges for the 2021 awards was chaired by Barcelona based architect, Carlos Ferrater of OAB. Judging alongside Ferrater was Fermín Vazques, Director of b720, Jamie Sanahuja, Director of Sanahuja & Partners, Alicia Fernándes, Interior Designer at Alicia Fernández Interiorismo, José M^a Marzo Director of Tectónica­ and Ángel Pitarch President of the Colegio Territorial de Arquitectos de Castellón (CTAC).