Tile of Spain Awards 2024 celebrate architecture and design excellence
Hosted by ASCER in Castellón
ASCER, the Spanish Ceramic Tiles Manufacturers’ Association, hosted the 23rd edition of the Tile of Spain Awards for Architecture, Interior Design, and Master’s Thesis Projects on November 23, 2024, at the association’s headquarters in Castellón, Spain.
Chaired by renowned architect Rafael de la Hoz, a distinguished jury, including architect José González Gallegos from Aranguren+Gallegos; Jonathan Arnabat and Jordi Ayala-Bril from Arquitectura G; David Quesada, editor-in-chief of Arquitectura y Diseños magazine; and Susana Babiloni, architect and Chairwoman of the Castellón Architects’ Association assessed this year’s entries.
The Tile of Spain Awards awarded a monetary prize of €15,000 for each of the first prizes in the architecture and interior design categories and €5,000 in the category for architecture students.
Architecture Prize: A Circular Viewpoint
In a unanimous decision, the jury awarded the first prize in the Architecture category to Javier López Bautista’s project, A Circular Viewpoint. The jury commended the project’s thoughtful integration of tile materials that foster a deep connection between people and the natural environment.
The project creates an evocative panoramic view through its carefully crafted layout, allowing visitors to experience the surrounding landscape in a new light. The use of tiles was praised for enhancing the physical and emotional experience of the space, blurring the boundaries between built structures and the earth beneath.
Interior Design Prize: Hill House
Hill House by StudioNOLET was awarded the first prize in the Interior Design category. The jury was impressed by the project’s bold use of geometry and colour, rejecting uniformity in favour of dynamic, expressive design.
The tiles, which not only clad surfaces but also formed fixed pieces of furniture, were highlighted for their versatility and contribution to the distinctive character of the interior spaces. The project’s innovative use of materials showcased the creative potential of ceramics in modern interior design.
Master’s Thesis Project: A Post-Extractivist Retreat
The Master’s Thesis Project prize went to Álvaro Pozo Pérez from CEU San Pablo University in Madrid for his thesis, A Post-Extractivist Retreat: A Spa and Leisure Centre in Sierra de la Culebra.
The jury applauded Pozo Pérez’s skilful use of tiles, which were employed like scales to solve complex geometric challenges. The project stands out for its sustainable approach, using agricultural and fisheries waste to generate energy and promoting an eco-friendly vision of leisure and well-being. Integrating sustainable design principles with ceramic materials demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to architecture and environmental responsibility.
Special Mentions
The jury also awarded special mentions in the Architecture category to two projects:
Dosmurs House by Mesura Arquitectura was recognised for its sensitivity and simplicity. Ceramic materials enclose a volume that opens to the landscape with minimalistic elegance.
Camino de baldosas amarillas (Yellow Brick Road) by La Errería received praise for its clever use of a single material to unify the entire project. The tiles guided visitors to the hermitage and were used for paving benches, stairs, and walls along the route, creating a harmonious journey.
In the Interior Design category, special mentions were awarded to:
A Home in Guardamar del Segura by Bernardo Cerrato Hernández impressed the jury by integrating ceramic tiles into striking architectural spaces, highlighting the material’s inherent simplicity.
Home 9/3 by CAVAA Arquitectes, which was commended for revitalising traditional decorative practices while skilfully zoning the space using ceramic tiles.
Master’s Thesis Project Special Mention
Tais Gianella Guevara Lima from CEU San Pablo University in Madrid received a special mention in the Master’s Thesis Project category for her project A Sensory Refuge.
The jury lauded the careful integration of ceramic tiles with other building materials in the project’s roof and floor, demonstrating a deep understanding of materiality and design cohesion.
ASCER initiative
Hosted annually by ASCER, the Tile of Spain Awards spotlights the innovative use of Spanish ceramic tiles in architecture and interior design. It recognises projects that push the boundaries of design while respecting the material’s traditional roots and promotes the use of Spanish ceramic tiles in domestic and international projects.
The prestigious event is renowned in the architectural community, attracting top professionals and students alike.
The 23rd edition of the Tile of Spain Awards was sponsored by the Valencia Port Authority, Torrecid, and PwC Spain, with the support of the Ministry for Tax, the Economy, and the Public Administration of the Valencian Government under ASCER’s framework.
Hero image: Architecture first prize: A Circular Viewpoint. Image credit: Oleh Kardash
