Winners of the sixth ‘THE QUINQUENNIAL TILE AWARD’

Five projects from five different countries. Concrete examples of the potential of porcelain stoneware in residential, industrial and hospitality applications. A journey through architecture and design with Monocibec, Century and Naxos ceramics

The sixth edition of the international competition The Quinquennial Tile Award, organised by Fincibec Group with the aim of highlighting works of architecture and design created with ceramic surfaces from Monocibec, Century and Naxos, the three companies of the group, has come to an end.

The expert panel awarded first place to House Jonker, a private home built on the Oubaai Golf Estate in George, South Africa. Designed by architect Yvette Buitendag of Buitendag Architecture Firm, this villa is located next to Herolds Bay, one of the most characteristic spots on the famous Garden Route, and enjoys a 180° view of the Indian Ocean. The authenticity of the place was preserved through stringent eco-friendly practices and allowed the development of an architecture integrated into nature, which is rich in wildlife in the surrounding area. Century’s Uptown porcelain stoneware was used to harmonise interiors and exteriors with the distinctive colour palette of the surrounding landscape. The immersive effect in the natural and cultural context of the area is completed by the extreme attention paid to the interior design choices by Marie LeRoux De Lange. The photographic documentation of the project was curated by Divvie Maritz.

 

Second place for the Zschimmer & Schwarz Group’s new headquarters in Lahnstein, near Koblenz, Germany. This chemical company has over 125 years of history and customers all over the world. They opted for Century Glam ceramic finishes in Anthracite to characterise the design of the building, which also includes a conference centre and canteen for employees. The large windows, the natural lighting and the close connection with the outdoor spaces pushed the designers towards a floor that combined safety and practicality of porcelain stoneware with specific aesthetic requirements, in synergy with the values the company conveys through their activity, with innovation seen as a means of making people’s lives safer and cleaner.

 

 

 

 

 

A wonderful English garden, not coincidentally called Dream Garden, is the third-ranked project. In the exclusive residential area of Solihull (West Midlands, UK) Monocibec outdoor solutions offered the essential performance to pave a part of the green area and created a large space equipped for outdoor living. Dolomite Grey Major, with its 20-mm thickness, was installed to create a large outdoor social area, with tables and chairs, sun loungers, harmonised with the landscaping choices made for the garden.

 

 

 

The last two award-winning projects, in fourth and fifth place, are interesting examples of how porcelain stoneware can make the pool area more beautiful and safer. In Italy, near Castiglione della Pescaia (GR), a farmhouse converted into an accommodation facility has expanded their services for customers by building a swimming pool with a rustic and unusual look, choosing Monocibec’s Echo Badia wood effect for the inside and pool side area.

 

 

 

 

In France, in Nîmes, the outdoor spaces around the swimming pool area of a private home were featured with Monocibec Chiaroscuro Major, 20-mm thick and with a grip surface, and an installation in two colours, Salar and Cliff.

 

 

 

 

Fincibec Group