Fifteen outstanding projects demonstrating spectacular craftsmanship and creativity in the use of tile and stone materials were recognized in the fifth annual Coverings Installation & Design (CID) Awards. An independent panel of judges, comprised of notable industry writers, leading designers, installation experts and representatives from Ceramics of Italy, the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), Tile of Spain and National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), utilized a blind judging format to evaluate each submissions’ technical execution and installation, and the inspired and original use of materials in the design’s aesthetic. The winning projects were honored, and $20,000 of award money was distributed, during the 2016 CID Awards & Opening Night Celebration on Monday, April 18 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

“The entries received for the 2016 CID Awards program were impressive and illustrative of the incredible range of creative and technical talents found in the tile and stone industry,” said Karin Fendrich, Coverings show director. “Coverings extends its congratulations and thanks to all of the honorees recognized for their continued commitment to incorporating incredible degrees of innovation and skill in their work.”

Two remarkable projects were awarded Grand Prize honors — one for outstanding use of stone materials and one for outstanding use of tile materials. The Stone Grand Prize was awarded to Carson Guest Inc. and Marmi Natural Stone for their work on The Farley Residence in Duluth, GA. Grand prize honors in the tile category were awarded to Doty Tile, Snyder Tile, and Aileen Bar for the Lincoln Park Tiled Stairway project in San Francisco, CA. All Grand Prize winners received $2,000 and a one-night hotel stay in Chicago during Coverings.

The following is a look at the winners in the stone category:

Stone Grand Prize Winner  

Farley Residence

Duluth, GA

Project Description:This is the complete renovation of a traditional home to update it and open the inside to the outside with the addition of new custom windows and doors, a new kitchen, new bathrooms and a new layout opening the front to the rear of the home overlooking the pool. All of the finishes, furnishings and artwork are new. The use of beautiful stone and quartzite brings elegance to the space. Challenges included the following: 1. The owners decided to remain in the home and relocate to the basement during renovations in order to not disrupt the lives of their pets; 2. Determining how to open up the center of the home and relocate the powder room without disrupting major structural beams at the center of the home or relocating the existing staircase; 3. Relocating the downstairs stairs to provide more space in the kitchen. 4; Completing the work before year-end holidays.

Description of Tile/Stone: Calacatta Mahattan slab and tile; Negro Marquina, polished; Imperial Gray limestone, honed; Smoke Onyx; White Princess quartzite

Settings Materials: Grout from Custom Building Products; TEX-ACC Color XT Grout; Mapei grout

Supplier/Distributor: Marmistone

Residential Stone Design Winner  

Saint John’s Master Bath, Fireplace and Columns

  Dallas, TX

Project Description: Hand-carved fireplace mantle and hand-carved rare onyx columns all designed and hand carved in house by skilled artisans.

Description of Tile/Stone: White Carrara marble in master bathroom. All stone hand crafted by S & R Development for the fireplace and columns.

Settings Materials: Ann Sacks Tile and Stone (master bath); All stone hand crafted by S & R Development (fireplace and columns)

Suppliers/Distributors: Ann Sacks (tile in master bath)

Residential Stone Installation Winner

Green Lake Residential Bathroom  

West Bloomfield, MI

Project Description: This 1920s Wallace Frost lakefront home’s residential bathroom was remodeled with stone and handmade tile accents. The homeowner requested a stone bathroom that would fit the time period of the house. After removing the bathtub and gutting the bathroom down to its studs, the designer and installer were challenged to fit architectural Old-World details into a space less than 55 square feet. The Turkish travertine used had hand-chiseled edges and was unfilled. Thus, all cuts required hand chiseling onsite to match the original state of the stone. Handmade tile details include a mirror surround, crown detail at the ceiling, acanthus capitals, shower seat detail, shower niche with indirect lighting and acanthus lunettes. Throughout the bathroom, all outside corners were mitered with hand-tinted, color-matched epoxy to give the appearance of full-thickness stone rather than a veneer. The window features chamfered details, lending the appearance of a larger opening and allowing an abundance of light to enter the small space. The barrel arch ceiling was constructed onsite with wood framing, metal lathe, scratch mud coat, and a finish coat to final specifications.

The countertop was fabricated using 2-cm Durango stone, which was edge laminated for a 4-cm build-up, then hand chiseled and antiqued using carbide brushes. The natural stone sink bowl was integrated into the top without overhang. Depth was added to the sink wall by overlaying the arch while maintaining the running bond and hand chiseling the edge. Over the window and linen cabinet are acanthus lunettes that were built on site. Each lunette contains 11 acanthus leaves that were cut, mitered and installed in a radial pattern on a slab of Durango. Also site-built is the lighted niche along with the shampoo and toilet tissue recess.

Description of Tile/Stone:The job featured Turkish, unfilled, hand-chiseled edge travertine of varying sizes, including 16 x 24 and 16 x 16 inches on the walls and floor, 2 x 2 inches on the shower floor, and
½ x 1 inches for the shower ceiling. Durango slab was used on the countertop, columns, the face and the return of the arch and the backing of the lunettes. Handmade tiles by Ellison Tile are featured in the mirror surround, crown detail at the ceiling, acanthus capitals, shower seat detail, shower niche with indirect lighting and acanthus lunettes.

Settings Materials: Durock backboard, Tec Superflex, Hydroflex waterproofing and crack isolation, and grout; Akemi epoxy; and Miracle 511 Porous Plus Sealer. Traditional mudset with tar paper, metal lathe, sand, Portland cement and lime.

Suppliers/Distributors: Virginia Tile, Ellison Tile and Braxton-Bragg

Commercial Stone Design Winner

St Wenceslaus Church

Dickinson, SD

Project Description:The project encompassed 10 medallions. Seven represent the Cardinal and ecclesiastical virtues of the Catholic Church: Hope, Faith, Love, Charity, Fortitude, Prudence and Humility. Each medallion has a meaning to Msgr. Patrick A. Schumacher, STL and the Catholic Church. He and Catherine Aalto/Artist spent time working with each other to make artwork and stone choices. Bronze was also used in the designs to accent the marble choices.

One medallion was for the official emblem of St. Wenceslaus and two medallions incorporate a piece of stone that Msgr. Schumacher brought back from the Vatican himself (white onyx). The piece was carefully sliced in half and polished. The artist designed a medallion to go around the pieces. Those two pieces are inscribed with “Basilica Vaticana e pavimento,” which means “Roman Vatican ground/floor tile.” They were accented in bronze and Emperador Light and Rosso Laguna marble. The installation of the stone floor and its 10 waterjet medallions is the final element in a multi-year expansion program for the church, which was originally built in 1956. The construction program also included structural and painting, as well as new altar pieces, Stations of the Cross and new windows

Description of Tile/Stone: Stone colors used in these medallions are 12- x 12-inch tile, White Onyx; French Vanilla, Dove/Aalto Gray, Emperado Dark, Grigio Dark, Grigio Light, Celeste Blue, Giallo Realle, Rojo Alicante, Black Galaxy, White Thassos, Noche travertine, Blue Macubus, Caribbean Blue, Rosso Laguna, Egyptian Gold, Crema Marfil, St. Croix, Indus Gold, Sienna Gold, Opal Beige, Tiger Onyx, Rossa Lavanto, Red travertine, Breccia Damascata, Botticino, Jade Green, Ming Green, Empress Green, Verde Oasis, Ruby Sky (Difiniti quartz); Metal: bronze, gold and glass on porcelain

Settings Materials: VersaBond, Tec setting and grout, Ultraflex, Mapei primer, anti-fracture Stratamat by Laticrete

Supplier/Distributors: Nasco Stone and Tile New York, NY (stone); Terrazzo Marble Supply Wheeling, IL (materials)

Commercial Stone Installation Winner

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Indianapolis, IN

Project Description:In October of 2010, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced its plans to construct a temple near Indianapolis, IN. The owner desired a high-quality structure with an exterior that could withstand the influence of pollution and the area’s harsh winter weather. A natural stone exterior was specified, with limestone being the favorite due to its natural occurrence in the area. To ensure the intricate stone detailing could be fabricated and installed utilizing the most efficient methods, the design team participated in a six-month design-assist initiative, and the contracted stone company was later awarded the installation contract for both the exterior and interior stonework. The architects drew inspiration from Indianapolis’ historic Monument Circle, as well as the symbols synonymous with the state of Indiana. The resulting edifice incorporates classical architecture with an Egyptian influence. The inspiration from Monument Circle is reflected in the Temple’s two stately spires — each created from carved limestone. The taller of the two reaches, 86 feet above the roof — 150 feet from the ground. Each elevation features a portico, with two stately columns framing the main entrance on the east side. The south and west side porticoes each have four columns, while the north portico has five columns.

These 15 limestone columns were designed with bases and capitals in the Doric order. Fluted limestone pilasters were incorporated between the exterior windows. Each of the 10 pilasters is detailed with a profiled base and Egyptian-inspired capital. Additionally, the flowering bud of Indiana’s state tree, the Tulip Poplar, is carved into the stone window surrounds. The temple’s limestone entablature also features carved frieze elements, including the leaf and flower motif repeated throughout the building. Local Indiana craftsmen delicately carved the traditional signage into the limestone above the main temple doors, which reads “Holiness to the Lord, the house of the Lord.” A total of 16,000 square feet of granite site work surrounds the temple, creating a tranquil setting for the temple’s many visitors. To complement the temple’s honed Aero Cream limestone exterior, G350 granite was chosen for the majority of the site work, while Giallo Antico granite was used for the fountain and as an accent to the paving. The typical paver was 2 inches thick, while the granite wall caps and curbs were 6 inches thick. The site work also includes cubic granite stair treads, planter walls, plinths, cubic keystones, solid cubic benches and fence piers. The project’s most impressive site work element is the dome-shaped central water feature, which is comprised of over 75 cubic shaped stone pieces, with the larger pieces weighing more than 3,000 pounds. The exterior cladding installation began in September of 2013 and was completed in October of 2014, with site work installation completed in January of 2015. Despite Indiana’s brutal winters, with wind chills often measuring -40 degrees, crews only missed two days of installation, and those were due to above average snowfall.

Description of Tile/Stone: Aero Cream limestone (exterior cladding) G350 granite (site work) Giallo Antico granite (water feature and paver borders

Commercial Sustainable Design Winner

Fairfield Inn

 Waterbury, VT

Project Description:The new Fairfield Inn and Suites in Waterbury, VT, maintains the brand’s signature features with the rustic charm that defines this beautiful New England town. Upon entering the hotel lobby, guests experience a warm and inviting rustic lodge atmosphere, featuring stylized wood grain translucent panels flanked by reclaimed teak wood planks on the registration feature wall, reclaimed wood cabinetry, warm rustic wood-look plank porcelain tile flooring and a magnificent burnished finished brass ring chandelier set against a ceiling of found teak wood. The public areas meet the needs of its productivity-oriented guests with its modernized and contemporary approach to the classic lodge, providing both vacationing and business guests with ample connectivity options, along with more casual and informal areas for relaxation. Guests may rest and relax by the impressive stone fireplace in the lobby or even enjoy a swim in the inviting indoor pool, which boasts a spa-like atmosphere with its surroundings of rich stone and wood-look tile elements. The design concept reflects many nature-inspired materials indigenous to Vermont.

The flooring consists of wood-look parquet tile and carpet inspired by the warm color palette of the area’s stunning fall foliage. The contextually inspired barn-style doors at the entrance to the breakfast buffet bring a rustic feel to the contemporary look of the solid stone counters of the buffet. The locale inspired guest rooms feature an accent wall with a stunning paneled effect. Plank tiles in different directions were used as a way to frame and designate spaces within the open plan of the lobby, breakfast area, corridors and elevator lobby on the first floor. The rustic detailing and deep texture of the Albero 6 tiles in both plank and parquet shapes were a perfect solution for the lobby to create a snow lodge feel and also withstand the snow and salt tracked in during the ski season in Vermont. The client sought to have a spa-like room for the indoor pool, so we used various textures and colors of stone veneer and wood- and slate-look porcelain tile on the walls and floors.

Description of Tile/Stone: Albero 6/ DOMA6FR630/ Fresh/ 6 x 30 inches (lobby, corridors, elevator lobby, breakfast room); Albero 6/ DOMA6FR24/ Fresh/ 24 x 24 inches (indoor pool area); Albero 3/ DOMA3AS532/ Ash/ 6 x 24 inches; Rok/ CERROCA13/ Calcare/ 13 x 13 inches

Settings Materials: Grout from Mapei

Supplier/Distributor: Cancos Tile

Sustainability Details: EA CREDIT 4 Green Power: Products that optimize energy performance for floors and walls using thermal conductivity; BTU-FT IEQ CREDIT 3.1-7 Green Cleaning: Reducing occupant’s exposure to hazardous cleaning chemicals. IEQ CREDIT 4.1 Low Emitting Adhesives: Products less than 65 G/L VOC IEQ CREDIT 4.3 Low Emitting Materials: Flooring systems M&R CREDIT 4.1-4.2 Recycled Content: The sum of post-consumer plus ½ of the pre-consumer reps at least 10 to 20% of total value of materials.

International Stone Design Winner

Wiggly House

Milan, Italy

Project Description: Wiggly house is a single-family residential building located outside of Milan, Italy, characterized by multi-story buildings that surround it. Because of this promiscuity, the house tries to protect itself reducing at most the openings toward the outside, as well as compensating with patios — both closed and open — that provide light in a more suitable way to the inner spaces. The Canadian Gray granite covers the entire building to symbolize this idea of protection with the exception of the walls where the volume is subtracted by the gray-plaster made patios. The pitch of the roof folds restless in search of the zenithal light, in an almost gestural attitude. It generates three light stacks in the living room, in the kitchen and in the meditation room. The pitches of the roof alternate with each other, wiggling the sequence of the lines of the roof section. So in the inner spaces, it emphasizes the value of the light. Ceramic cladding covers selectively some of the walls of the kitchen and of the two bathrooms. They use the same random composition with a color variation. This way the three rooms, also different, preserve a certain affinity among them. From the typological point of view the project investigates new combinations depending on the change in the family structure and the use of contemporary living spaces that seems to be changed in recent years.

Close to the entrance is a small room, ready to be occupied — flexibly as a small office, playroom or guest bedroom. A thin glass patio separates the lobby from the corridor. The spacious living room is the main space and overlooks the patio open to the south. The fully glazed corridor divides the twin opposite patios too.

Description of Tile/Stone: Canadian Grey granite, Lombarda Graniti Black Kirin 30 x 60 and 30 x 90 inches, Deep Grey external covering

Supplier/Distributor: Lombarda Graniti