Tile Award 2012 - Jury Assessment | 29 June 2012 | Hamburg

Winner: Category 1 – Hotel / Gastronomy

“IrritierBAR” - Filiz Uysaler, filiz. Architektur. Innenarchitektur. Produktdesign., Germany
In the second project phase, the concept by Filiz was further developed regarding a more three-dimensional use of tiles. The results are complex wall reliefs and fixtures.
The jury acknowledges the committed further development, but also notices that the project has lost part of its clarity and persuasiveness as compared to the original design and recommends – particularly for the concrete implementation of the project – to strengthen the promising potential of the design: the creation of manifold two-dimensional patterns with only one cut tile format and thereby treating all three-dimensional objects such as shelves, counters and seating areas either in a cubic-subtractive way as a niche or additively as a rectangular shape. In doing so, all surfaces should be finished monochrome as presented in the elevation of the first concept, so that the confusing appeal of the concept results from the pattern of the joints, which is easy to produce but generates a brilliant space-consuming effect.

Winner: Category 2 – Wellness / Spa

“Tilescape” - Agata Wozniczka, BudCud, Poland
With a simple combination and variation of differently sized rectangular tiles; BudCud achieves an interesting “spatialisation” of the surface. The gradual reduction of the tile size and the corresponding increase of the share of joint generate exciting graduations ranging from light to dark.
In the eye of the viewer, the two-dimensional areas of the room-delineating walls, ceiling and floor turn into a three-dimensional image. The room’s edges seem to dissolve and the room extend “ad infinitum”. Here, the spa users experience an exceptional space, which carries them off into an illusion far exceeding their everyday spatial experience.
The jury was fascinated by the extremely simple and sensitive use of tiles, which resulted in a highly convincing outcome. An optical illusion is created, the surface becomes space.

Special Award : Category 2 – Wellness / Spa

“Ceramic Curtain” - Sebastian Brunke, Delugan Meissl Associated Architects, Austria

In his design Sebastian Brunke combines a classic and an unconventional use of ceramic tiles. He uses large-format surface materials for side walls, floor and ceiling, whereas he creates a three-dimensional sculpture by means of movably suspended façade panels, which appears lightweight and permeable despite the heavy body and a massive use of the material in a room only consisting of ceramics. A membrane towards the exterior allowing daylight to shine through. With unconventionally applied façade panels, Brunke stages the idea of a modern façade in the interior, which with partly open, partly closed windows seems familiar to the viewer.

With just a few, but effectively used elements Sebastian Brunke succeeds to create an intensive atmosphere. An almost poetical image with a high level of scenic quality. A white figure stands in a room with a black area of water, on which only light waves spread out. However, this room is dominated by the rear wall, which stands out like a silhouette. The result is no usual wellness atmosphere, but a room that focalises the senses to the incident light and divest them of almost all stimuli. The repeatedly refracted moonlight is reflected on the water surface. A room with a sacred effect, which seems cool at first glance, but has a strong attractive power.

Winner: Category 3 – Health / Care

“SHAKTI” - Franziska Crivelli, Atelier Crivelli, Switzerland

The interesting use of ceramic components, processing materials and recycled ceramics for the shaping of an all-ceramic environment shows interesting parallels to birth preparation and postnatal relaxation. The jury was impressed by the project’s wide range with regards to the depth of references and the width of applications. That gives this project its special ranking above projects where the measurements of tiles, the hygienic qualities or graphical patterns predetermined the obligatory use of tiles. In the Shakti proposal, the warm shapes and the process-related textures convinced all jury members. However, improvement before execution is wished in a slight adaption of the position of the relaxing ladies in order to the hills and in the use of sand-polished recycled ceramic remains instead of industrially manufactured tile mats for the floor. The designer should keep the richness in the range of your materials! Of course, the jury is very curious to see all these components back in the realised version.