Merit Award, Placemaking
Ceramic Tiles of Italy AIA Exhibit
Location
Denver, CO
Design Firm
Mauk Design, San Francisco, CA
Design Team
Mitchell Mauk (Principal in Charge), Mitchell Mauk, Ingrid Ballmann
Fabricator
Peak Exhibits
Consultant
Moss Inc.
Client
Italian Trade Commission
While the function of this exhibit was to showcase Italian tiles, a fabrication requirement was that tiles be used sparingly to keep the shipping weight down. Each overhead pyramid lights a single tile, each weighing less than fifty pounds.
Minimalist elements allow the tiles to be displayed much like art objects. The entire exhibit is dipped in Ferrari red, as most Italian tile manufacturers are located near Modena.
Jury Comments
"A temple of tile is totally appropriate for a product from Italy, a country that has taught us to celebrate the designed object." "An especially convincing interpretation of architecture for an architectural audience. The use of a limited number of display pieces strengthens the concept."