La Ceramica e il Progetto 2020: the winning projects with Marazzi

The pandemic has not stopped the ninth edition of the La Ceramica e il Progetto competition, which rewards Italian projects that highlight the expressive potential of ceramic material. The competition is also an opportunity for research and analysis, not only regarding innovations in the ceramic industry, but also related design experimentation.

In the Residential category, the winner was the LSG outdoor space in Caserta. Privately owned and located in an ordinary condominium, the garden rediscovers, thanks to architect Giancarlo Covino’s creative flair, more organic functionality and a striking image. “It is a small compositional exercise,” Covino remarks. “The garden is the space-joint between the house and the private road, between intimate and extraneous, to which access is permitted by a staircase leaning against the outer wall. We covered the above-ground flowerbed adjacent to this wall with a ceramic pattern that alternates Ceramiche Bardelli modules and shades, creating a sense of volume, depth and originality. The covering also envelops the staircase. Moreover, Marazzi’s Mystone Basalto stone-effect collection (60x60 cm, Pomice colour) allows you to enjoy the garden and to access the staircase, which is finished with the same material.” It is a very sensitive project that connects decoration with functionality. It features a rigorous composition in which the use of ceramic material not only makes the garden usable, but lends depth and light to the green space.

Promenade Tiburtina by the FAD Fucine Architettura Design firm received the Special Mention in the Institutional category. The project redevelops an outdoor area, initially intended for parking, strongly signalling the urban transition.
The intervention is part of an operation involving the entire outdoor area, which belongs to a large real estate complex for business and private use. The part facing the entrance to the building becomes a complex space characterized by new paths, rest areas and vegetation. “The geometric layout of the paths,” explain the architects, “follows a zig-zag pattern crossed, in its centre, by an important linear element: a promenade that will reconnect future creations in the area. To accentuate the geometric features, luminous portals have been placed along the route, which allows it to also be used in the evening. The visual impact from Via Tiburtina communicates modernity. This is also thanks to the use of architectural concrete and stone-effect porcelain stoneware flooring [Mystone Silverstone20 collection, Beige finish and 30x30 cm and 30x60 cm custom size, in the 20 mm vehicle-resistant thickness], combined with the corten steel of the luminous portals.” The project, which creates new rest and vegetation areas, thus returns a piece of the city to its inhabitants.