Attendees of the recently held American Institute of Architects’ 2009 National Convention in San Francisco, CA, found new technology, designs and trends.

In conceptualizing the design of the pavilion, Tile of Spain centered on four identified architectural goals and how they could be realized through innovative products.

Personal Vision

A collaborative effort between architects and manufacturers is one path to innovation. New product development is often spurred by the architect’s vision, resulting in one-of-a-kind, award-winning design. The intricacy of extruded concave and convex shapes follows the most complex architectural forms translating vision into reality.

Environmental Goals

Cladding systems designed for effective environmental temperature and humidity control are a landmark advantage of ceramic tile. Ventilated facades are proven to deliver reduced energy consumption and enhance user comfort.

New Direction for Commercial Architects

Usefulness, solidity and beauty, three basic elements of design, are of particular value to hospitality design. The replacement of non-durable finishes with hygienic, cost-effective, durable materials is the mantra for the leaders in hotel and restaurant design.

Ceramic tile offers extremely durable attributes such as being immutable to fire, water and ultra violet light; it doesn’t absorb odors, is stain resistant and antimicrobial. Its durability is healthy for the environment, the user and the owner’s bottom line.

New Architectural Frontiers

Tile of Spain branded manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of universal design and architectural ceramic tile systems for public and private spaces. Through this pioneering spirit of innovation, ceramic tile solutions have moved well beyond the usual interior floor and wall applications to become a practical, high-performance architectural solution for almost any specification or application.

Sharing Industry Expertise

The Pavilion of Spain was also the venue for visiting architects to earn CEU credits and learn from industry veteran Patti Fasan, Tile of Spain’s Ceramic Tile Consultant. Fasan shared her 20-plus years of ceramic tile experience in a three-part series of seminars during all three days of the AIA Convention.

Sessions included “Basic Specification for Ceramic Tile” which entailed evaluating every type of ceramic tile; “Defining porcelain Tile Technology” which helped define porcelain technology and which type of porcelain tile is the best choice for different applications; and “Environmental Ceramic Tile – Gray Area or Green Area?” which detailed the benefits and opportunities of ceramic tile and environmenalt concepts including durability, improved air quality and other elements of sustainable design.