Valencia, Spain – Tile of Spain announces a new education program specifically for participants in the Reign in Spain A&D Tour. Participants in the program, which entails a tour of Spain Feb. 4-12, 2011, will qualify for a minimum of 4.5 AIA CEU credits.Tile of Spain is currently taking applications for the tour. Interested parties can find more information and an online application form at www.tileofspainnews.com/reigninspain. Deadline is Wednesday, December 1, 2010. Winners announced December 10, 2010.
The Reign in Spain A&D tour consists of the four winners and six American journalists. The first half of the trip includes exploring a region of Spain to immerse in the local culture, sample Spain’s world-famous culinary arts, see notable sites and attractions that are of architectural and design significance and to gain a general understanding and appreciation for Spain. The latter half of the trip includes visiting Cevisama, the International Ceramic Tile and Bath Furnishings Show held in Valencia, factory and booth tours and a press conference.
Education Program Description
Advanced manufacturing technologies have literally changed the face of ceramic tile. If “faux”, “interior finish”, “twelve inch”, “beige” and “boring” come to mind when you think of ceramic tile, be prepared to have your perceptions challenged. Ventilated facades, raised floor systems, integrated domotics and biomimicry are 21st century sustainable ceramic tile design solutions. Slim format tile, glaze nano-technologies, third generation porcelain tile and digital print techniques are aesthetic and technical advances every design professional should be familiar with.
Industry expert and Tile of Spain ceramic tile consultant Patti Fasan will take us on a passionate tour of this technical and stylistic revolution, global trends and the sustainable stewardship that has emerged in the world of ceramic tile over the past decade. The program includes three components:
Part I – Factory Tour: Industry, Art & Architecture
120 minutes, 2.0 AIA CEU
120 minutes, 2.0 AIA CEU
The guided factory tour covers the history of ceramic tile, types of tile and how they differ, the technical tour of a modern ceramic tile manufacturing plant and its processes will highlight the advanced technologies employed in state-of-the-art production. Learn how calibration, dye lot, and color variation occur and how to control effects of these variables on a project. Understand the expertise demanded to produce sustainable ceramic tile products and learn how to avoid common selection and installation problems. Explore emerging trends in technology and how they are driving ceramic tile growth and continued innovation.
Participants will be able to:
- Explore 21st century ceramic tile manufacturing.
- Understand types of tile.
- Avoid common problems: color variation, tile calibration and dye lots.
- Explore trends that are driving the growth of ceramic tile.
Part II – Specification Value
90 minutes, 1.5 AIA CEU
Provides architectural, interior design, and specifying consultants with information needed to qualify and select the most suitable ceramic tile for rapidly expanding and diverse applications. The three most important technical ISO standards will be simplified: surface wear abrasion (PEI), water absorption and coefficient of friction. Qualify any tile based on proven test parameters.
Participants will be able to:
- Utilize major advances in tile production to enhance aesthetic & functional value of the project.
- Identify the four tile types and classify each according to their specific and best area of use.
- Select tile characteristics to maximize performance in the anticipated environment.
- Formulate a reliable ceramic tile graph to integrate in the client interview process.
Part III – Design for Life
60 minutes, 1.0 AIA CEU
Facts are seldom black and white – the common sense sustainable benefits of tile are not a gray area. They are decidedly green. Environmental issues regarding: indoor air quality, occupant health and safety, product durability and replacement frequency, affordability, maintenance/cleaning products and the ecosystem as well as the burden on landfill sites will have participants questioning whether their chosen specifications could be more beneficial to our planet.
Participants will be able to:
- Appraise the opportunity inherent in ceramic tile which enhances sustainable design principles.
- Identify advanced tile technologies to achieve superior performance based specifications.
- List four tile characteristics that reduce indoor air pollutants and enhance occupant health.
- Select at least five specification innovations to reduce construction waste.
The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER) is the private organization whose primary objective is to support Spain’s ceramic tile manufacturers and the industry as a whole by stewarding and promoting the Tile of Spain brand worldwide. A strong global leader, the ceramic tile industry of Spain comprises more than 220 manufacturers concentrated primarily in the province of Castellón. For more about tile produced in Spain, contact Tile of Spain Center at the Trade Commission of Spain, 2655 Le Jeune Road, Suite 1114, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Call 305-446-4387 or visit tileofspain.com.