4th Edition of PIAM – the Matimex International Architecture Prize

Matimex continues its commitment to promotion and research in quality interior design, plans for new buildings and renovations, underlining and demonstrating the versatility of the ceramic slabs made by the Iris Ceramica Group.
The formula of the international architecture contest, in two versions, for students and professionals, leaves plenty of room for contemporary interior design proposals, expanding to cover more and more fields of interior architecture every year.
After the architecture of balance, the title of the 2017 edition, referring to projects promoting wellbeing of the body and mind, in 2018 architects and students are invited to propose projects for commercial spaces.
ComerciARQ. Contemporary Commercial Spaces is the theme of the fourth edition, immediately underlining an essential aspect of “contemporary” architecture. The starting point is the consideration that shopping today is no longer just about looking for and buying a product; users want what sociologists call “a total buying experience”.
Architecture is therefore asked to provide solutions for commercial spaces that take into account product, brand, space and sensations in an overall vision and allow buyers to enjoy a special experience. A very important and urgent task that can make the difference by building the alternatives that can give brick-and-mortar stores an edge over increasingly popular online businesses.
ComerciARQ. Contemporary Commercial Spaces is not only about flagship stores and big shopping malls. Matimex targets all forms of interior design for today’s retail spaces, responding to the needs of today’s shoppers, while preserving the formula of previous editions: use of Iris Ceramica Group materials as an integral, consistent part of the project. Matimex focuses in particular on the large ceramic slabs made by the Fiandre Maximum, Iris Hilite, FMG Maxfine, Ariostea Ultra, Porcelaingres Just Great and Eiffelgres MM brands. As in previous editions, use of ACTIVE Clean Air & Antibacterial Ceramic products is particularly appreciated for the materials’ ecological and anti-bacterial properties, but is not binding as a requirement for the materials used in the project.

To participate in Premio Internacional de Arquitectura Matimex, candidates may download the regulations from http://www.premiosmatimex.com/ and register in individual or group form; multidisciplinary teams are welcome. The deadline for registration and project submission is May 7, 2018, and the jury will announce the winners in each category on June 5.
The jury includes seven key figures in the world of architecture and ceramics: Enric Batlle (Architect, in charge of the UPC - MBLandArch. Master in Landscape Architecture programme – Founding partner in Batlle i Roig Arquitectura), Margarida Caldeira (Architect. Sits on the board of EMEA Chair, Broadway Malyan), Lucia Ferrater (Partner Architect in studio OAB, Office of Architecture in Barcelona), Juan-Luis Grafulla (Matimex Director and General Manager), Diego Gronda (Architect - Designer. Founder of Studio Gronda), Federica Minozzi (CEO, Iris Ceramica Group, Italy), Josep Piñot (Industrial Engineer. Head of Retail Development Services, CBRE). Prizes will be awarded in a ceremony to be held in June, and there will be cash prizes for the top two projects in each category, professionals and students. The jury will also award two honourable mentions, without cash prizes, to two particularly worthy projects in the professionals category.

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