Orlando, FL, Tuesday, May 3rd 2005 - Coverings, the most comprehensive tile and stone marketplace in the Americas, and the preferred forum for hard surface education, exhibits and purchases, is pleased to announce Red Canyon Tile & Stone as the $10,000 Grand Prize winner of the 2005 Spectrum Award for creativity and achievement in the use of tile in residential and commercial design.

The winning project was the “Lander Master Bath” designed by John Mandel, president, Red Canyon Tile & Stone. The goal of this project was to create an elegant spa extending from the adjoining master bathroom, creating a spacious feeling retreat within the limited area of space. The columns framing the window featured Cepac Tile in a lace pattern, chosen for its ability to flex the curves of the columns and tub details. The lace pattern is repeated on the soffit, the wainscot, through the shower, the riser at the step of the tub and inside the tub.

“Our judges recognized the remarkable craftsmanship and imagination through use of color, texture and shape created with tile,” says Tamara Christian, Coverings’ show director and president, National Trade Productions. “The luxurious and exotic ‘Lander Master Bath’ design epitomizes what the Spectrum Awards are about: the inspirational, yet functional use of ceramic tile.”

First Prize, Residential: Andrews Tile for “Ahmadian Residence,” designed by Greg Andrews, owner, Andrews Tile . The 2000 square foot swimming pool and spa is tiled in paper face mounted, three-quarter inch glass mosaic tiles by Opiocolor. To fit square sheets onto curved walls, half the tiles were mounted in a bond pattern, and the other half mounted straight. The pool floor features a circular pattern that follows the radius of a pre-mounted medallion reaching out to the brown inlay. The tile used for the pool floor, seats, horizontal surfaces of the steps and the entire spa, was re-mounted on the job site using templates made to accommodate the ever-changing radius of the medallion.

Award of Merit, Residential: Santa Fe Design Studio for “American Summer” Ceramic Faux Carpet Foyer designed by mosaic artist Eric N. Rattan . This penthouse condominium foyer features a custom mosaic of approximately 9 feet by 5 feet, surrounded by an off-white travertine stone tile. The carpet-like shape and border definition is further enhanced by three grout colors, and also features black grout surrounded by black tessarae in the center, providing the richness and refinement necessary to compliment the client’s interior décor.

First Prize, Commercial: Carroll Associates Architects, Ltd. for “The Shoppes at Buckland Hills” led by Jack Gatto, president, Carroll Associates Architects, Ltd . Project team members included architect Terry Coradini; the Vratsinas Construction Company (general contractor); and tile contractor, Heuler Tile Company. The mall owner wanted for this 117,500 square foot food court and common area, an alternative material to natural stone that would be more economical, yet retain its high-end, elegantly polished look. The designers chose a variety of porcelain ceramic tiles from Castlegrand Padana’s Marte series, and were recognized by the judges for their excellent use of material, superb workmanship and imaginative, elegant pattern to create the desired effect.

Award of Merit, Commercial: Michael P. Johnson Design Studios Ltd. for “Wilkinson Office/Warehouse Reconstruction,” led by Michael P. Johnson, principal, Michael P. Johnson Design Studios Ltd . The project team consisted of designers Michael Jason, Amina Helstern and Paolo Sanza; and contractor Wilkinson Floor Coverings, Inc. The designers selected a cladding system to give the construction a fresh, new look, transforming the originally mundane structure into distinctive, pleasing architecture. They chose a large format black polished porcelain tile with a reflective quality for cladding, which mirrors the sky and lush scenery surrounding the site.

Award of Merit, Commercial: Specialty Tiles LLC for “Spring Creek,” led by Binnie B. Fry, president, Specialty Tiles LLC . The project team included Deirdre Saunder; general contractor Peter Tabri; landscape artist, Land Design, Inc.; and staircase architect, Brown and Craig, Inc. The goal of the “Spring Creek” project was to integrate art into a community undergoing revitalization. Therefore, the design and development team chose to add an interactive fountain that would serve as a central gathering place for community residents. The fountain is tiled with glass mosaics that, along with the water and in-built lights, add sparkle to the overall design.

“Our winners capture the diversity of ceramic tile in terms of aesthetics, functionality and installation,” Christian adds. “From a residential spa or foyer to a mall or community fountain, these designs reflect how ceramic tile can elevate any décor into a charming, beautiful and stylish space.”

The 2005 Spectrum Awards competition was coordinated by Coverings’ five sponsors, including: ASCER (Spain’s Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association), Assopiastrelle (Association of Italian Ceramic Tile and Refractories Manufacturers), CTDA (Ceramic Tile Distributors Association), NTCA (National Tile Contractors Association) and TCA (Tile Council of North America).

The judging committee was comprised of: Janet Arden, editor, TileDealer; Paul Makovsky, senior editor, Metropolis; Katie Weeks, managing editor, Contract Magazine; Carl Hilbert, owner, Colucci Tile & Marble, Inc.; Christine Abbate, principal, Novitá Communications; Shannon Woodmansee, director of membership and public relations, Tile Council of America; and Peter Pentz, creative director, White Good Advertising.

The co-sponsors of Coverings include: the Marble Institute of America, American Institute of Architects (Orlando Chapter), the Associazione Italiana Marmomacchine, The American Society of Interior Designers (Florida South, Florida North and Florida West Coast), the Construction Specifications Institute (Greater Orlando Chapter), International Interior Design Association (Florida Chapter), the Terrazzo Tile and Marble Association of Canada, the Tile Contractors’ Association of America, and the Tile Heritage Foundation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       page 2