Ceramic Tiles of Italy is now accepting entries for their 17th Annual Design Competition. The competition celebrates outstanding examples of contemporary American design featuring Italian ceramic tiles. North American architects and interior designers are invited to submit residential, commercial, and institutional projects completed between January 2005 and January 2010. Entries may be submitted for domestic and international new construction and renovation projects. The deadline for submission is Feb. 19, 2010 (no fee or limit for entries).

A panel of design experts will judge the projects based on their creativity, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. The official criterion for the jury includes: overall design of the project, innovative use of tile, tile design, quality of installation, degree that tile enhances the setting, and the project's sustainable attributes.

Winners in each category will receive a cash prize of $5,000 and a trip to Coverings, which will be held in Orlando, Florida from April 27-30, 2010. In addition, an exhibit of the winning projects will be on display in the Italian pavilion during the show. Winners will also be treated to a 5-day trip to Cersaie 2010, the world's largest exhibition for ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings, and join a delegation of leading design media journalists. The organization will once again offer an additional $1,000 to be shared by the winning contractor/distributor team.  

The 2010 submission process will be completely digitalized. Interested architects/designers can download an application off the competition's official website, www.tilecompetition.com.