Fair Preview: CERSAIE 2011 Bologna – the leading international exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings

The fascinating accompanying programme for Cersaie includes lectures by a number of leading personalities from the worlds of architecture and design such as Kazuyo Sejima, Kengo Kuma, Patricia Urquiola and Alessandro Mendini.
Architonic has done some research for you in advance and can provide you with a preview of new products from selected top manufacturers.

Tagina has developed a new tile which can be applied either indoors or outdoors.
Compact 20 mm is highly versatile, making it ideal for a wide range of applications in different areas of the building. The advantage of this highly versatile tile is that it makes a frequent change of materials unnecessary, enabling a constant surfacing theme to be extended throughout the entire building.

Patricia Urquiola, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Rodolfo Dordoni – the who's who of contemporary design have been engaged for this year's appearance by Mutina.
The tonality of the Pico collection, which was designed by the brothers Bouroullec, has been created using a special mixture of materials and 3 basic colours. The collection is also pioneering in its out-of-the-ordinary format, feel and surfacing style.

ALLDAY is a revolutionary radiator concept by Brandoni: just like on a workshop tool wall the magnetic metal pins can be arranged in any pattern on the grid of holes, enabling towels and clothing to be hung on the heating wall and warmed. The pins can also be filled with aromatic essences, which radiate their scent throughout the room.

In terms of form the Glaze bathroom furniture collection by Azzurra was inspired by the laboratory – in spite of this its soft shapes give the furniture units a large degree of cosiness. The WCs in the Glaze collection are fitted with a water-saving function which reduces water consumption by 50%.

Karim Rashid has developed the freestanding wash basin Amedeo for Cielo. The cross section of the base of this sculptural bathroom unit varies, depending on whether it is seen from the front or the side.

The 5th Avenue porcelain tile collection from La Fabbrica presents the three relief designs of 'Moon, Waves and Stripes', which can be laid in a repeating pattern. 5th Avenue is available in the four colours of 'Black Chic, Chocolate, Crystal and Koan', and in the three formats of 60x60, 30x60,15x60.

Floral ornaments are displayed by Ceramiche Keope in its new Station collection, which highlights natural, subdued colours, matt finish and structured surfaces. The various formats and characteristics of the tile mean that it is suitable both for private homes and public buildings.

The Granitogres architecture series by Casalgrande Padana was created to meet the requirements of the most diverse architectural requirements: the highly durable earthenware tiles in the formats of 30x60 and 60x60 cm are suitable as wall or floor tiles both indoors and outdoors and as cladding for facades.

The GEOTECH collection by Floor Gres is available in large formats and in a wide range of colours, together with various finishes such as matt or structured. This versatility leads to numerous fascinating possible combinations.

Jewel, the geometric tile by Lea Ceramiche, was inspired by Victorian marquetry. The various colour gradations give the pattern a three-dimensional effect which, however, is prevented by the generous dimensions from making a disorganised impression.

Astronomical dimensions have been the inspiration for Fiandre: Aster Maximum is the name of the new tile collection which can justifiably describe itself as large format. With a thickness of only 3-6 mm the tiles are available in the two standard sizes of 300x150 cm and 300x100 cm, as well as in numerous special formats.

By stylishly combining a number of different designs Bisazza Bagno in turn offers surprises in the form of new concepts and well-chosen eclecticism.
As a continuation of the 'Hayon Collection' presented at ISH, this time Bisazza is presenting 'The Wanders Collection', a new line for the bathroom by Marcel Wanders.
In addition to a new range of decorative mosaic patterns in the new 50x50 mm format Bisazza Mosaico has new collections and designs by Tord Boontje, Carlo Dal Bianco, Patricia Urquiola, Edward Van Vliet and Marcel Wanders.

In COLLAGE VANITY UNIT ex.t is exhibiting a modularly constructed bathroom unit created by the designer Sigrid Stromgren. The combination of wood and porcelain makes sure that the unit does not have a sanitary character and is in line with the trend towards the bathroom as living space.
The functional benefits provided by the COLLAGE VANITY UNIT, which can be supplemented by the COLLAGE CABINET, are lots of space for placing and storing things.

The elegant, free-standing Milestone wash basin was designed by Carlo Colombo for Teuco. Created in monolithic fashion from marble, the filigree form of the projecting basin makes a strong impression.

The Trasparenze collection by cottovietri is modelled on traditional glazed tiles, while replacing the red earthenware by white porcelain. This gives the glaze a special brilliance, while the slightly irregular texture gives depth to the evenness of the porcelain.

SANTAMARGHERITA® specialises in glamorous surfaces of quartz with small ingrained metal sections. Five basic colours are available with gold, silver, bronze, iron or tin inserts, creating an exclusive look.

Rapsel is presenting designs by prestigious designers such as Matteo Thun, Mario Nanni, Marco Merendi, Carlo dal Bianco, J.M. Wilmotte and Matteo Nunziati, who create a stir with new products such as Allaltezza, Amarcord, Grand Tour, Atollo and Elle News.

Wood-effect tiles are the big trend – not only for bathrooms, but also as an alternative to parquet flooring.
The delicate tones of Ariana's Rovere tiles create such a good wood effect, they avoid any air of imitation.

Timber also plays with the parquet look. The new tile series from Serenissima is available in the two formats of 15x9 and 15x60.8, and is suitable for public facilities.

Settecento has added a further feature to its parquet look with tiles which are not just available in various wood designs but also with 'Hand Finish' and 'Cross Cut' surfacing, replicating a planed or sawn finish.

In 'Wood' Gardenia Orchidea, too, has a range of tiles in its portfolio which can be applied in both the living room or the bathroom. The Crystal Ker series shows warm, strong colours and its various formats enable it to be laid in a wide range of patterns.

Aside from the numerous impressions to be had and contacts to be made at Cersaie, Bologna also offers you an attractive programme of things do to beyond the fair – numerous architectural sights from the Middle Ages await you, as well as trattorias and restaurants in a city known for its many culinary offerings.
And if you are unable to attend the fair yourself we will subsequently be presenting a selection of the best products and materials in our look back on Cersaie 2011.