Following the success of the first edition, the second edition of the “APE Grupo Architecture Awards”, organised by the ceramic company APE Grupo, has kicked off today with the aim of recognising and highlighting the work of architects and interior decorators who have used APE Grupo ceramics in their projects.
During this edition, the jury is chaired by the prestigious architect Francisco Mangado, Academic and winner of the Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts, among other awards. Also, the prestigious designer and interior decorator Francesc Rifé, and the architect Susana Babiloni, president of the Architects’ Association of Castellón.
The “APE Grupo Architecture Awards” are open to both Spanish and international professionals and projects, with completed architecture and interior design projects of new construction or the renovation of existing spaces. Furthermore, specific spaces in a home, building or project that form a part of a constructed or renovated whole may also be entered.
The awards have a monetary prize of 5,000 euros, and the deadline for submitting proposals and documentation is 12 November. The projects submitted must be completed and must use ceramic materials by APE Grupo.
The results of the first edition of the awards stood out for the richness of the use of ceramics in the projects submitted and for their international scope. Including projects from countries such as the Philippines, Costa Rica, Belarus, France and Spain, among others.
The winning project was “Vitápolis”, a co-living space for seniors in Toledo (Spain), developed by the Romero&Vallejo studio. Jury was formed by the renowned Italian architect Benedetta Tagliabue (EMBT Architects), Tomás Alía (Caramba Estudio) and the Architects’ Association of Castellón.
This competition forms a part of a set of initiatives that aim to improve the connections between the professional world and APE Grupo’s modern ceramics. In this regard, APE Grupo has launched a cycle of architecture conferences named “Ágora Inspiring Talks”, in which several renowned architects have been involved, including Emilio Tuñón, Benedetta Tagliabue, Iñaki Ábalos, Rafael de la Hoz and Carlos Lamela.
Among other activities, it also carries out an annual study on the trends in indoor spaces, known as “The New Habitat: This is how the spaces where we live and work are changing”, a project that is now recognised by all professionals in the sector and has become a mandatory consultation manual.
Francisco Mangado (Navarre, 1957), is an architect and economist. He has been Visiting Professor at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University, Eero Saarinen Visiting Professor of Architecture at the School of Architecture at Yale University, Visiting Professor at L’École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. Also, Baird-Gensler Visiting Professor at the School of Architecture of Cornell University. He was Visiting Professor at the Politecnico di Milano and at l’École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture Paris Val de Seine. He is an extraordinary professor of Projects at the School of Architecture of the University of Navarre.
His work has been featured in numerous Spanish and international publications and exhibitions.
In 2011 he became an International Fellow of the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) and in 2013 an honorary member of the AIA (American Institute of Architects). Besides, in 2016 the Berlin Academy of Arts awarded Francisco Mangado with the 2017 Berlin Art Prize for Architecture. In 2022, he was awarded the Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts by the Spanish Government, and in 2024 he became a member of the French Académie d’Architecture.
He has twice received the Spanish Architecture Award for the Spanish Pavilion at Expo Zaragoza 2008. As well as for the Conference Centre and Hotel in Palma de Mallorca. In 2021 he was awarded the Francisco Javier Prize by the Government of Navarre for his career in the field of architecture, teaching and promoting the interaction of this discipline with other fields of knowledge.
In 2008 he founded the Fundación Arquitectura y Sociedad. Which was awarded the gold medal by the CSCAE (Higher Council of Professional Associations of Architects of Spain) in 2015.
An interior decorator and industrial designer, Francesc Rifé (Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, 1969) founded his studio in Barcelona in 1994. Influenced by minimalism and marked by a family history of craftsmanship, all his work is centred around spatial order and geometric proportion. The interdisciplinary work carried out by his studio includes interior design, industrial design, architecture, concept creation, installations, graphics and art direction.
His most notable projects include the Caro Hotel in Valencia (2010), the residence for Real Madrid’s first team (2013), Casa Grande Hotel in La Rioja (2020), Sana Hotel in Berlin (2011), the makeover of the Avianca VIP lounges (2018). Furthermore new design concepts for fashion and shoe shops, including Nino Álvarez (2006-2022), ASH (2018-2019), Carhartt (2000-2013), Camper (2018) and Scalpers (2024). Michelin-starred restaurants such as the emblematic Can Fabes (2003). Those designed for chef Ricard Camarena (2010-2022), Bosco de Lobos Barcelona for the Tragaluz Group (2023), the Roca Shanghai Gallery (2013-2018). Besides, the first flagship and All in One offices of CaixaBank (2013-2019); the showroom of the Swiss brand Laufen in Moscow (2019) and that of Vibia in Gavà (2020). Also the headquarters of Power Electronics in Llíria (2020) and of the ceramics company Farsight in the Chinese city of Foshan (2022).
He is currently working on the development of the new Hotel Presidente Intercontinental in Monterrey, Mexico. Additionally, the Tritium wineries in La Rioja and the interiors of the new Andreu World showroom and offices, among others.
He designs products for both Spanish and international companies such as Tomasella, Marset, Point, Inclass. Besides Blasco&Vila, Akaba, Mobboli, Kendo, Nosten Argentina, Omelette Editions, JMM, Milan Iluminación, Estiluz, NOW Carpets, Perobell, Poalgi, Dynamobel, Kendo, Alexandra, Bivaq, BK and Pummba.
He has won several design awards throughout his career, such as the Contract World Awards, the Red Dot, ICFF Editors Awards. Furthermore, the HIP Award in Chicago, the FAD award, several DELTA awards. And, more recently, recognition for his professional career at Casa Decor and Interihotel. His work has been widely featured in the general press, as well as in specialised publications and books both in Spain and internationally. He has been teaching for years and plays an active role in workshops, congresses and conferences.
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