A rendering of innovative indoor courtyard that Jonathon Anderson and his team are developing. 
We are thrilled to announce the fifth year of the Coverings Installation Design Showcase. The live-action demonstration and exhibit will pair representatives from regional design organizations with industry-leading tile + stone manufacturers and installers to create full-scale, conceptual vignettes, in full view of Coverings attendees.
The 2014 Installation Design Showcase will produce four compelling spaces including an indoor courtyard, bar, retail space and a sustainable, accessible bath, all of which will showcase tile + stone materials and techniques. 
Indoor Courtyard
Led by designer Jonathon Anderson, Assistant Professor of Architecture at UNLV, the team representing the UNLV Department of Architecture will bring the outdoors inside, with the creation of an indoor courtyard composed of materials designed to evoke nature indoors in a clean, contemporary, monochromatic design. Crossville has supplied material from their large-format, thin porcelain panel line, Laminam by Crossville, to create an oversized fireplace using an innovative 3mm-thick panel. Visual and technical complexity will be added to the design with more than 1,000 individually pre-cut-to-size pieces of tile that will create an intricate gradient pattern.
Retail Space
Tile + stone will be the focal point of a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the retail environment envisioned by Eric Roberts of SH-Architecture, who represents the Las Vegas Chapter of AIA along with colleagues Dennis Panars and Jeni Panars. Porcelain manufacturer, Florim, will supply materials from its Pier and Galaxy product lines, both durable, rugged materials designed for use in commercial or residential spaces. The Gems line will be used to add a sense of artistic movement and excitement, and all three products will be incorporated into the walls, shelving, displays, and point-of-sale areas of the space.
Bar
Designer Stephen Leon, participating on behalf of the ASID Central California-Nevada Chapter, will create a bar unlike any other. Leon’s vision will feature tall obelisks in dark hues surrounding a bar composed of materials that create the appearance of exotic onyx with a glowing effect. Complementary stone treatments will create swirling patterns on the floors and walls to add visual drama and excitement. Large format panels from StonePeak’s Plane product line will be used in various sizes, up to 5-foot by 10-foot, throughout the installation.

A floor plan of the open concept bathroom presented by USGBC Nevada.
Sustainable, Accessible Bathroom
The USGBC Nevada Chapter will present an open concept bathroom to showcase the marriage of universal access and sustainable design practices in a warm, contemporary, natural space, envisioned by Chapter President, Daniel Huard. Three-time Installation Design Showcase participant, James Woelfel of Artcraft Granite, Marble, & Tile Co., will use tiles provided by Ceramics of Italy featuring eco-conscious attributes that are sustainable from start to finish. The visual centerpiece of the installation is an anchoring band of slim and large-format tiles from Lea Ceramiche’s “Lines and Waves” collection, designed by Patrick Norguet. Furthering the incorporation of universal access standards, the floor design calls for tiles of various sizes to be laid on a diagonal—a technique that is used to help visually impaired individuals navigate the space by feeling the grout lines between the tiles. The design, featuring Imola tiles, will mimic the color gradient of sand along a shoreline. Manufacturers Caesar, Fioranese and Sicis will also supply materials for the space including a custom-fabricated washbasin clad in tile.
The four vignettes will be open for the duration of the exposition and conference for all attendees to enjoy. Coverings will host a full tour with presentations by the designers and installers detailing each vignette on Thursday, May 1, 2014, at 4:00 p.m. with a cocktail reception to follow. This free program and reception is open to all attendees, though it is suggested to pre-register while registering to attend the show at coverings.com/register.

2014 Installation Design Showcase Design Teams
For full details regarding the Coverings Installation Design Showcase, please visit coverings.com/IDS. Follow along with the designers, manufacturers and installers as the Installation Design Showcase approaches by using the hashtag #CoveringsIDS across all social media platforms.