On Monday, September 21, 2026, during EmilDays-Etherea, the awards ceremony for the fifth edition of the Emilgroup Project Awards took place. An event that each year celebrates the best international projects created using Emilgroup collections, recognizing works that stand out for architectural quality, design vision, and the ability to interpret materials in innovative ways.

After evaluating entries from around the world, the jury selected the winners in the four competition categories and awarded two honorable mentions to projects distinguished by the quality of their design vision.

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Inspiration Category

<a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/projects/olinda_a_restaurant_with_a_distinctive_design/" target="_blank">OLINDA</a>, the new restaurant created by Gervasi Destinations in collaboration with Morris Flooring &amp; Design, won the award in the Inspiration category. Located in Ohio, USA, the project stands out for its ability to create an immersive experience where design, hospitality, and materials interact harmoniously, giving life to a space with a strong and distinctive identity.

Creativity Category

In the Creativity category, the award was presented to <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/projects/villa_padova_the_creativity_of_materials_as_a_design_language/" target="_blank">Villa Padova</a>, a private residence designed by Arch. Maila Borile. The project distinguishes itself through an innovative and creative use of materials, which go beyond their traditional role as surface coverings to become an integral part of the architecture and spatial identity.

Prestige Category

The award in the Prestige category was presented to <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/projects/palazzo_san_gottardo_elegance_and_hospitality_on_lake_como/" target="_blank">Palazzo San Gottardo Lake Como, A Radisson Collection Hotel</a>, a project designed by Ultrapresent Studio. Overlooking Lake Como, the intervention enhances a historic hospitality property through a refined balance of architectural heritage, contemporary design, and meticulous attention to detail.

Emilgroup Project Awards 2026: winners of the fifth edition

New inspirations take shape in surfaces that redefine the language of matter. Emilgroup&rsquo;s new collections emerge from the meeting of research, innovation and attention to detail, where textures and finishes become new design opportunities, inspiring architects, designers and specifiers to create spaces with an elegant and distinctive character.

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👉 What&#39;s new:

Emilceramica

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/essenza-frammenti/" target="_blank">Essenza Frammenti</a> combines the compact foundations of Pietra Essenza with the expressive richness of marble fragments</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/pietra-essenza/" target="_blank">Pietra Essenza New Dimensions</a> expands the collection&rsquo;s design possibilities with the new 160&times;160 cm and 120&times;278 cm formats</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/n0rdea/" target="_blank">N&oslash;rdea</a> combines the natural strength of wood with the essential character of Nordic design.</li>
	<li>Tele di Marmo New Expressions enriches the <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/tele-di-marmo/" target="_blank">Tele di Marmo</a> project with the new Rosso Levanto shade and expands <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/tele-di-marmo-onyx/" target="_blank">Tele di Marmo Onyx</a> with the new Stormy Day and Stormy Night shades</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/dual-travertine/" target="_blank">Dual Travertine Expanded</a> introduces the Poro Chiuso finish in the 120&times;278 cm and 120&times;120 cm formats</li>
</ul>

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Ergon

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/ergon/conceptstone/" target="_blank">ConceptStone</a> brings stone craftsmanship to the forefront, transforming it into a contemporary language for architecture</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/ergon/matera-stone/" target="_blank">Matera Stone New Dimension</a> introduces the Neutra finish in the innovative 160&times;160 cm format</li>
</ul>

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<ul>
</ul>

New expressions of matter: discover Emilgroup's new products for 2026

A small kitchen deserves the same design attention as a large one, but requires a few specific strategies to show it off to its best advantage.

To make a small kitchen appear larger, three material choices are key: large-format tiles that minimise the number of grout lines, a palette of light neutral tones, and the use of the same porcelain stoneware across the floor, splashback and worktop.

<h2 class="heading2">How to make a small kitchen look bigger: the 3 design principles</h2>

There are three design principles:

<ul>
	<li>Material continuity: using the same material for the floor, wall cladding and worktop enhances the perception of space.</li>
	<li>Minimising visual interruptions: the fewer the boundaries between one surface and another, the less the eye perceives the room&rsquo;s limits.</li>
	<li>Verticality: a full-height splashback elongates the wall and draws the eye upwards.</li>
</ul>

<h3 class="heading3">Large-format tiles or small tiles: which to choose</h3>

It is often thought that small tiles should be used in a small kitchen. In reality, this is not the case: large-format tiles reduce the number of grout lines and create a seamless surface.

Furthermore, this also means less dirt build-up, which directly benefits the kitchen&rsquo;s hygiene.

<h2 class="heading2">Which colours to choose for a small kitchen</h2>

The colour scheme depends on personal taste and the surrounding d&eacute;cor, but certain colours and textural effects can help make the room appear more spacious. Here&rsquo;s how to choose <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/magazine/kitchen-coverings-how-to-choose-tiles-for-your-kitchen/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">porcelain stoneware tiles</a> for a small kitchen.

Light neutral tones are the best choice: they reflect light and make the room brighter and, consequently, more spacious.

Marble and stone effects work well because the light veining on a neutral background adds depth and movement without geometric patterns that would disrupt the visual continuity. The <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/provenza/unique-travertine/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Unique Travertine collection</a> draws inspiration from travertine craftsmanship and combines simplicity and sophistication in a single surface, with a wide colour range to complement existing furniture. 
<a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/tele-di-marmo-lumia/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Tele di Marmo Lumia</a>, on the other hand, captures the lustre of precious stones in slabs with a striking visual impact, capable of drawing in light and enhancing even the smallest kitchen.

Finally, the finish. The lapped finish reflects light and makes the space feel larger; the natural finish offers a softer texture and is even easier to maintain. The <a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/ergon/matera-stone/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Matera Stone collection</a>, in its Natural version, combines a luminous surface with the textural beauty of stone.

<ul>
</ul>

How to furnish a small kitchen: porcelain stoneware solutions to make the most of every centimetre

<a href="https://www.emilgroup.com/collections/brand/emilceramica/tele-di-marmo-lumia/" target="_blank">Tele di Marmo Lumia by Emilceramica</a> collection, selected for the ADI Design Index 2025 in the Design of Materials and Technological Systems category, will be exhibited at the XXIX ADI Compasso d&#39;Oro Award exhibition at the MAXXI &ndash; Museo nazionale delle arti del XXI secolo in Rome.

From 7 to 30 October, visitors will have the opportunity to discover Tele di Marmo Lumia up close, Emilgroup&rsquo;s collection that explores the dialogue between light and matter through surfaces distinguished by striking backlit effects, extraordinary visual depth, and refined plays of light.

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📍 MAXXI &ndash; Museo nazionale delle arti del XXI secolo, Rome 
📅 7-30 October 2026

We look forward to welcoming you at MAXXI in Rome!

Tele di Marmo Lumia on display at the XXIX ADI Compasso d'Oro Award Exhibition

Collections used in the project