This week at Coverings 2012, three up-and-coming young architects will take the stage to discuss their work, their profession, and the future of both.

Coverings is the annual stone and tile trade show that brings together designers of all stripes in Orlando, Florida. As such, it’s the perfect chance for architects from all over the country to come together in a kind of national summit. The Coverings keynote, State of the Union: Architectural Trends & Influences, will bring together architects Jason Adams and Jason Welty in a conversation led by Architizer founder Marc Kushner.

Where will architecture go in the next year? Join the cast of this year’s State of the Union this thursday to debate the future of the profession. Click through for more information.

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Just over two months ago, we launched a competition to design a trade show pavilion for Ceramics of Italy. The design was to fill a 3,000sf rectangle, incorporating a café, information desk, reception desk and storage area, all while showcasing the creative possibilities of Italy’s ceramic tiles. Furthermore, CI asked that the pavilion be reusable in part or in full for future exhibits, in keeping with the industry’s commitment to sustainability.

We received a flurry of entrants, each team eager to show off innovative uses of tile and join the ranks of Aldo Rossi, Bernard Tschumi and other architects tapped to outfit Ceramics of Italy with a standout exhibit. Well, after two weeks of careful deliberation, the wait is finally over. Here are the results!

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For those of you not familiar with the Coverings show, it is the largest stone and tile convention in North America. Jointly sponsored by the respective trade groups of the US, Spain and Italy, Coverings is an annual gathering that is international in scope.

The invited press spent a half a day with each of the three national trade groups. Each session included a formal press conference, a superb meal and a guided tour through the pavilions of that country’s leading stone and tile producers.

Three themes emerged through the show’s displays and educational sessions. They were; signs of economic recovery, choices in green products and advances in technology.

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Who knew so many of you were so amazingly talented and perfect for being the Architizer guest blogger at Coverings this year?   I’m kidding – of COURSE our readers are amazingly talented and perfect for the job.

To refresh your memories, Architizer is sending a lucky guest blogger to Coverings.  The prize includes (but is not limited to):

* Round trip Airfare to Orlando, Florida from April 27-29
* Two-night stay at the Peabody Hotel
* Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Disney World
* Guided tours of the show floor
* Complimentary meals at the area’s premiere restaurants

Obviously it is a sweet deal! But there can only be one winner…

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Architizer is headed to sunny Florida for Coverings, the largest tile + stone expo in North America, and we’re looking for an intrepid design enthusiast to report on the most exciting trends and news at the show.

Are you mad for mosaic tile? Does stone make you swoon?

If so, then tell us in 200 words or less why you would be the ideal candidate to be part of the Coverings VIP Tour as the Architizer Guest Blogger.

If we think you have what it takes to spot the latest trends in tile and stone – and believe us, Coverings is the place to find them – you could win an all-expenses paid trip to the show, including:

• Round trip Airfare to Orlando, Florida from April 27-29
• Two-night stay at the Peabody Hotel
• Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Disney World
• Guided tours of the show floor
• Complimentary meals at the area’s premiere restaurants

Entries will be accepted via email at contest@architizer.com from Monday, March 29 to Monday, April 5. The winner will be announced Tuesday, April 6.

Please note: In entering the competition, you acknowledge that you are a member of Architizer.com, and that you will be available to travel to Orlando, FL, from April 27-29 and participate in a tour designed for editorial VIPs. (Heck…if you’re an Architect or Designer, you can even spec product for a project while you’re there!)

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