FreeAxez created Gridd, the premier low-profile raised flooring and cable management system, to empower facilities to keep pace with today’s dynamic environments. Whether you’re adapting to new technology, expanding your workspace, or simply planning for the future, Gridd gives you the freedom to reconfigure infinitely without disruption — all while minimizing waste and maximizing ROI.

Gridd is a modular system available in 1.6 inches (40 mm) or 2.75 inches (70 mm). Gridd provides accessible cabling infrastructure, allowing facility teams to work smarter, faster, and more sustainably. With the addition of Gridd Power, an integrated 50-amp modular bus system and Gridd Mobile, an Augmented Reality (AR) app for real time access to everything FMs need to know about the building’s power and data cabling right on their smart devices, FreeAxez gives facility teams complete control over their building’s infrastructure today — and tomorrow.

Visit FreeAxez during NeoCon 2025 at Booth 7-5038!

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Design enclosed offices, conference rooms or open lounges using endlessly customizable combinations of glass and solid walls. Whether used as standalone rooms or linked beneath a single post-and-beam framework, WiggleRoom Super Structure is an architectural solution that optimizes both layout and budget.

Accredited as a Certified Autism Resource by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, WiggleRoom Super Structure also offers a calming escape from sensory overload — giving students and professionals a quiet place to relax, learn or connect. For enhanced acoustic comfort, solid wall panels can be clad in PET felt for additional sound absorption.

Discover the possibilities with WiggleRoom Super Structure at NeoCon 2025 in Chicago, June 9–11. Visit KI Wall in THE MART showroom #1181.

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The annual CID Awards program offers designers, architects, builders, installers, contractors and other industry professionals a prime opportunity to showcase and be celebrated for their masterful design work and superior installation skills. The 2025 award recipients were honored at the CID Awards Reception and Ceremony, held April 30 in the Galvanize Lounge at Coverings 2025 in Orlando, Florida.

This year’s winners were recognized for their exemplary achievements in the design and installation of tile and stone across residential, institutional and commercial projects. Projects were judged by a panel of editors and industry leaders who evaluated the project submissions based on 10 categorical designations: Artistic Design, Artistic Installation, Commercial Ceramic Tile Design, Commercial Ceramic Tile Installation, Commercial Stone Design, Commercial Stone Installation, Residential Ceramic Tile Design, Residential Ceramic Tile Installation, Residential Stone Design and Residential Stone Installation.

2025 project entries receiving special recognition were selected across the following eight award categories: Commercial Ceramic Tile Design, Commercial Ceramic Tile Pool Design, Commercial Stone Installation, International, Residential Ceramic Tile Design, Residential Ceramic Tile Installation, Residential Stone Design and Residential Tile Pool Design.

2025 CID Award Winners – Design and Installation:

Artistic Design
Watsonville Brillante
Community Arts & Empowerment with support from LATICRETE
Watsonville, CA

Artistic Installation
Wavetronix Glass Murals
Unique Mosaics LLC
Springville, UT

Commercial Ceramic Tile Design
Johnson Lexus ArtWork and Craftsmanship
MVE+ Partners Inc.
Durham, NC

Commercial Ceramic Tile Installation
Johnson Lexus ArtWork and Craftsmanship
Art Tile of NC
Durham, NC

Commercial Ceramic Tile Installation
Wind Creek Casino Chicago Southland
Bourbon Tile & Marble
Chicago, IL

Commercial Stone Design
Charleston Place Hotel
Sunray Flooring Company
Charleston, S.C.

Commercial Stone Installation
Tre Dita Restaurant
Bourbon Tile & Marble
Chicago, IL

Residential Ceramic Tile Design
Clarkston Primary Bathroom
Armina Interiors
Clarkston, MI

Residential Ceramic Tile Installation
A Sophisticated Spa
DW Sanders Tile & Stone Contracting
Atlanta, GA

Residential Stone Design
Ebony Acres
Rob Bowen Design
Safety Harbor, FL

Residential Stone Installation
Private Residence – Central Florida
Stone Tile Group
Orlando, FL

2025 CID Award Winners – Special Recognitions: 

Special Recognition: Commercial Ceramic Tile Design
Tikka Charcoal Grill
Olbos Studio
Hicksville, NY

Special Recognition: Commercial Ceramic Tile Pool Design
Thompson Hotel Custom Pool
Nuovocorso SpA
Houston, TX

Special Recognition: Commercial Stone Installation
St John’s Catholic Chapel Champaign, Illinois
Daprato Rigali Studios
Champaign, IL

Special Recognition: Commercial Stone Installation
Taylorsville, Utah Temple
KEPCO+
Taylorsville, UT

Special Recognition: International
Flow House
Dubbeldam Architecture + Design
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Special Recognition: International
National Children’s Museum of South Korea
Office Ou and Junglim Architecture
Sejong, Republic of Korea

Special Recognition: International
Resonance Pattern Series
SCG Decor Public Company Limited
Phuket, Thailand

Special Recognition: Residential Ceramic Tile Design
TUR APARTMENTS
OOIIO ARQUITECTURA
Carabanchel, Madrid, Spain

Special Recognition: Residential Ceramic Tile Installation
Hill Country Glamour
GB IV Designs
Dripping Springs, TX

Special Recognition: Residential Ceramic Tile Installation
Hofer Relaxation Area
Tile Creations LLC
Huron, SD

Special Recognition: Residential Stone Design
CRYSTAL COVE
CANTERA INC.
Newport Coast, CA

Special Recognition: Residential Tile Pool Design
Frank Lloyd done Wright
Mosaicist, Inc
Arlington, TX

The judging panel for the 2025 CID Awards included: Andrea Lillo, Designers Today; Bart Bettiga, National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA); Catherine Hoy, Frank Advertising, representing Tile of Spain; Chris Abbate, Novità Communications, representing Ceramics of Italy; Eric Astrachan, Tile Council of North America (TCNA); Jennifer Richinelli, Stone World and Stone & Tile Insider; Kathy Meyer, Tile Council of North America (TCNA); Laura Rote, Green Building & Design; Nyle Wadford, Neuse Tile; Rocamador Rubio, Trade Commission of Spain, representing Tile of Spain; Sara White, Novità Communications, representing Ceramics of Italy; and Scott Carothers, Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF).

The 2025 CID Awards are sponsored by Stone World, Stone & Tile Insider and TileLetter.

To learn more about the Coverings Installation & Design (CID) Awards, please visit Coverings CID Awards. For more information and to register for Coverings 2025, visit: Coverings.

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The LVT’s modern, abstract, linear design offers a subtle nod to grasscloth textiles, providing warmth and texture to healthcare spaces. ColorLink delivers the highest performance scratch resistance and resists UV light degradation, hand sanitizers, disinfectants and common stains thanks to its ExoGuard+ topical finish. The product’s light embossing simplifies maintenance in healthcare areas that require additional infection control.

The collection features an extensive color palette, including colors that can be used for wayfinding and zoning. The bright colorways are ideal for pediatrics environments, while the neutrals and soothing blues offer a soft foundation for healing in higher acuity spaces. Additionally, ColorLink pairs with many other Shaw Contract carpet tile and LVT products, providing connectivity throughout any space.

The 8×48 plank format allows for endless installation possibilities, accommodating various design preferences and spatial requirements. Additionally, ColorLink requires no finishing, waxing, buffing, or stripping, making it a low-maintenance option that reduces overall upkeep costs and effort.

At the end of its useful life, we’ll reclaim and recycle ColorLink through our Environmental Guarantee, re[TURN] program.

Explore ColorLink today and transform your healthcare spaces into healing havens.

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This collaboration marks a significant step in expanding HMTX’s reach and providing customers with greater access to Teknoflor’s high-performance design flooring solutions across the United States.

Headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, HMTX Industries is a global flooring company serving a diverse cross section of the construction and renovation marketplaces through both its household product brands and OEM/private label manufacturing. HMTX’s brands include Metroflor, Teknoflor, Aspecta and Allure.

Spartan Surfaces is a specialty flooring supplier headquartered in Bel Air, MD. Employing over 250 team members, Spartan prides itself on taking a human-centered approach to business. Spartan holds warehousing and offices in Maryland, Minnesota, and Upstate New York with showrooms in D.C., New York City, and Chicago. Its geography spans the contiguous United States, with continued expansion on the horizon.

Russ Rogg, president of HMTX Contract and Trade, stated:

With Spartan Surfaces’ extensive distribution network, industry expertise, and commitment to customer satisfaction, we are confident that this partnership will enhance service and bring our products to a broader market. Together, we look forward to delivering exceptional flooring solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers nationwide, supporting and accelerating innovation, customer responsiveness and agility

Spartan Surfaces Vice President of Strategy and Growth Sean Swanson remarked:

HMTX is a longtime global leader in the LVT space. They lead the market in sustainable practices, quality, performance, and product design. Bringing their lines to market on a national level reaffirms our “all in” commitment to provide best-in-class solutions for the healthcare environment.

Nicolette Grieco and Kendra Mahen will continue to lead Teknoflor branded sales across North America. Grieco will continue serve as vice president of Sales for the Midwest and Eastern United States, while Mahen will serve as vice president of Sales for the Southwest and Western states.

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This research — produced by Brookings Metro, Gensler, HRA Advisors, and Eckholm Studios, with support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) — provides a data-driven framework to help cities optimize office-to-residential (O2R) policy and practice.

Tracy Hadden-Loh, fellow at The Brookings Institution, stated:

Office to residential conversions feel like a way to solve two problems with one solution — but what we learned from these case studies is that across cities there are differing motivations, goals, and thus policy levers that it makes sense to pull on.

The report finds that office-to-residential conversions present a strategic opportunity to tackle three pressing urban issues:

• Unmet housing demand: Cities like Los Angeles face a critical shortage of housing, particularly for lower-income households.
• Office market distress: Many downtowns, such as Pittsburgh’s, are struggling to repurpose aging office stock as tenant needs evolve, putting pressure on local tax revenues.
• Downtown vibrancy: Many cities are seeing weekly visits at less than 50% of pre-pandemic levels, resulting in small businesses struggling and downtowns feeling empty.

While some cities have seen organic conversion activity in high-demand housing markets, the report emphasizes that in many cases, local policy and financial incentives are essential to making projects viable.

Steven Paynter, principal at Gensler, remarked:

Too often, conversations about office-to-residential conversions overlook the real data needed to drive informed, effective decisions. This study is different. We conducted in-depth research on both the physical realities of downtown buildings and the financial feasibility of conversions. Our approach is grounded in facts — real data, real buildings, and real economic conditions — so that cities can craft policies that actually work in the real world.

Jon Meyers, partner, HR&A Advisors, pointed out:

Our research on downtown areas across the country shows that the most successful urban cores serve multiple purposes and attract diverse groups of people throughout the day and week. Converting empty office space for new uses presents a strong opportunity to help downtowns thrive as economic engines for their cities and regions. Our study highlights various strategies that are already working in different cities, and we invite local leaders to use these insights to help identify their priorities, recognize opportunities in their communities, and implement the right tools to achieve their goals.

Through a combination of market analysis, stakeholder interviews, and architectural feasibility assessments, the study identifies four key levers that cities can use to facilitate office-to-residential conversions:

• Regulatory flexibility: Zoning and building code reforms, such as allowing conversions by-right, help to accelerate projects.
• Financial incentives: Tools like tax abatements, historic preservation credits, and low-cost financing help bridge the feasibility gap.
• Demand-driven strategies: Investments in public space, transit and amenities can boost residential appeal in former office corridors.
• Targeted subsidies: Inclusionary zoning or direct subsidies can ensure conversions also advance affordability and equity goals.

While office-to-residential conversions have largely been driven by local and state governments, the report highlights a growing role for federal support. Historic tax credits have played a significant role in past conversions, and HUD’s continued engagement could help scale efforts nationwide.

The study underscores that there is no one-size-fits-all solution — effective strategies must be tailored to each city’s fiscal structure, real estate market and regulatory environment. However, this study’s broad research has created foundational policies that will form the basis for all U.S. cities seeking to create more vibrancy and reinvigorate housing supply.

Understanding Office-to-Residential Conversion: Lessons from Six U.S. Case Studies is available at Brookings.

About the Study

This report is based on qualitative and quantitative research conducted between June and October 2024. The research team conducted interviews with public- and private-sector leaders, analyzed commercial real estate trends using CoStar data, and evaluated the architectural feasibility of conversions using Gensler’s O2R conversion algorithm. This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under a cooperative agreement.

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The prestigious competition highlights the most innovative and visually compelling projects from designers, architects and custom installers from across the United States, all showcasing the creative use of DMF Lighting products.

Judges assessed the entries based on innovation, aesthetic integration and the creative use of DMF Lighting products, while identifying the designs that best push the boundaries of lighting and architecture.

Founder and President of DMF Lighting Mark Danesh stated:

We are thrilled to celebrate the extraordinary talent and innovation in this year’s submissions. These projects demonstrate how lighting can transform spaces and elevate design.

Commercial DMF Design Awards 2025 winners and prizes include:

• Second Place: AIA|LA + ACLA Center for Communities, Los Angeles, California, designed by Clay Holden, Clay Holden Architects. The lighting design was done by HLB Lighting Design and the MEPT Engineer on the project was Introba. Clay Holden Architects received a $5,000 cash prize.

• Third Place: Potawatomi Casino, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, designed by Teresa Haas, Ring & DuChateau. The firm received a $2,500 cash prize.

The winning projects will be featured on DMF Lighting’s website, social media platforms and in upcoming case studies to inspire the design community. Winners were featured at LEDucation in New York City and may be viewed at DMF Lighting Design Awards.

This year’s entries were evaluated by a distinguished panel of industry leaders, including:

• Mark Danesh, founder and president, DMF Lighting
• Christine Vroom, principal interior designer and founder, Christine Vroom Interiors
• Simone Lapenta, design director and director of Visualization, RIOS Architecture
• Brian Busch, director of Pre-construction, Rosendin Electric

The DMF Lighting Design Awards will continue to celebrate and support design excellence, offering a platform for professionals to gain national recognition for their work. Stay tuned for details on next year’s awards at DMF Lighting.

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National Tile Day serves as a valuable platform to highlight the many outstanding qualities of ceramic tile, including its unparalleled sustainability and timeless beauty. The official industry holiday also underscores the diverse benefits of ceramic tile across a broad range of applications, from residential and commercial spaces to hospitality, industrial, and both indoor and outdoor environments.

The Top Tile Trends for 2025 provide an inspiring first glimpse of the inventive and captivating tile product displays that will be featured at Coverings 2025, scheduled to take place April 29 to May 2, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

The 2025 lineup of groundbreaking tile trends, chosen by Coverings’ three leading sponsors and international tile associations — Ceramics of Italy/Confindustria Ceramica, Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association of Spain (ASCER)/Tile of Spain and Tile Council of North America (TCNA) — showcases the most sought-after and stylish designs from the worldwide tile industry.

Coverings spokesperson Alena Capra, owner of Alena Capra Designs and Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer, collaborated with the associations to forecast the trends which are expected to dominate tile design and installation decisions throughout the year and beyond.

Capra stated:

The 2025 tile trends highlight ceramic tile’s limitless potential across residential, commercial and hospitality spaces, emphasizing its unmatched versatility, exceptional durability and superior hygiene advantages. National Tile Day is more than a preview of the latest trends; it is an opportunity to appreciate tile and its countless benefits as a leading, environmentally friendly building material.

Capra will join a panel of industry experts during Coverings 2025 to discuss the year’s top tile trends at the “Global Tile Trends” session, Tuesday, April 29, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT. The presentation will feature a deep dive into the latest tile styles, supported by stunning visuals of tile in numerous exterior and interior applications.

Coverings 2025 will offer an array of additional trends-related activations, education sessions, panels, presentations and live demonstrations for distributors, retailers, interior designers, architects, contractors, installers, stone fabricators, and other tile and stone professionals. Attendees can learn more by visiting the full program schedule online.

The following Top 10 Tile Trends of 2025 are summarized in alphabetical order:

1. Colors of Sand: The world is known for rich colors and calming hues of sand on and near beaches, dunes, deserts, ocean floors and other sites and places. With a warm and often calming palette, the colors of sand are earnest and neutral, portraying the essence of a natural, earthy and eco-friendly environment. So too does ceramic tile in the colors of sand give rise to peaceful, relaxing and eye-catching atmospheres. Sand-inspired tile colors stem from the color wheel’s warmer and lighter side of the brown spectrum, extending from off-white and cream to golden beige, tawny, fulvous and tan. The design and installation options with tile in a range of colors inspired by sand are limitless, as evidenced by nearly infinite product selections seen in widely popular indoor and outdoor applications around the globe.
2. Discreet Tech: As AI and smart home technology advance, the domestic automation sector is also rapidly growing, with a focus on enhancing quality of life and energy efficiency. Ceramic tile is essential in this evolution, thanks to its non-conductive properties that protect electrical systems while maintaining connectivity. Modern tiles now incorporate features like pressure-sensitive LED lighting and induction cooking, making it easier to blend cutting-edge technology with elegant design.
3. Holistic Experience: As the integration of technology in residential settings continues to rise, there is a growing desire to incorporate natural elements into built environments. Reflecting on the urgent impacts of climate change on the environment, our connection to nature has become a central focus in architectural and interior design. Ceramics, with their inherent properties and moisture resistance, create an ideal environment for houseplants to thrive without the risk of deterioration. Additionally, advancements in digital technology enable the realistic recreation of organic details, ensuring that both the cladding and greenery in a space provide a rich biophilic experience.

   

4. Lines, Lines, Lines: This season, it’s all about lines. Thanks to impressive innovations in 3D technologies, these decorative details – whether it be striped, ribbed or fluted looks – create dynamic volumes and plays of light and shadow with contrasting materials and colors, adding depth and character into a space, while geometric patterns and bold stripes bring moments of movement and intrigue.
5. Mineral Drenching: Color drenching takes a bold turn with the use of gauged porcelain panels. Enveloping entire spaces in the rich tones and textures seen in marble, onyx or travertine creates a seamless and dramatic effect. From floors and walls to countertops and even furniture, the natural beauty and texture of marble-look tile – be it a bold black, grounding green or luminous white – become the dominant visual elements, transforming the space into an immersive work of art, as luxurious as it is grounding.
6. Mosaic Artistry: From café entrances to cathedral ceilings, mosaic tiles have long combined beauty and functionality, allowing designers to create personalized patterns and artistic statements. Today, mosaics are having a big (or rather, large format) resurgence. Porcelain panels with stone looks artfully cut together, either in geometric layouts or flowing organic designs, merge traditional mosaic artistry with modern durability and low maintenance. Whether handcrafted or large format, mosaic styles continue to transform surfaces large and small into captivating focal points.
7. Re-Human: In an age dominated by AI and algorithms, there is a revived longing for the tactile, human experience. As such, tile surfaces are increasingly drawing inspiration from materials like corrugated paper, torn fabric, textile design and handcrafted wooden textures, while showcasing delicate floral engravings and three-dimensional extruded volumes, working to powerfully bridge the gap between high-tech and hand-made artistry.
8. Sensorial Design: Interior designers are going beyond the visual spectrum to curate spaces that engage all five senses. Thanks to advancements in digital decorative technology, ceramic manufacturers are now able to perfectly replicate natural textures and patterns, creating tiles with enhanced tactile and visual experiences. Furthermore, many designers are paying closer attention to the sense of smell. As ceramic tiles are naturally free of VOCs, they do not retain odors; rather, they assist with establishing an aromatically pleasing and clean environment.

   

9. Veins of Gold: The opulence of marble-look tile is elevated to brilliant new heights with a touch of gold. Creamy stone looks, accentuated by rich golden veining radiate warmth and grandeur, bringing a touch of luxury to any setting. Innovative glaze applications allow for metallic variations that reflect just enough light to strike the balance between dazzling and demure.
10. Waterworld: Water spurred major inspiration across contemporary ceramic design this season, flooding the scene with color palettes of soft aquas and pastels to deep sea, ethereal hues. Patterns, textures and fluid, smooth forms reminiscent of sea-waves are brought to life through three-dimensional reliefs, traditional brushstrokes, masterful glazing techniques, and distinct shading effects, along with prefabricated ceramic furnishings including blue washbasins and sanitaryware.

Attendees will have the opportunity to discover the Top 10 Ceramic Tile Trends and other global tile and stone product offerings at Coverings 2025, North America’s largest international tile and stone exposition and conference. For more information and to register for Coverings 2025, visit Coverings.

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Insul-SHIELD Black is very similar to the original Insul-SHIELD, but with a dye added to the fiberglass to create a black core, explains the company. This self-supporting rigid board is ideal for applications like theaters and dark amusement park rides, as the black core reduces the potential for the yellow fiberglass color to show through. It makes an ideal backdrop behind theater screens as it eliminates concern about back scatter into the viewing area.

Insul-SHIELD Black is fire resistant (ASTM E84) and also has excellent sound control with relatively thin boards.

Ashleigh Denman, JM product manager, stated:

Insul-SHIELD Black improves upon our original product with the new black core. The product is now perfect for use in theaters, music studios and amusement park rides by creating a dark core that absorbs unwanted light while providing excellent acoustics.

Insul-SHIELD Black comes in thicknesses of 1-3” and in 2’x4’ or 4’x8’ sized boards for easy installation. It meets all the same specifications and testing requirements as the company’s standard Insul-SHIELD product.

Insul-SHIELD Black Data Sheet, SDS and Product Selector Guide are available on Johns Manville for more information.

Learn more about JM’s complete line of commercial fiberglass building insulation products here.

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Why is emergency exit signage so important?

• Rapid evacuation: Clear exit signage can significantly reduce evacuation time, allowing people to exit quickly and calmly.
• Reduced panic: Well-placed signage can help maintain order and prevent confusion in stressful situations.
• Accessibility for all: ADA-compliant signage ensures that everyone, including those with disabilities, can easily identify and access exit routes.
• Compliance with regulations: Adhering to National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and International Code Council (ICC) regulations is crucial to avoid fines and legal issues.

What do the regulations say?

The NFPA and ICC have specific guidelines for emergency exit signage in houses of worship:

• Exit path marking: All exits must be clearly marked with illuminated exit signs.
• Photoluminescent signage: Consider photoluminescent exit signs that glow in the dark for better visibility during power outages.
• ADA compliance: All signage must be accessible to people with disabilities, including those with visual impairments, following guidelines set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Choosing the right signage for your house of worship

When selecting emergency exit signage, consider the following factors:

• Visibility: Signs should be easily visible from a distance, even in low-light conditions.
• Durability: Signage should be made from high-quality materials that can withstand wear and tear.
• Compliance: Ensure that signs meet all applicable NFPA and ICC standards as well as local fire safety codes.
• Style: Select signs that complement the architecture and aesthetics of your house of worship while maintaining clarity.
• Maintenance: Regular inspections and maintenance are crucial to keep signage in good condition, clean, and free of damage for optimal visibility.

Additional tips for enhanced safety

• Regular inspections: Conduct regular checks to ensure signage is in good working order and free of obstructions.
• Emergency preparedness: Organize fire drills and train members on evacuation procedures.
• Clear communication: Develop a plan to inform congregants of emergencies and guide them towards exits.

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