The winners of the Macael Awards, organised by the Association of Businessmen of Marble of Andalucía (AEMA), in the 2019 edition, are the following:
International Award for North America: Silva villa, Orlando (Florida) U.S.A.
It is a villa of almost 3000 square meters of surface. 700 cubic meters of Nessuna limestone has been used in this project, supervised by the team of architects Nasrallah Architectural Group. The material, placed both indoors and outdoors, on floors, walls and classic elements such as pilasters, railings and columns up to seven meters high, together with the factory work of the Marble Region, which has required the care of even the smallest detail.
International Award for Latin America: BICSA Financial Center Building, Panama city, Panama
It is one of the tallest and most representative buildings in Latin America. More than 3000 square meters of ‘Blanco Macael’ Marble listed in 100x100x2 format, combined with Marble Gray Macael, Negro Marquina and Roman Travertine, cover the common areas of this complex. Several rosettes made with ‘water jet’ technology, in ‘Blanco Macael’, Gris Macael and Negro Marquina stands out in the floor of the main hall.
International Award for Asia: Mondrian Doha Hotel, Doha, Qatar
Designed by Marcel Wanders, the project, carried out in collaboration with ‘GHESA Ingeniería y Tecnología S.A.’ and directed by the architect Yunes Mansilla Charvier, it consists of different exterior and interior fountains. On the one hand, the exterior fountains in the form of a circular mosaic, made of ‘Blanco Macael Arabescato’ Marble, Negro Marquina and slate, mix light and water achieving sensational artistic effects. The interior fountains are Blanco Carrara marble and the Hamman, is made on Gray Limestone, from Catalonia, Spain. In it, techniques of engraving and carving have been carried out.
Award for Africa: The Leonardo Sandton, Johannesburgo, South Africa
With 234 meters high, divided into 55 floors, has become the tallest tower in Africa. It has an area of 15,000 square meters for premium offices and luxury homes, including the Leonardo suite, of 2,880 square meters, the Architecture Company Co-Arc International project, houses 24,350 square meters of the ultra-compact Dekton surface on the facade, lobby and entrance columns, and 3,526 square meters of Silestone on kitchen and bathroom countertops in bars, restaurant, gym and spa.
International Award for Europe: LAGASCA 99, Madrid, Spain
Located at the gates of the famous Madrid Golden Mile, it has been promoted by Grupo Lar and designed by the prestigious architect Rafael de la Hoz. This exclusive complex of 44 homes, two premises, an English garden illuminated with natural light, gym, indoor pool, private meeting rooms, a private British club and a roof garden, has a facade of 330 pieces, of 2,200 kg. each one, in Travertino de Piedra Natural by Cosentino. In the same material are made floors, walls and stairs of common areas. All the main kitchens have Dekton and Silestone countertops.
National Award: Centro Canalejas, Madrid, Spain
A unique project which recovers seven historic buildings of different styles, to create an architectural complex composed of areas for different uses: hotel, residences, shopping center, restaurants and parking. With more than 7,500 square meters of restored façade and almost 600 million investment made, the OHL Desarrollos and Mohari Hospitality complex is already an emblem of the Spanish capital with the seal of the Marble Region of Macael. Marbles, granites and onyx cover the floors, walls, and other carved stone finishes to cover the doors entrance, stairs, thresholds and other details. Among them: Arabescato Gold, White Thasos, Calacata Gold, Limestone, Crema Albero, Crema Levante, Crema Ella, Crema Moca, Fior di Bosco, Jerusalem Gold, National Green Marble, Negro Marquina, Negro Portoro, Avorio Onyx, Gray Onyx, Cream Pearl and granites White Crystal, gray and Antik Brown.
Design Award: TOHA, Tel Aviv, Israel
It is a 29-floor office complex, located in the center of Tel Aviv and designed by Ron Arad with the local Avner Yashar team. Inspired by the geometry of an iceberg, it houses more than 28,000 square meters of Dekton spread over façade, pavement, elevators, roofs and interior divisions. The pieces, formed by more than 10,000 types, have been manufactured and cut in the Region and transported by ship to Israel.
“Blanco Macael” Marble Award: Hotel Casa Palacio María Luisa, Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
An historic palatial house from the early 19th century, which houses the only five-star luxury hotel located in Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain. With more than 2,000 square meters of surface, the ‘Blanco Macael’ Marble predominates as a reference material, with small contrasts of Negro Marquina, Rojo Alicante and Crema Cenia, covering this complex that has managed to maintain its classic essence including contemporary elements. Floors, walls, countertops and bathroom sinks look renewed with ‘Blanco Macael’ in this project where all rooms have a different design.
Ignacio Pérez Díaz, CEO of Grupo la Zagaleta, has been awarded with the Person Award for his great commitment and confidence in the companies of the Natural Stone sector, to execute some of the most luxurious and exclusive villas in Europe. The Communication Award is for NKBA – National Kitchen and bath Association, for their support to international companies in the sector, helping them to grow and that their products are chosen in the United States. The NKBA publishes the “NKBA Innovation + Inspiration Magazine” and promotes the largest annual international fair dedicated to the kitchen and bathroom industry, KBIS (Kitchen & Bath Industry Show).
The awards ceremony will be held on 22 November in Macael (Almería), Spain.
