What the exhibitors at Cersaie don’t know about ceramics is, frankly, not worth knowing. The international design exhibition, which takes place at the Bologna Exhibition Centre every September, unites design enthusiasts and architectural leaders to review all of the incoming trends and technology in the space – and this year’s event is set to be its most prolific yet.
In 2023, Cersaie celebrated its 40th anniversary – testament to its ongoing relevance in the architectural space – with a five-day itinerary boasting over 625 exhibitors, spread across 15 halls. The 2024 edition, which launches on 23 September, will build on this success, with an unrivalled line-up of manufacturers, contractors and industry figureheads presenting future-facing insights and innovations.
A unique proposition in its field, Cersaie offers an ecosystem of talks, displays and products to pique the interest of designers, contractors and trade operators alike. Visitors can expect previews of everything from premium sanitary fittings sculpted from polished Italian marble to new-generation decorative porcelain wall and floor tiles.
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The theme for this September’s syllabus is ‘Building, Dwelling, Thinking’, with sessions on everything from the industry’s journey towards environmental sustainability to the safety considerations of ceramic flooring in wet spaces, plus live technical tiling demonstrations in the aptly-named ‘Tiling Town’. The main attraction of the event will be The Square, a 1,000-square-metre hub curated by Dario Curatolo that reimagines the concept of a Bologna piazza as a space for interaction, networking and social engagement (and browsing the pleasingly well-stocked design bookshop that you’ll find within its perimeter).
While educational in focus, there are also extensive options at Cersaie for the discerning end user, including the new ‘Cersaie Designs Your Home’ offering, where consumers can receive advice from leading Italian interior design publications.
For the 13th year in a row, Cersaie will host a lecture from the current laureate of the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize; 2024’s winner is Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto. With a career that’s seen him revolutionise the urban planning field, from private residences to public housing, Yamamoto was honoured by the panel for the way his works are ‘are always connected to society, cultivating a generosity in spirit and honouring the human moment’. His keynote speech, taking place on Thursday 26 September at 11am, is a highly anticipated addition to the agenda.
Another must-attend moment is taking shape in the form of a talk from renowned Belgian architect David Van Severen, co-founder of the Brussels-based studio OFFICE and the recipient of myriad honours, including the Belgian Prize for Architecture – one to add to your schedule for Wednesday 25 September at 3pm.
Also returning for this year are the popular Cersaie Press Cafés, a series of 18 conversations hosted with high-profile publishing partners, including ELLE Decor Italia. These informal 45-minute talks see editors in discussion with well-known figures from the industry, and will centre on themes of architectural design, both in Italy and around the globe.
Impressively, Cersaie puts on quite the show, but doesn’t charge you for it – you can access your free ticket, which is valid for all five days, simply by visiting the Cersaie website and signing up for free entry. With interactive exhibits and a programme of must-see presentations running from 9am-7pm daily, it’s one of the design calendar’s hottest entries. Book your spot now before the guest list fills up.
Cersaie takes place 23-27 September. Find out more and download your free entrance ticket at cersaie.it/en
