ASAA CEO Anthony Stock, publisher of Tile Today, Discovering Stone and Creative Tiling magazines and Richard Bowman of Intertile Research Pty Ltd have joined forces to launch the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE) at Sydney Showground, 17th-19th April, 2008.

The prime objectives are to highlight the ‘green’ attributes of tile and stone and to inform specifiers, designers, buyers and members of industry about the latest products, technologies and installation materials.

Major exposure in Tile Today, Discovering Stone and relevant architecture and design journals, and an extensive direct and electronic mail campaign will promote FFTSE to building industry professionals and members of industry.

FFTSE is Australia’s only exposition that is entirely dedicated to tile and stone.

Within 14 days of announcing the launch of FFTSE more than 40% of the available floor space has been snapped up by leading local and international manufacturers, distributors and retailers of tile and stone. It is anticipated that extra space will be made available in due course.

Financial members of ASAA will receive a 6% discount against the value of the nett floor space that they book. A rebate will be paid to ASAA which will be based on the total meterage booked by ASAA members.

Leading quarriers of stone like Melocco Stone and Gosford Quarries have already booked space.

With two sets of seminars running concurrently, and a number of special exhibits and interactive demonstrations, FFTSE will showcase tile and stone to a discerning audience of buyers and specifiers.

Members of the public (15 years plus) will be admitted during two specific time slots.

For more information visit www.fullfrontalexpo.com or call Anthony Stock on (03) 9888 3459 / 2246.

Many calls are being received at ASAA’s office in relation to queries about material selection, installation and maintenance. Some problems relate to issues associated with specific installations. The number and variety of enquiries received continues to escalate. To date we have managed to assist every caller and in some instances we have been able to avert the threat of litigation, by providing timely advice or putting the caller in touch with an ASAA member who can recommend a specific solution, or visit site to provide an expert opinion.

I am currently reviewing several indemnity insurance options that will permit ASAA to take advantage of government grants, which will provide us with an opportunity to publish helpful guides and literature.

A further update will be published providing greater coverage of the results of the Australian Stone Architectural Awards.

The inaugural Australian Stone Architectural Awards were adjudicated on 8th December at Rydges Hotel, Camperdown.

The adjudicators were:

Peter Hirst, Architect – Harry Seidler and Associates
David Stevenson, Architect – Lacoste + Stevenson Pty Ltd
David West, Director of International Conservation Services and Australia Stone Advisory Association

The category winners were:

• BEST COMMERCIAL INTERIOR: Project – 126 Phillip St, Sydney. Lead architect – Foster and Partners, London. Collaborating architects – Hassell Pty Ltd, Sydney, Project Director – Sven Ollman, Stone – Austral Juperana Granite, AustralAsian Granite, processed by Melocco Stone.
• BEST COMMERCIAL EXTERIOR: Project – Hilton Hotel, Sydney. Architect – Johnson Pilton Walker Pty Ltd. Stone – Sandstone by Gosford Quarries, Austral Verde Granite by Dimension Stone Group Australia.
• BEST CIVIC PROJECT: Project – Federation Square, Melbourne. Lead architect – Peter Davidson, Lab Architecture in conjunction with Bates Smart, Stone – Kimberley sandstone, Meteor Stone.
• BEST RESIDENTIAL PROJECT: Project – Private residence, Victoria. Architect – Robert Marshall Architects and Town Planners Pty Ltd, Stone – Kanmantoo Bluestone, South Australia.
• BEST INTERNATIONAL PROJECT: Project – Australian War Memorial, London. Architect – Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, Sydney. Stone – Laguna Green Granite, Western Australia.
• BEST SCULPTURE/PUBLIC ART: Project – Wordsmiths, The Writers Café University of Queensland. Architect – Beth Wilson, Wilson Landscape Architects. Stone – Helidon Sandstone Flags with Brisbane tuff.

The awards were presented by David West on Friday 8th December at Villa Rosa reception centre in Leichardt, Sydney.

The dinner was attended by 191 members of the tile and stone industries, their guests and leading architects.

The 8th Creative Tiling Awards were also held on the same night.

More information and images will feature on the following websites: www.asaa.com.au (Australian Stone Architectural Awards) and www.infotile.com.au (Creative Tiling press releases and images).

NATIONAL PROMOTION

Press releases featuring information and images about both sets of awards will be circulated to the following media:

• Major architectural building and construction publications
• Leading daily newspapers in all states
• Selected regional newspapers in some states

Leading media analysts Media Monitors will report on which journals publish the press release. Media Monitors will supply copies of the actual article as it appeared together with readership figures. A report will be forwarded to all award participants in March. The press release will be released week commencing 8th January.

Many thanks for participating in the awards and in Creative Tiling, which will go on sale nationally on 20th December for 11 months.

For more information contact Anthony Stock on 03 9888 2246.

We welcome new members Graham Combe (Outback Marble Co (Aust) P/L). If you would like to join ASAA click here

On Friday 8th December the first Australian Stone Architectural Awards will be presented at a Gala dinner. The awards will be adjudicated by ASAA Director David West and members of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects two days earlier on 6th December.

At least 20 ASAA members will be on hand. Total attendance will approach 200.
Nett proceeds from the gala charity ball will be donated to the Special Childrens Christmas Party.

Attendees will enjoy a fabulous three course dinner at the Villa Rosa in Leichardt, preceded by Champagne and oysters in the park (opposite the venue).

• 100 of the 450 oysters served in the park will be raffled. One of the oysters will contain a black pearl.
• 200 numbered helium filled balloons will be raffled with three prizes valued at $1000, $500 and $300.
• A silent auction of ten items will be held.

The Creative Tiling awards will also be presented, featuring numerous entries that utilise ceramic tile and stone.

Bring your partner and dance the night away to music from a great band.

Treat your staff to a pre-xmas event that celebrates your industry and provides a real benefit to a worthy charity.

Call Joanne Salem on 02 8717 9000 to book tickets by 4th December at the latest.

Cost: $120 pp inc. drinks and dinner.

For more Information click here
Report on Slip Resistance Standards Meeting