11th International Aldo Villa Award

Arizona Architect Michael P. Johnson Becomes First American To Win Italy’s Prestigious Aldo Villa Award

(October 2009 -- Bologna, Italy) Arizona architect Michael P. Johnson frequently travels to Italy, most often to attend Cersaie, the international exhibition for ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings. This time, he attended the show as an honored guest. On Thursday, October 1, 2009, the Italian Ceramic Society officially announced Michael P. Johnson as the recipient of 11th International Aldo Villa Award for his commitment to Italy’s ceramic sector. As part of the award, Cersaie organizers also presented a retrospective of his work, which was on display in the fair’s architectural gallery. In addition, he was asked to participate in Cersaie’s largest-ever architectural conference program. Johnson presented a session entitled “Living in the Desert” in which he showed various architectural projects as examples of building, dwelling and living in this arid environment.

Johnson is the first North American architect to receive this prestigious prize. The award was established in 1989 by the Italian Ceramic Society to recognize an individual who has contributed to the development of the ceramic industry. It is named after Mr. Aldo Villa, chairman of SACMI, the world leader in equipment and machinery for ceramics. The recipient of the award - a gold medal designed by sculptor and ceramicist Carlo Zauli - is selected by a Committee consisting of the Chairman of the Italian Ceramic Society and five members appointed by the Board of Directors. Previous honorees include: Dr Ibrahim Bodur, founding chief and chairman of the Board of the Kale Group (2007); Prof. Carlo Palmonari, director Centro Ceramico Bologna (2005); Filippo Marazzi, chairman of Ceramiche Marazzi Group (2003); Vittoriano Bitossi, chairman of Colorobbia Holding (2001); Josè Soriano Ramos, chairman of Porcelanosa S.A. Group (1999); Prof. Leopoldo Cini, honorary chairman of Italian Ceramic Society (1997); Prof. Philip Rosenthal; chairman of Rosenthal AG (1995); Romano Minozzi; chairman of IRIS Ceramica Spa (1993); Prof Alex Muller and Dr. Georg Bednorz, researchers at the I.B.M Research Center in Zurich (1991); and Adriano Bossetti, chairman of S.I.T.I Spa (1989).

It is widely known that Johnson appreciates Italian design and ingenuity. From furnishings to hard surfaces, his projects feature a carefully curated selection of products that are “Made in Italy.” Albeit humble, Johnson is no stranger to limelight as his projects have been recognized across the globe. Similar to the prize bestowed upon him by the Italian Ceramic Society, Confindustria Ceramica (the association of Italian Ceramics) and The Italian Trade Commission have chosen Johnson as a three-time recipient of the Ceramic Tiles of Italy Design Competition Award. He first caught the jury’s eye in 2001 for the exceptional design of the Yoder Residence, a private home in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2005, he was awarded both the Commercial Prize for the Wilkinson Office-Warehouse Reconstruction and the Residential Prize for the McCue Residence Reconstruction. Three years later, Michael P. Johnson earned the first ever Ceramic Tiles of Italy Legend Award for his commitment to innovative architecture and design using Italian ceramic tile. The Phoenix, Arizona based architect submitted two projects, the Bradley Residence and the Ellsworth Residence, that once again wowed the jury with their minimalist sophistication and modern aesthetic. Johnson was also the faculty advisor responsible for the construction of the award-winning Mod.Fab located on the campus of Taliesin West. The 500 sq ft building acts as a one-bedroom apartment for visiting faculty, lecturers and architects.

For more information on Michael P. Johnson, his built projects and studio projects, visit www.mpjstudio.com.