Orient Seeks Fountainheads, to Launch Forever Tiles

Orient Seeks Fountainheads, to Launch Forever Tiles

The Orient Bell Ceramic Foundation has launched the Orient Bell Fountainhead Trophy to honour would-be architects and interior designers by recognising their creativity and talent. Ceramic tiles major Orient Ceramics & Industries Ltd organised the launch of these awards during the recently concluded India Interior Show in New Delhi.

“This is Orient’s quest for finding Fountainheads of the Future, who have what it takes to design a new tomorrow both for themselves and for the world of creativity,” said A N Rangaswamy (an.rangaswamy@orienttiles.com), the company’s vice president – marketing and business development, while addressing the gathering at the launch.“We want to forge a long term relationship with the brightest of minds. We have instituted the Fountainhead Trophy to recognise and encourage those students who have the capability to develop concepts, and can presentideas in the architecture and interiordesign sphere.”

The award, according to Rangaswamy, is inspired by author Ayn Rand’s famous novel by the same name. The design of the Fountainhead trophies represents the vision of the initiative. There are two different trophies, for best student in interior designing and architecture, respectively. The one for the would-be interior designer displays a bird flying out of a human head, symbolising a creative mind. The other, for a buddingarchitect, showcases a staircase with a star rising out of a human head, indicating an inventive mind.

“While the former represents the search for someone with the ability to think out of the box and who is ready to soar high in the field of interior designing; the later displays our search forsomeone with the passion and ability to reach for the stars and shine in the field of architecture,” says Rangaswamy.

According to him, Orient is on the lookout for minds that have the conviction to be different. “It is an initiative to give Indian interior designers and architects a chance of a lifetime to be a symbol of excellence,” he avers.

These awards are aimed at nurturing top students from reputed schools and colleges and also individuals who possess an eye for creativity. Rangaswamy informs that Orient Bell Fountainhead Trophy will be awarded by a panel of the country’s leading architects and designers.

Meanwhile, the company has launched its fourth company-owned Orient Tile Boutique in Kolkata. Also, the company is on the verge of launching a patent-pending product called Forever Tiles. “These tiles have been tested by anindependent Italian laboratory to provide 40% higher abrasion resistance than by any competing brand, with 50-100% lower water absorption. This dual benefit results in extreme durabilityand reliability. However, as an equally compelling third benefit, customers do not need to sacrifice beauty for brawn. Forever Tiles are designed by Maria at our European Design Studio, so they look and feel as beautiful as our other products. Professional and retail customers will undoubtedly be wowed by this unique blend of silk and steel.”