The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 ISFA Awards. The program honors excellence in application design, fabrication and installation of projects using manufactured surfacing materials. Projects submitted must employ the designated surfacing material and meet the ISFA minimum standards for the material. In addition, the project must exemplify excellence in all methods of the fabrication process, including safety, training and the use of technology.
An independent panel of industry professionals selected the winners for the seven project-based awards. The Fabricator of the Year and the ISFA Hall of Fame submissions were narrowed to finalists and a vote from the membership determined winners.
Winners were announced at the 2023 ISFA Annual Conference, which took place Oct. 16-19, 2023, in Sint Maarten. The award recipients in residential categories are:
Residential Solid Surface Project of the Year: The Madison Club feature wall in Palm Springs, California, fabricated by M|R Walls of Santa Monica, California.
The Madison Club is a private home located in Palm Springs. The 3D carved backlit feature wall is made of Corian solid surface in glacier white. The fabricator’s unique “Reeds” design includes a massive array of LED lights with special acrylic stiffeners. M|R Walls has developed proprietary, patented software and fluency in CNC operation, which empowers the team to produce impeccably crafted puzzle pieces with ease of installation in mind. The fabricator supplies and installs the design, including the lights, while ensuring seamless integration between the lights and the grooves. Overcoming the initial challenge of striking the perfect balance between the lights and the grooves is instrumental in achieving the desired results, delivering high-quality, reliable and visually stunning installations.
Residential Mineral Surface Project of the Year: A series of bathrooms in a home in Hesse, Germany, fabricated by Rosskopf + Partner of Obermehler, Germany. Sintered stone was used for the floors, zero-entry shower trays and walls in this residential home in Hesse. For the three bathrooms, the tiles were fabricated on a waterjet in special formats. The warm gray tone Pietra di Luna by Neolith’s sintered stone was combined with sinks made of Avonite’s white solid surface material, creating a timeless, elegant look. This unique project was challenging due to the size, weight and care needed during transportation and installation.
Residential Quartz Project of the Year: Floating stairs in a home in Austin, Texas, fabricated by Alpha Granite & Tile of Austin. These Floating Stairs in a residential property in Austin were fabricated using Caesarstone Quartz in vivid white. Technical challenges included accurate digital templating of metal stair supports, ultra-precise fabrication of quartz, and masterful installation of perfectly level treads, risers and custom filler strips.
Additional awards included:
Commercial Solid Surface Project of the Year: Seneca Valley Ehrman Crest Elementary School in Harmony, Pennsylvania, fabricated by ASST of McSherrystown, Pennsylvania.
Commercial Mineral Surface Project of the Year: The Silva Hotel rooftop grills in Washington, D.C., fabricated by Ellis Page Company of Manassas, Virginia.
Commercial Quartz Project of the Year: 3D Puzzle of Superlatives public benches in Uppsala, Sweden, fabricated by Rosskopf + Partner of Obermehler, Germany.
Sustainable Project of the Year: The Tideline Autograph Marriott in West Palm Beach, Florida, fabricated by Moderno Porcelain Works of Sunrise, Florida.
Fabricator of the Year: Eastern Surfaces, Allentown, Pennsylvania. With a remarkable legacy spanning more than four decades in the natural stone and solid surface industries, Eastern Surfaces has left an indelible mark on the hearts of thousands of satisfied customers in and around Allentown. Through the years, Eastern Surfaces has embodied the core principles of ISFA — an adherence to strict standards of excellence, the pursuit of cutting-edge technology and a commitment to ongoing innovation.
ISFA Hall of Fame Inductees: Mike Langenderfer, The Countertop Shop, Monclova, Ohio; Omar Salazar, Rockin’teriors, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Mike Langenderfer is the president and CEO of The Countertop Shop in Monclova, an impressive operation that fabricates everything from laminate to porcelain. Langenderfer has been a member of ISFA since its inception in 1997 and has played various leadership roles within the association, including past president and executive director. He is the go-to person whenever assistance is needed, exemplifying his commitment to supporting others. In addition, he has dedicated more than seven years to the Toledo Area Small Business Association. In 2022, Langenderfer was honored with induction into the Entrepreneurial & Business Excellence Hall of Fame, recognizing his remarkable achievements. He remains actively engaged in his community, serving on the Springfield Area Prevention Coalition board to prevent drug abuse in schools, and he sponsors two programs at the Family Business Center at the University of Toledo, which aims to educate and empower the next generation of business leaders.
Omar Salazar led and served as senior crew chief at Rockin’teriors until his passing on August 14, 2023. For 15 years, Salazar was instrumental in recruiting and forming the fabricator skill set at Rockin’teriors. His passion for sustainability, digital solutions and building a skillful and experienced staff was extraordinary. General contractors, designers and fabricators sought his expertise as an advisor and problem solver. He helped and inspired numerous fabricators throughout the industry with his vast knowledge and expertise in the fabrication and installation of the most complicated commercial and residential jobs. Salazar was always willing to share his technical knowledge to help make the industry better, and he will always be remembered for his kindness and generosity.
“The ISFA Awards program is designed to create awareness around the wide array of surfacing materials on the market today and the unique applications in which they are used,” said Austin Maxwell, ISFA president. “But above all, the ISFA Awards program is a platform for fabricators to gain recognition for their outstanding work in various applications. We’re pleased to honor these exceptional fabricators and showcase their amazing work and contributions to the industry.”
Photos are courtesy of the International Surface Fabricators Association and Lensology Photography
