More than 100,000 designers, architects, journalists and enthusiasts will touch down in the historic Italian city of Bologna next week, to see what new wares the world’s premier tile and bathroom manufacturers have to offer at Cersaie. There’s more than 156,000 square metres of exhibition space to explore, with over 870 booths and a packed programme of events. Here’s a sneak peek.

1 Norman Foster keynote
An architecturally focused keynote lecture is an annual highlight of the Cersaie programme; past guests of honour have included Glenn Murcutt, Rafael Moneo and David M. Childs. This year, it will be Sir Norman Foster addressing the Cersaie 2016 crowds at Tuesday’s soldout keynote event. Called “10 on 10: Ten Fosters and Ten Others,” the talk will see the Pritzker Prize winner consider 10 of his own architectural works from over the years, as well as 10 by architects that he finds inspirational. Italian architecture historian Francesco Dal Co will introduce the talk.

2 Bologna Design Week
After a successful launch year in 2015, the city’s namesake design weeks returns, partially coinciding with Cersaie. From September 28 to October 1, the city centre will host a plethora of exhibits, talks and installations – including a display of 100 miniature chairs from Vitra’s collection of tiny reproductions.

3 Stunning, textural tile, like the 3D Wall Design Collection from Atlas Concorde
Ceramic wall tiles with textured finishes can transform walls into interior architectural works, adding dimension and depth. At Cersaie 2016, Italian brand Atlas Concorde will be previewing new additions to its 3D Wall Design collection of undulating and multifaceted designs, available in a soft satin or glossy finish. Mutina will also be showing off its latest textured offerings, from its Mistral line by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby. Inspired by roofing tiles used in ancient Italian farm buildings, Mistral is more block than tile. The glazed terracotta pieces can be stacked and angled to create a louvered wall.

4 Bathroom innovation, like thermal furnishings by HoM
More than 200 exhibitors will be showing off the latest and greatest in bathroom fixtures. Hom – a spinoff brand owned by Rotfil, a leading European producer of electric heaters – will be among them, exhibiting its line of heated bathroom objects for warming and drying clothing and towels.

Designed by Davide Vercelli, the collection includes heated shelves, seating and storage made from traditional or natural materials, like terracotta and cedar. Inside each object is sintered tile containing a cartridge heater, which retains the heat and disperses it throughout. The line’s energy-efficient warming system is, according to HOM, the most low-consumption electrical heating available.

Cersaie 2016 runs from September 26 to 30 in Bologna, Italy. Azure web editor Jaclyn Tersigni will be walking the aisles; follow along on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.