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Our showrooms are open and are using CDC-compliant safety measures. Learn more about our COVID policies.
Our showrooms are open and are using CDC-compliant safety measures. Learn more about our COVID policies.
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Architessa is a new trade name for Architectural Ceramics launched in early 2021. It arose from Betty Sullivan securing a majority women-owned status in Architectural Ceramics, founded in 1985, which she joined in 1990 and started running in 2001. Betty envisioned a name that embodies its origins, desired social impact, and prominence in the A&D industry both locally and digitally.
The etymology of Architessa stems from "Archit," meaning "worshiped" in many countries and is also an abbreviation for "Architecture." "Tessa" is a nod to women, alluding to "Contessa," because mothers hold the oral narrative of the world, and "Tessera" is the Latin root for a mosaic tile.
Architessa, founded on four integral Core Values, operates nationally with locations in the Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Atlanta metro areas. Commercial representatives cover the country virtually and by visit.
We offer our products and services to the homeowner, commercial, and trade communities all over the country. Our extensive training program creates Architessans - tile lovers and experts who design timeless spaces that evoke emotion. Our Learning Center provides you with in-depth information about tile design and application.
People of character can be trusted. Trust is essential to healthy relationships with co-workers, clients, and partners.
We treat others with compassion, love, patience, and respect.
We keep our commitments by doing what we say we will do when we say we will do it.
We accept responsibility for our own actions and results, hold others accountable, and give positive credit when due.
We maintain an open heart, and communicate honestly, directly, and timely even when it is difficult.
We act professionally, we are punctual, mindful and present, and we keep it clean.
Building and nurturing community creates real meaning to our work.
We build real, long-term relationships that foster success for our industry, clients, and partners.
We give back to the communities where we do business, and specifically seek to lift up the weak and the poor.
We are team-oriented, inclusive and treat everyone equally, putting others before ourselves.
We celebrate our successes and find joy working hard together.
We plan for fun and act as cheerleaders for the company, the team, and each other.
Focusing on results that matter promotes alignment of purpose, maximum effectiveness, and minimal waste.
We start with the end result in mind.
We plan thoroughly and to the best of our abilities, execute to always deliver a high quality product.
We strive to make happy, loyal customers.
We set measurable, attainable goals with specific timelines and tackle the highest priorities first.
We develop and follow proven processes to ensure consistent and predictable outcomes.
Staying competitive and making forward progress requires an innovation mindset.
We are learners.
We embrace the freedom to think creatively.
We continually seek to improve the way we serve our clients with new ideas, products, and technologies.
We think big and are not afraid to take calculated risks.
We stay agile and coachable and encourage the development of our people's gifts and talents.
Architessa CEO, Betty Sullivan, founded Washington Cares in 2005 to provide disaster relief for Hurricane Katrina victims.
During this relief effort we assisted over 400 dispersed people in finding new jobs and housing in the DC Metro Area. Our desire is to help in emergency situations with assistance that includes clothing, first aid kits, food, water, blankets and cleaning supplies.
Washington Cares is a non-profit, 100% volunteer based supported by donations and Architessa. Washington Cares is a faith based organization that delights in serving the community just as our Savior served. Washington Cares also has an ongoing recovery support system that helps displaced families relocate and start over with new jobs. Please let us know how we can serve you!
Donate NowArchitessa sustainably sources tile materials allowing you to achieve elevated spaces that consciously evoke your desired emotion. We promise to responsibly serve and guide you with our Architessan design philosophy.
We believe that producing, sourcing, and providing surface coverings should be done correctly by prioritizing character, community, genuine results, and innovation. People of character can be trusted. Trust is essential to healthy relationships with co-workers, clients, and partners. Building and nurturing community creates real meaning to our work. Focusing on results that matter promotes alignment of purpose, maximum effectiveness, and minimal waste. Staying competitive and making forward progress requires an innovation mindset.
Tile has a lot of facets — It's art. Tile is inexpensive and pricey all at the same time. It's technical and from the earth, making it natural. Architessa's innate responsibility to the planet and its communities extends beyond the visual. The history of materials, designs, patterns, and colors evoke emotion at the deepest level. Emotional, artistic, and financial goals are individual, and each project is unique with its process. The journey only begins with selection. We are Architessans, tile lovers and experts, who walk alongside you, realizing the vision you have in mind.