Highlights of Lake Como Design Competition

Generally, little fragments do supply a clearer view of the larger image. At Lake Como Design Competition 2025 – which ran 14-21 September, and was themed ‘Fragments’ – that perspective mirrored the state of latest design itself, the place examined concepts are being reimagined via materials innovation. Maybe Como’s historical past as a centre of rationalist structure isn’t only a legacy of the previous, however a dwelling affect. It quietly formed the work on present, revealing recurring themes of adaptability, materials adaptation, lightness and wellbeing, each in kind and in philosophy.

Plasma-f’s ‘Mirach’ desk

One of many first items to greet guests to the pageant’s ‘Fragments of Reminiscence’ exhibition at Villa Grumello captured the theme with placing readability. Plasma-f’s ‘Mirach’ desk incorporates a central hole, resembling a deliberate fracture that underscores the idea of fragmentation inherent in each the fabric and its making.

Composed of over 250 marble offcuts, together with Verde Alpi, Levanto, Carrara, and Calacatta, the desk transforms discarded fragments right into a purposeful and intrinsically stunning object.

Assembled with minimal glue and held collectively primarily via compression, it displays a circular-driven method to design. ‘I all the time attempt to optimise the supplies I exploit and take into consideration sustainability – meaning additionally contemplating how I exploit chemical compounds, like glue,’ says architect and designer Alberto Smaldone of Plasma-f. ‘Marble is extremely proof against compression; you may push it even additional than concrete.’

‘Como Packing containers’ by Dayanita Singh and Giuseppe Terragni’s Sant’Elia major faculty

Coherent and fascinating, this yr’s design pageant introduced quite a few exhibitions, studio visits and installations throughout the town, but the organisers managed to make sure cohesive dialogue between initiatives from the previous and current.