Porada International Design Award 2024: awarded projects

The Porada International Design Award 2024 asked design professionals and students to devise innovative bed concepts to enhance both solid wood and the brand’s heritage.

In the twelfth edition, projects combined natural or lacquered essences with fabrics, metals and other materials in order to offer original and unpublished solutions. The projects were developed using innovative production technologies, advanced woodworking processes, and signature finishing techniques. In addition to stylistic value, proposals complied with specific functionality, safety standards as well as ergonomic, environmental and sustainable design requirements.

The jury was made up of experts from Porada, POLI.design, and ADI – Associazione per il Disegno Industriale, as well as five representatives from the design and publishing professions in the sector.

The evaluation considered originality, the level of innovation, and the exploration of new design solutions related to traditional solid wood processing, material experimentation, and surface finishes. It also assessed the projects’ ability to define and anticipate new usage scenarios and innovative concepts in wood furniture and contemporary furnishing accessories.

Jury

• Tiziano Allievi (President of Porada)
• Bruno Allievi (Partner and former President of Porada)
• Roberto de Paolis (POLI.design)
• Umberto Cabini (Vice President of ADI and President of the ADI Compasso d’Oro Foundation)
• Maria Tber (Owner of Divanya Luxury, Porada retailer in Casablanca)
• Otmane Lazraq (Partner at Lazraq Studio)
• Valentina Raggi (Senior Editor, AD Italia)
• Julian Tiefenbacher (Senior Editor, Elle Decoration Germany)
• Marco Grassi (Artist)

The total prize fund of €11,000 was distributed as follows.

Professionals category

1st prize € 3,000

2nd prize € 2,000

3rd prize € 1,000

Students category

1st prize € 2,000

2nd prize € 1,200

3rd prize € 800

“Special Mention Giacomo Allievi”

€ 1,000.00

A special mention was awarded to a student and a professional whose projects demonstrated a balance between artisanal woodworking traditions and modern design, both structurally and creatively.

The project winning the the Professionals category is “Koya” by Nicolas de Vismes. Inspired by the traditional craftsmanship and construction of wooden structures (“Koya” means “hut” in Japanese), the project embodies a harmonious blend of functionality and minimalist architectural syntax. Thanks to the flexibility of its components, the bed can adapt to different spaces and can be configured in four different layouts. Whether placed against a wall or at the center of the room, it seamlessly integrates into any interior while allowing for customization of the sleeping environment. Made of stained solid oak and leather, it can also accommodate various interchangeable upholstery options.

Anna Eerdmans, a student at Ravensbourne University London, won the Students category with her project “BOSCO“. Featuring elegant and organic shapes inspired by nature – particularly the morphology of branches and leaves – the bed enhances the beauty of wood (available in Moka-stained ash or Canaletto walnut), thanks to openings in the removable, washable wool fabric upholstery, which reveal the curvature of the wood and highlight its artisanal craftsmanship. The jury appreciated the modular approach to the component design, the detailed material list, and the creation of a physical study model.

As the winner of the “Giacomo Allievi” Special Mention, architect Elisabetta Allievi selected “Sofia,” the project by designers Alessia Pagotto and Valeria Francescato. Their proposal stood out for its outstanding balance between traditional craftsmanship linked to woodwork and modern design, expressed through the structural and creative development of the project. The tall, enveloping headboard, made of Canaletto Walnut, enhances the quality of the materials and the artisanal care while integrating a lateral upholstered element. This makes the bed suitable not only for rest but also for activities that require more structured support, such as studying or reading. Its ergonomic design ensures comfort for moments of relaxation or productivity.

An additional special mention was awarded to Susanna Rocca, a student from LABA – Libera Accademia di Belle Arti in Brescia, Italy, for “Velouté,” a project that celebrates artisanal elegance through the essence of Canaletto Walnut. Here, natural solid wood interacts with sinuous lines inspired by organic design. The upholstered leather headboard, soft and durable, ensures maximum comfort, while the steel legs lighten the structure. Velouté combines wood, leather, and metal in a timeless design, embodying Porada’s philosophy.

STUDENTS

• First place: Anna Eerdmans, student at Ravensbourne University London, Dutch but residing in the UK (Kent), with the project Bosco.
• Second place: Advay Gupta, student at Istituto Marangoni Milano, Indian but residing in Italy, with the project Barca.
• Third place: Jacob Zettersten, student at the Royal Danish Academy Copenhagen, Swedish, with the project Oasis.

PROFESSIONALS

• First place: Nicolas de Vismes, French, with the project Koya.
• Second place: Andrea Ferri, Italian, with the project Yuna.
• Third place: Stefano Airaghi, Italian, with the project Spindle.

HONORABLE MENTION GIACOMO ALLIEVI

Alessia Pagotto and Valeria Francescato, Italian professionals, with the project Sofia.

HONORABLE MENTION

Susanna Rocca, student at LABA Libera Accademia di Belle Arti di Brescia, Italian, with the project Velouté.