Eight Italian ceramic products selected for the ADI Design Index 2021 | by Cristina Faedi

On 27 October, the publication ADI Design Index 2021 and the exhibition of selected products were presented to an audience of experts, designers and entrepreneurs in the new ADI museum in Milan.

Along with ADI Chairman Luciano Galimberti and the Chairman of Fondazione ADI Collezione Compasso d’Oro Umberto Cabini, the other speakers at the event were Lara Magoni, Councillor for Tourism, Territorial Marketing and Fashion, Lombardy Regional Government; Alessia Cappello, Councillor for Economic Development and Labour Policies, Milan City Council; and Ambrogio Rossari, from the Scientific Coordinating Committee of the ADI Permanent Design Observatory. The event was hosted by Adriana Cruciatti from the ADI Board of Directors.

The 2021 edition of the ADI Design Index focuses on the three key words adopted by the G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting held in Rome last July: People, Planet, Prosperity. These three words have special significance for the world of design. “The word People reminds us that we have to adopt a broad vision of civil, dignified and forward-looking coexistence,” explained ADI Chairman Luciano Galimberti. “Planet suggests a reflection on the transition to green economies and a more harmonious and equitable relationship between mankind and nature. And because the world must be freed from the anxieties of day-to-day existence in order to make the most of the opportunities offered by life, we must strive to achieve Prosperity through technological progress.”

The selected products (233 out of the 1,017 entries plus 28 student projects selected in the Targa Giovani section) are as usual divided up into various thematic sections. Alongside the classic Design for Living section (48 selected products), the selection includes numerous products from the sections Design of Materials and Technological Systems (24), Business Research (17) and Theoretical Research (17 published studies and books), testifying to the vitality and innovation behind the ideas and practical solutions proposed by Italian design.

In this prestigious context, no fewer than 8 Italian ceramic products have been selected by the ADI Observatory for Materials and published in the ADI Design Index 2021, along with a further 3 products from the world of accessories and bathroom furnishings, all of which have been nominated for the next Compasso d’Oro award:

 

Materials/Surfaces:

  • Casalgrande Padana “Atelier”
  • Cedit “Chimera” by Elena Salmistraro
  • Cerdisa “Metal Design”
  • Cotto d’Este “Kerlite Easy” by Marco Grisendi / Panariagroup Industrie Ceramiche (dry installation system for ceramic floor tiles)
  • Emilceramica “Landscape” by Giancarlo Macchioni
  • Industrie Ceramiche Piemme “Evoluta”
  • Lea Ceramiche “Anthology”
  • Marazzi Group “Caracter”

Sanitaryware and bathroom accessories / Home furnishings and fittings:

  • Antonio Lupi “Borghi” by Gumdesign – washbasin
  • Agape “Open Air” by Benedini Associati – shower system
  • Cordivari “Tessuto” by Marco Pisati – radiator

This is an exceptional achievement both for the Italian ceramic industry and for Cersaie, the world’s foremost exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings which has been collaborating with ADI and its Emilia-Romagna Observatory for more than seven years and exploiting the positive synergies between creativity and industry.

It should be remembered that this selection is the only way in which products, projects and services of any kind can participate in the 27th edition of the Compasso d’Oro Award, one of the most prestigious recognitions in the world of design.

ADI sees Cersaie as a unique source of new products in the field of ceramic tiles, sanitaryware and taps and accessories. Moreover, the show is increasingly establishing itself as the leading international exhibition of innovation and contemporary living trends, as well as a unique opportunity to keep up-to-date with the latest news and new products. Excellence and innovation were indeed much in evidence at Cersaie 2021, finally held this year as an in-person event that ended on 1 October.

The 2021 edition of the ADI Design Index presented the very best of Italian design selected by the ADI Permanent Design Observatory. Following the 2020 edition of the award, which took place last June due to the pandemic emergency, the preselection process for the 27th Compasso d’Oro to be held in 2022 is now complete.

The exhibition displaying some of the selected products is currently being held at the ADI Design Museum in Milan and will run until 7 November 2021, after which it will be relocated to Rome.

 

 

November 2021