{"id":209725,"date":"2023-04-27T09:07:15","date_gmt":"2023-04-27T13:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interiordesign.net\/?post_type=id_news&p=209725"},"modified":"2023-04-28T09:46:24","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T13:46:24","slug":"alcova-milan-design-week-2023","status":"publish","type":"id_news","link":"https:\/\/interiordesign.net\/designwire\/alcova-milan-design-week-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Alcova Surprises in More Ways Than One at Milan Design Week"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Photography courtesy of Polcha.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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April 27, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n

Words: <\/span>Mairi Beautyman<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Alcova Surprises in More Ways Than One at Milan Design Week<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Held once more at a derelict urban site ripe for renewal, the wildly popular Alcova<\/a> returns to Milan Design Week. There\u2019s nothing so perfectly seductive as the contrast between a rough backdrop and pristine design objects, as the event\u2019s founders Joseph Grima<\/a> (Space Caviar) and Valentina Ciuffi (Studio Ved\u00e8t<\/a>) are well aware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the fifth edition of the envelope-pushing contemporary design exhibition, the shiny new\u2014or rather old and abandoned\u2014venue was a former slaughterhouse, the sprawling Ex-Macello di Porta Vittoria, a departure from the former nunnery<\/a> and military hospital of the previous two years. Coinciding with Salone del Mobile 2023, Alcova presented over 90 projects, April 17-23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From light fixtures that look more like a cavernous yawing maw, radiator, or household pet to several objects inspired by the humble rock, here are 14 of our favorite finds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14 Highlights from Alcova at Milan Design Week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Cor by Tom Fereday<\/a> for Agglomerati<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With expressive, yawning maws carved out of a single block of Roman travertine sourced from the Italian town of Tivoli, Cor tucks a warm LED light source inside a cavernous opening. Each of the six monolithic totems in the lighting series is a unique variation of the ancient stone, and ranges in height from 4 1\/2 feet to 6 feet high. \u201cThey are bound by a single spherical cut,\u201d says designer Tom Fereday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photography by Nicola Gnesi.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Photography by Alejandro Ramirez Orozco.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Tralucid Bench 125 by Laurids Gall\u00e9e<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Made entirely of hand-cast polymer resin, Tralucid Bench 125 joins a family of blocky transparent architectural objects \u201cdesigned to naturally interact with light sources to cast sharp and soft patterned shadows into a room,\u201d says designer Laurids Gall\u00e9e. \u201cAt the same time, these objects have the power to blend into any surrounding and magnify an interior with a colorful statement.\u201d The bench was featured in an atypical examination of coastal relaxation, the collective exhibit \u201cBy the Seaside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photography courtesy of Laurids Gall\u00e9e.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Photography courtesy of Laurids Gall\u00e9e.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Parmigiano by Anne-Claire Hostequin for Atelier Luma<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stool, table leg, storage bin, plant pot, or glowing lampshade? Parmigiano by Anne-Claire Hostequin is just as versatile as the Italian cheese. Fabricated from assorted bioplastic (some recycled), micro algae, plant-based additives, and plant-based dyes, they\u2019re manufactured using rotational molding and were featured in \u201cAtelier Luma Bioregional Design Practices.\u201d The exploratory study and exhibit addressed bioregional design practices\u2014or the best way to tap local resources for a sustainable economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photography copyright Victor&Simon\/Joana Luz.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Tempo by Kate Greenberg<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s possible designer Kate Greenberg jumped for joy over her dark basement location\u2014it was the ideal surroundings for Tempo, her collection of edgy furniture and lighting, all of which would slip right into a techno nightclub. Evoking warmth and similar in form and sultry red glow to iconic heating units of a bygone era, aluminum light fixture Radiator was presented in two versions. A study on time, the ceiling-mounted aluminum and glass pendant light Felled Sky rolled through a progression of hues emulating the sky\u2019s transition from day to night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photography by Sahra Jajarmikhayat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Photography by Sahra Jajarmikhayat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Ambra Toba by David Pompa<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A country\u2019s most average stone is an object of beauty under the creative eye of David Pompa. For his new lighting series Ambra Toba, he pairs aluminum with Toba volc\u00e1nica, the most common stone found in Mexico. \u201cNot typically used in design, the stone is so common that the name in Spanish is \u2018stone\u2019\u2014but there was no public knowledge on it,\u201d says Pompa. Teaming up with the geology department of the Universidad Nacional Aut\u00f3noma de M\u00e9xico, he discovered it is made of glass, minerals, and volcanic debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photography courtesy of David Pompa.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Photography courtesy of David Pompa.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Ondula by Art + Loom<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The humble rock is once again a source of inspiration for “The Art of Formation,” an exhibition of rugs and furnishings experimental in both form and material. Ondula, one of four new rugs by Art + Loom, is a textile study of tectonic plates rendered in merino wool, linen, and allo. \u201cWe try to use as many natural fibers as possible\u2014\u201cthe allo comes from a nettle plant,\u201d explains Art + Loom designer Samantha Gallacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photography courtesy of Art + Loom.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Photography by Andy Gallacher.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Baby Beloco Side Table by Bea Pernia<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Toasting the allure of two natural materials, the Baby Belco Side Table\u2014also featured in “The Art of Formation”\u2014is an addition to the Atus collection of custom furnishings. Each piece in the collection pairs solid white oak, black walnut, or weathered teak wood with raw marble cutoffs from quarries in Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photography courtesy of Bea Pernia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

8. Acropora by Sangmin Oh<\/a> for Textiel Museum, Tilburg<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fishing line, elastic yarn and glow-in-the-dark yarn are transformed into a glowing snake-like pendant light referencing threatened coral with Acropora. The light is a new addition to Sangmin Oh\u2019s Knitted Light series, which breaks boundaries with yarn. \u201cLight and textiles can combine to create magical stories,\u201d says Oh. \u201cThe textile is stretched as it is knitted, and after I decide on the shape, I fix it by stitching it by hand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photography courtesy of Sangmin Oh.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Photography courtesy of Sangmin Oh.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Sea Project by Polcha<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Adroitly siezing the bounce of light on water, Sea Project by Polcha is a collection of glazed terracotta tile pointing to the precious resource that is our oceans, according to designer Charlotte Tarbouriech, one half of the French duo behind Polcha. \u201cWe enjoyed playing with the depth of color and reflection lines,\u201d she reveals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photography courtesy of Polcha.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

10. Peel by Prowl<\/a> and M4 Factory<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Introduced as the world\u2019s first compostable injection-molded chair, Peel is made entirely from hemp bast fiber, a byproduct of hemp and cannabis industrial processing. Hemp-based biodegradable plastic forms the frame and hemp leather-upholsters hemp foam cushions. While the cushions and the packaging\u2014that\u2019s paper pulp and hemp fiber\u2014can be composted at home, the frame must be industrially composted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photography by Noah Webb.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

11. Appuntito by Project 213A<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Evoking a quilled mammal, Appuntito (\u2018Pointed\u2019 in Italian) evolved from \u201cplaying around with shapes and exploring different ways of creating textures that hold the glaze in an unexpected way,\u201d according to Theresa Marx, co-founder of design studio Project 213A. Hand-crafted spike detailing on the base of the brass and ceramic lamp is rendered in clay glazed a translucent red, while the expansive 19-inch shade is a wool-nylon blend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photography by Tom R. Porter. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Photography by Tom R. Porter. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Manifesto by Stormo for Pulkra<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What at first glance appears to be a massive support base is revealed to be a precise, graceful composition with Manifesto. Balanced on a base with a prominent void, the table reveals new developments in concrete\u2014its composite material, pigmented with fine marble sand, is both strong and lightweight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photography courtesy of Pulkra.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

13. Of the Origin by Isabella Del Grandi for Slalom<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Silence can be beautiful, Isabella Del Grandi demonstrates once again. With \u201cOf the Origin,\u201d the designer returns to Alcova to showcase the acoustical sound absorbing possibilities available from acoustic system manufacturer Slalom. This year, Del Grandi conceived a series of stacked primary forms, some stretching to the ceiling. In addition to wool, the forms were upholstered in two experimental PET fabrics, one from plastic bottles collected around Milan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photography by Gianluca Bellomo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Photography by Gianluca Bellomo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

14. A Lamp Fur You by Xaver Kuster<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The best warm light creates a warm and fuzzy kind of atmosphere, according to Xaver Kuster, the designer behind the (literally) warm and fuzzy A Lamp Fur You. Crafted from faux fur and foam, the LED lamp resembles a furry pet. \u201cThe idea was to create an object that, besides the warm light, makes us feel comfortable with its presence in the room,\u201d says Kuster. \u201cIt feels familiar, keeps us company, and calms us when we stroke its fluffy fur\u2026.some say it might even be human\u2019s best friend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photography by Xaver Kuster.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n