Biesse International Design Award: Designing Matter
Biesse International Design Award: Designing Matter is now open for entries!
BIESSE, in collaboration with POLI.design, a Consortium Company founded by the Politecnico di Milano, has launched an international competition to identify new ideas for innovative concepts related to furniture and products capable of transforming private and commercial spaces.
Short description
BIESSE, in collaboration with POLI.design, a Consortium Company founded by the Politecnico di Milano, has launched an international competition to identify new ideas for innovative concepts related to furniture and products capable of transforming private and commercial spaces through a multi-material approach.
Projects are expected to explore the dialogue between design, technology and materials, combining at least two materials among those processed with Biesse technologies — wood, glass, stone, plastic and composite materials, or metal — highlighting the potential of advanced manufacturing processes.
These outcomes should be characterised by a multi-material approach, involving the combined use of at least two materials chosen from those processed by BIESSE technologies (i.e., wood, glass, stone, plastic and composite materials, metal).
The solutions presented must be original and unpublished, they must be inspired by the corporate values of Biesse and must highlight the use of advanced production technologies and processing methods enabled by the company’s machinery, showcasing the potential for innovation and experimentation that Biesse is able to offer.
Each project will also have to respect the maximum dimension compatible with a platform of size 105 x 250 cm, to ensure the feasibility in the prototyping phase and manageability in logistic terms for the realization of a representative exhibition.
In addition to ensuring functional responsiveness, proposals should consider full compliance with existing safety legislation, paying particular attention to ergonomic requirements and enhancing the environmental sustainability of both the materials and the manufacturing processes adopted.
The projects submitted must be new and original, developed specifically for this competition.
Each participant, whether individual or group, may submit only one project.
All textual documents must be written in English.
Submissions will be evaluated anonymously by a jury composed of representatives from Biesse, POLI.design and experts from the design field.
Project selection and evaluation will take into account the following criteria:
➜ Originality and innovation: The degree of originality of the project, the search for innovative design solutions, experimentation with materials and surface finishes.
➜ Adequacy of the project to the potential of Biesse’s machine tools, their capacity to work on several materials, the efficiency of the production processes and the type of solution provided for the result of the project.
➜ Dimensions: the object must be contained within a modular platform, for the realization of an itinerant exhibition, equal to 105 x 250 cm.
➜ Multimateriality: The combined use of at least two materials among those that can be processed with Biesse technologies (i.e., wood, glass, stone, plastic and composite materials, metal).
➜ Alligment to BIESSE’s values: Each project will have to interpret the core values of the BIESSE brand, which include:
- Curiosity & Intuition: The desire for discovery and the ability to develop cutting-edge solutions to anticipate market needs.
- “Maestria” & Innovation: The fusion of Italian manufacturing tradition with a continuous drive towards technological innovation.
- Sustainability: Respect for the environment, society and people, with a strong focus on sustainability in all stages of production.
- Human-centered Approach: As a guiding principle, valuing talent, well-being, and collaboration to create solutions that place the human being at the center of the creative and productive process.
The results of the competition will be announced by February 15, 2027.
Eligibility
Participation is open to students and recent graduates, Italian and international, enrolled or graduated in undergraduate or master’s degree programs in Design, Architecture or related disciplines. Groups of up to 4 participants are allowed.
Prize
The competition offers a total prize fund of €18,000, distributed as follows:
➜ 1st Prize: €10,000
➜ 2nd Prize: €5,000
➜ 3rd Prize: €3,000
