(Italy) – Czech glassmaking design house, Lavsit, emerged victorious surpassing industry leaders such as Google, Zegna, Kia, and Amazon in the installation competition during Milan Design Week.

The Fuorisalone Award selects the most memorable projects showcased during Milan Design Week. More than 1000 projects presented this year with 16 making it to the shortlist chosen by an expert jury. The final decision is left to the design community, who crowned Lavsit as its winner for its creative displays and art installation, Porta.

Porta, the centrepiece of Lasvit’s exhibition, was situated at the Pilazzo Isimbardi. Designed by Lavsit’s Art Director Maxim Velcosky the installation featured 10 monumental, fused glass sculptures – with the largest measuring nearly five metres – to showcase hand craftsmanship on an industrial scale.

Velcovsky says: “I am honoured to receive this award, especially in these challenging times. Being here in Milan and experiencing the warmth of personal interactions is refreshing. In an era dominated by artificial intelligence and the expanse of the internet, I am happy the designer community appreciated the craftsmanship and innovative technology we’ve showcased.”

The surrounding showrooms featured in the exhibition included a new lighting design concept, Bois de Cristal, by Maria Culenova, a new collection entitled Nebula Claesson Koivisto Rune, and Jan Lecha and Henry Wieglus’ limited edition, Neverending Glory. The architecture of the show was done by Prague studio Cirque Menu.

Leon Jakimic, founder of Lasvit, adds: “Best exhibition in Milan for 2024. Out of thousands of amazing exhibitions across the whole city, where every palace, gallery, museum, and showroom become a curated exhibition. Our Art Director Maxim Velcovsky curated ours. This is a great day for Czech design and craftsmanship. I would compare it to Kolya winning an Oscar for best foreign movie in 1996, except we won this as an overall best prize, not just for ‘outside of Italy’.”

www.lavsit.com

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