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Renzo Piano "Fare Architettura" - Cersaie 2009

Young architects, students, journalists, actors, professionals, enthusiasts and curious: more than 3 thousand people are all here for him. When Renzo Piano takes the stage at Cersaie 2009 in Bologna, a big applause starts the Lectio Magistralis: "Doing Architecture".

"For students who join the faculty," says Piano, "the advice is to travel. Do not spend too much time making sketches. The academy is dangerous. And above all do not listen to anyone." Go your own way. Without stopping. "Even when they try to convince you that what you want to do is impossible. Impossible is the word I know in all the languages of the world."

"Visit the site before starting work is critical, even when, as in the Osaka Airport project, it means to contemplate the sea”. "When I showed the airport project, people were speechless. They thought it was just scaffolding. Is it finished, they wondered. Yes it is finished like this, I replied. Remember this too: it is not always necessary to explain everything."

"And then you always have to deal with human nature. The art of listening to people is the most difficult one, as people have difficulties in expressing what they need: the ones who talk the most are the ones who have less to say."

Enjoy this talk, posted on you tube by "konigsadler", who was so nice to share it. The talk is in Italian.

Sofa Dining with Style

I'm proud to introduce Sofaware, the first dining set ever made for enjoying dining on the sofa. His shape is designed to fit perfectly in your hand, yet it allows to contain your dinner. It is common to eat on a sofa especially among singles and young people. But we haven't got the right-tool-for-the-job until now. Traditional plates are too big and heavy, to hold them they force your hand in an awkward position. They were designed to eat on a table. This uncomfortable use makes dining on a sofa a questionable event. Instead celebrate your meals on a sofa with style. Have a date with yourself! Enjoy a fully set... sofa. Sofaware is handmade in Italy and it is patent pending.

100K dream home

One among the projects I liked at the last Biennale in Venice is the 100K dream home. Besides the low environmental impact, interesting is the "dream" part: the modular home is flexible to create six different types of home based on their occupants' dreams and lifestyles. The "casa bunker" not an expression of style but a refuge, open only to a few. The "casa focolare" is where family comes together, subject to change more frequently. The "casa officina" is made for its practical and daily usage, while the "casa tenda" is the typical student nest. Lastly there are the "casa forum" open and friendly, and the "casa teatro" able to entertain with the style of its owner. More information on www.casa100k.com

Design Mix by Giulio Cappellini

Abitare il Tempo, the 23rd edition trade fair for interior design just ended in Verona. A memorable experience was visiting the exhibition "Design Mix", by Giulio Cappellini. An investigation into the evolution of quality in the history and culture of design, conducted through the selection of products which have represented significant changes in the application of techniques, materials and innovative processes, as well as new types and styles of solutions in the context of living. Products were scattered through a large grass field and illuminated by show lights. It was like walking through history, great minds thoughts, emotions and ideas.

Time of Genuinity

The time of appearance is ending. Genuinity is the new leading value. Maybe it is because we discovered that the truth it is more interesting than appearance, even with its imperfections. It is unique and has its own story and reason to be. It is important for designers to focus on creating genuine objects and communicating the genuine purposes behind them. These go behind the physical aspect of the item or the preciousness of the materials used to create them. It is tradition, caring and attention to details. The growing interest on how things are made or function, or on the history and philosophy of their companies proves it.

Organic Design

I loved this talk by Ross Lovegrove. I was amazed by the simplicity and the effectiveness of his words about shapes. Besides, he reminded me that, in his words: "it's great that in Italy there are companies that support this way of dreaming".