PORADA INTERNATIONAL DESIGN AWARD 2025
The winners of the 13th edition

1st Prize – Professionals (€2,500): Diego Ribeiro with the project “Orizzonti”
1st Prize – Students (€2,500): Alireza Borhani with the project “Phoenix
Special Mention – Giacomo Allievi (€1,000): Giovanni Ferraioli with the project “Selene”

March 2026 – The jury of the Porada International Design Award 2025 concluded its deliberations on Friday, 27 February 2026, at Villa del Grumello, Como.

Now in its thirteenth edition, the competition was promoted by Porada, a leading furniture and home furnishings company based in Cabiate, and by POLI.design, a postgraduate education center and integral part of the Design System of the Politecnico di Milano, under the patronage of ADI – Associazione per il Disegno Industriale.

This year’s edition focused on the different types of SOFAS.

The jury selected the winners — three in the Professionals category, three in the Students category, and one for the Special Mention “Giacomo Allievi”, in addition to three further mentions — one for each prize. The awarded projects successfully captured the spirit of the competition by interpreting the values and identity of Porada, a leading brand in Italian design, enhancing the use of solid wood, creativity, and technical development.

The total prize fund of €11,000 was allocated as follows:

Professionals Category:
1^st Prize: Diego Ribeiro with the project “Orizzonti”
2^nd Prize: Vasileios Michou with the project “Peak”
3^rd Prize: Nghiem Vu with the project “Untitled”

Students Category:
1^st Prize: Alireza Borhani with the project “Phoenix”
2^nd Prize: Jason Adrian Wu with the project “Salami”
3^rd Prize: Giulia Fava with the project “Tratto”

Special Mention “Giacomo Allievi”: Giovanni Ferraioli with the project “Selene”

In addition to the official prizes, the jury chose to highlight the commitment and creativity of three further projects with special mentions:
Special Mention – Students Category: Vlada Golubev with the project “Orlo”
Special Mention – Professionals Category: Fabricio Ronca with the project “Amendola”
Special Mention – Special Mention “Giacomo Allievi”: Anastasia Smyk with the project “Untitled”

Nearly 300 projects were submitted from all over the world and presented to the jury. There was strong participation from Italy, along with an equally positive international response: France, Germany, Spain, Greece, the USA, the UK, Brazil, Egypt, Turkey, China, India, Russia, and the UAE are just some of the many countries involved.

The winner of the competition in the Professionals category was Diego Ribeiro with the project “ORIZZONTI”, a dynamic sculpture that redefines the living area, inviting users to contemplate the domestic space from ever-changing perspectives. The project merges the tectonic strength of the Dolomites with the fluidity of the Brazilian landscapes. Its key strengths include:

• 360° rotation: a solid wood base conceals a mechanism that allows the island to rotate, directing the view toward different focal points within the room;
• fluid modularity: the system can be divided into separate modules, transforming into standalone lounge chairs with a strong sculptural identity;
• sensory design: the enveloping, wing-shaped backrest provides a sense of protection without weighing down the overall volume;
• material contrasts: the solidity of CNC-crafted solid wood (the earth) meets the tactile lightness of bouclé fabric (the atmosphere).

First place in the Students category was awarded to Alireza Borhani with the project “PHOENIX”. Inspired by the myth of the phoenix, this seating system embodies the concept of continuous transformation and adaptability, redefining comfort through an organic aesthetic and structural versatility. Its key features include:

• transformative modularity: the system consists of two main modules that can be reconfigured to shift from a linear sofa to a chaise longue or to independent relaxation islands;
• organic design: the solid wood structure features fluid, curved lines that give the piece a sculptural lightness;
• invisible connection: a concealed fastening system allows the modules to be rearranged without interrupting the aesthetic continuity of the design;
• spatial versatility: designed to be appreciated from every angle, Phoenix adapts to both large living areas and more intimate spaces, serving as a visual focal point.

The projects were evaluated by a selected and diverse jury composed of representatives from the international design community:

• Tiziano Allievi (President, Porada)
• Bruno Allievi (Partner and former President, Porada)
• Roberto de Paolis (Project Manager, POLI.design)
• Carlo Branzaglia (Board of Director, ADI)
• Veronica Orsi (Interior Designer & Brand Ambassador, Foster)
• Jacqueline Terrebonne (Editor-in-Chief, Galerie)
• Kate Instone (Managing Partner & Creative Director, Blush International)
• Bjarni Breidfjord (Managing & Creative Director, Luxoria)
• Liron Blumner (VP Marketing, Pitaro Hecht)

In evaluating the submissions, the jury considered originality, innovation, and the exploration of new design solutions related to the traditional processing of solid wood, experimentation with materials and surface finishes, and the ability of the projects to define and anticipate usage scenarios and innovative concepts in the use of wooden furniture and contemporary home accessories. Particular attention was given to typological, technological, and morphological aspects of sofas.

As the winner of the Special Mention “Giacomo Allievi,” architect Elisabetta Allievi selected Giovanni Ferraioli’s project “SELENE”, a sculptural sofa inspired by the lunar phases and their silent geometry. Designed to occupy the center of the room, it offers a flawless aesthetic perspective from every angle. Its key strengths include:

• Canaletto walnut shell: the solid wood is not merely a detail but the visible framework of the project. A continuous shell embraces the seating, tapering at the back in a sophisticated “subtractive play”;
• Dual ergonomics: the asymmetrical, “bean-shaped” form integrates two zones: an active zone with reduced depth for conversation and an extended lounge zone for complete relaxation;
• Edge-free design: the fluid form eliminates the distinction between front and back, guiding the eye along a continuous line that conveys calm and natural harmony;
• Material dialogue: the polished warmth of the wood contrasts with the textured fabric, creating a perfect balance between solidity and comfort.

At the conclusion of the jury’s work, Tiziano Allievi, President of Porada, stated:

"The Porada International Design Award once again proves to be an important opportunity for dialogue, inspiration, and cultural exchange. Engaging with projects developed by professional designers and students from around the world is not only about evaluating their quality, but also about experiencing a journey of shared growth and enrichment. Our best wishes for a professional path full of satisfaction and success go out to all participants, with the hope of seeing them as protagonists in the proposals of the next edition of the competition."