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The Compasso d'Oro International Awards are notable features of Expo Osaka 2025
Compasso d'Oro International Award 2025
The international jury awarded 20 Compassi d’Oro and 35 Honorable Mentions to the Italian Pavilion designed by architect Mario Cucinella
“The word design lends itself to multiple interpretations [...]. In this respect, the main theme of Expo 2025 Osaka is particularly relevant to the idea of design as a discipline that runs through our lives. […] There are many participants in the Award, and it is never easy to choose. But the institutional role that the Compasso d’Oro has performed worldwide in the 70 years of its history requires scholarly rigor as well as the ability to read the not always evident signals the world sends us. The international jury has done an extraordinary job. Our very warmest thanks.”
With these words Luciano Galimberti, President of ADI, commented on the prize-giving ceremony of the Compasso d’Oro International Award 2025, held within the scope of Expo Osaka 2025 in the Italian Pavilion. The international and future-oriented edition of the Compasso d’Oro award, promoted by ADI – Associazione per il Disegno Industriale, was organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the support of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).
The edition looks at the challenges of tomorrow and the role of design as a useful instruments for shaping new solutions. The projects were selected following the theme chosen for Expo 2025 Osaka: “Designing the Future Society for our Lives”, divided into the three areas of Saving Lives, Empowering Lives and Connecting Lives. The international jury, chaired by Maite García Sanchis and consisting of Luciano Galimberti, Yongqi Lou, Mario Vattani and Matteo Vercelloni, presented 20 Compasso d’Oro Awards and 35 Honorable Mentions to projects from around the world.
The award-winning projects identify the major themes of contemporary design, and through design they embody the ability to use recycled and bio-based materials and the circular economy, so reducing the environmental impact as far as possible. From well-being to sustainability via technological innovation, their outstanding features were accessible health solutions, recycled materials, circular approaches and technologies such as AI and robotics for social inclusion. Design dialogues with tradition, enhancing arts and archetypes, becoming a useful tool for strengthening the bonds between people and communities.
Read also: The Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. Interview with the architect Mario Cucinella
Caimi Brevetti, A+E Technology, design Caimi Lab
Vetreria Vistosi, Anisette, design Francesco Lucchese
Martinelli Luce, Avro, design Studio Natural
Eikon Exé Tondo, Vimar
Kartell, H.H.H. Her Highest Highness, design Philippe Starck
Ariafina, Ariachef Pro, design Fabrizio Crisà
Poliform, Architectural, design Studio Kairos
Elica, Lhov, design Fabrizio Crisà
Venini, Signals, Galerie kreo, design Edward Barber e Jay Osgerby.
Mandelli 1953, Câlin, design Alessandro Corina
Among the Compasso d’Oro winners, A+E Technology by Caimi Brevetti stands out. It received the distinction for “having designed a fabric that can be used for furnishings and sound-absorbing elements, capable of reducing the power of electromagnetic fields in the workplace and at home. It testifies to research in continuous development to improve the environmental quality of our living spaces.” Anisette, designed by Francesco Lucchese for Vetreria Vistosi, received the award for “having enhanced the value of traditional Murano glassblowing, highlighting the ability of this material to define interiors through the modulation of light, thanks to the combination of two glass bells with different degrees of transparency.” The Avro lamp designed by Studio Natural for Martinelli Luce, “responds to the needs of hybrid spaces, offering a versatile solution that can be easily applied to existing interiors without the need for adjustments to the utilities.” The Eikon Exé control produced by the Vimar company was awarded for having “simplified the methods of technological integration. Its modular structure makes it adaptable to any international standard, compatible with both traditional and advanced functions, including through voice assistance.” The H.H.H. Her Highest Highness chair, designed by Philippe Starck for Kartell, featuring a structure in recycled material, wins for “having renewed the archetype of the chair with armrests, applying industrial printing technologies to recycled plastic and creating a seat with refined finishes, designed for a composed and harmonious posture, both indoors and out.” Ariachef Pro by Ariafina, a brand of the Elica Group, designed by Fabrizio Crisà. Winner for "designing a cooking element that integrates both cooking and extraction in a single monolithic block on wheels, easily movable to any area of the home. A domestic device that allows for the creation of a kitchen space in complete freedom".
Among the Honorable Mentions, Poliform with Architectural by Studio Kairos, a system consisting of openings and boiserie with which to develop complete projects, with a view to a total architecture. Elica with Lhov, designed by Fabrizio Crisà: an appliance that combines oven, hob and extractor system. Venini with Signals, a display hosted at Galerie kreo with projects by the British design duo Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby. Mandelli 1953 with the Câlin handle designed by Alessandro Corina.
The winning projects can be visited at the Italian Pavilion until Expo closes on Monday 13 October. Then they will arrive in Milan, at the premises of the ADI Design Museum on 9 December, where they will be visible until 6 January 2026, offering visitors the opportunity to discover solutions that look to the future.
9 September 2025
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