Over 260 projects, from around the world. Future design as a balance between beauty, innovation and sustainability.
MGI participates in the Fuorisalone Milan 2022 in conjunction with the 60th edition of the Salone del Mobile during the kermesse signed by DDN all focused on innovative ideas and techniques in the field of eco-friendly design. In this context, the Award Ceremony of the winners of the international competition "Botticino Classico® Coffee Table Challenge" will take place. Strongly desired with the aim of enhancing and reviving the artistic heritage with traditional creative/craft vocation of this material, the initiative ended last April 15 recording the participation of more than 260 designers, including 169 Italians and 96 foreigners from all over the world : Brazil, France, Spain, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Austria, New Zealand, Thailand, Turkey, the United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Colombia, Costa Roca, Ghana, Iran, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. 205 men, 60 women, 189 professionals, and 76 students, individually (210) or in groups (55), tried their hand at identifying innovative concepts by designing a coffee table, living room or coffee table, in which the use of Botticino Classico® marble predominates. Each one is unique because it tells the story of how an idea can be transformed into an iconic furniture piece. That is why the choral narrative that emerges from these projects, stories of quarries, workshops and challenges achieved and overcome, is all the more valuable. The Competition, organized by the MGI Company, a solid Italian Group that has been a leader in the international stone industry for more than 70 years, with the Patronage of the Consorzio Marmo Botticino Classico® and PNA, a Network of companies supporting Authentic Natural Stone, invites a choral reflection on the use of Botticino Classico® marble in design, as well as stimulating innovative ways to contribute to the widespread knowledge of this material, in relation also to a sustainable use of natural resources. The promotion of design culture applied to marble is among the primary tasks of MGI, in tune with the objectives of cultural and economic growth of the Botticino area in which the cultural heritage in stone quarrying and processing have a very special weight and value. Above all, the prize has the merit of focusing the attention of aspiring Architects and Designers on issues of responsibility applied to marble, enhancing what makes it unique: its non-reproducibility and territoriality. Its use in the project is intended to stimulate the integration of different qualities of critical thinking that are essential for new patterns to break through and develop in known areas, giving rise to unknown productions. The goal is not so much the awarding of a successful look as the truly innovative scope in enhancing and celebrating the excellence of Botticino Classico® marble.
The entries were evaluated by the Technical-Scientific Committee made up of experts in the field of architecture, design, and visual communication from the sector that met on May 10: Dr. Paolo Agonigi, Managing Director, representing the MGI Company, Arch. Vincenzo Latina, Professor of the School of Architecture, Syracuse branch, of the University of Catania, Prof. Carlo Terpolilli, Architect, founding partner of Ipostudio Architetti Associati and Professor of the School of Architecture of the University of Florence. The proposals were evaluated based on the following criteria: Originality & Innovation, Consistency in the use of marble, Technical functionality, Aesthetic beauty, Eco-sustainability, Technological potential, Visual communication ability, Affinity with the target audience.
On the podium are three decidedly interesting proposals in terms of originality, formal rigor, and design culture, plus four Special Mentions for proposals that, although they did not win, stood out for particular creative potential.
Go to the competition ranking list
The appointment is at the Botticino Classico® Coffee Table Challenge Award Ceremony to be held on Thursday, June 9, 2022, 5 p.m. at the DDN Hub in Piazza del Cannone, Milan (Official Entrance next to the TRIENNALE). Followed by Cocktails offered by the Sicilian wine cellar Assuli.
Comments Paolo Agonigi, CEO MGI Group "We are indeed very proudthat so many talents (well over 260!) have actively engaged in this competition and have shown us the timeless beauty of our marble and ignited the imagination in multiple original, diverse ways of use. Talents from not only Italy, but from all over the world with one goal, to offer theopportunity to turn our gazes toward authentic masterpieces of stone design. They have made us rediscover the extraordinary versatility of this material, Botticino Classico® marble, embellished by mixing it with other materials or recovered from processing scraps."
Paul Agonigi
Born in Livorno in 1968, Paolo Agonigi graduated in Computer Science from the University of Pisa. He then further consolidated his managerial training experience at SDA Bocconi and earned a Master's degree in Auditing and Management Control at the Department of Business Administration, University of Pisa. Since 2007, he has been CEO of MGI - Group, the holding company of an Italian entrepreneurial group whose sectors range from marble quarrying and processing to the production of building materials and wine activities, in Italy and worldwide. He holds several positions in management: he is a board member of Guglielmo Vennai Spa and Sicilgesso Spa, CEO of the Sicilian wine cellar Assuli. Before coming to MGI, Paolo Agonigi pursued a managerial career in Information Technology and TLC companies. Married and father of a daughter, he strongly believes in teamwork and the enhancement of human resources by giving space to support women's empowerment as one of the main drivers for the development of companies; he sets his activities in MGI on this vision.
Vincenzo Latina
In 1989 he received a degree in architecture from the IUAV in Venice. In 1992 he began his professional activity in Syracuse. He is Associate Professor of Architectural and Urban Design at the School of Architecture in Syracuse, University of Catania, where he teaches and researches; he has been a lecturer at the School of Architecture in Mendrisio, University of Italian Switzerland. On the island of Ortigia, -the ancient center of Syracuse-, he has carried out a number of targeted interventions of urban revitalization and redevelopment. He has exhibited his works in several editions of the International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale. He has won the following architectural competitions: in 2010, first prize in the international competition "Artistic-Architectural Project for the re-functionalization of two cranes in the port of Palermo"; in 2009, first prize for the construction of the maritime station in Syracuse; in 2020, the International Mediterranean Award, City of Dialogue; and in 2015, he won the "2015 Italian Architect Award" given by the National Council of Architects, Landscape Architects, Planners and Conservators. In 2014 he received a "Career Recognition" from the Climiti e Dintorni Association. First edition Floridia SLOW 2014. International event of joyful cultural resistance; in 2013 wins the ARCH&STONE '13 Architectures in Stone of the New Millennium Award. International Award - 2nd edition. Botticino; in 2012 he is invited to participate in the 1st and 2nd phases of the "Mies Van der Rohe Award," Barcelona 2013; Wins the "Gold Medal for Italian Architecture 2012" from the Milan Triennale; in 2008 wins the awards: "Innovation and Urban Quality Award" ed. 2008, Rimini Fiere EuroP.A.; the G.B. Vaccarini Award; In 2006 Wins ex-aequo the Gubbio 2006 Award promoted by the National Association of Historic-Artistic Centers; in 2004 is a finalist for the National Award Accademia di S. Luca. The same year he wins the Dedalo Minosse International Prize for Architecture Commissioning, under 40; In 2003 he is a finalist for the "Medaglia d'Oro della Triennale di Milano" prize; he wins the prizes: "Il Principe e l'Architetto" and the "International Prize Architetture di Pietra 2003.
Charles Terpolilli
Carlo Terpolilli, born in Casalbordino (Chieti) in 1953, lives and works in Florence. Founding partner of Ipostudio architetti associati. Associate professor in Architectural Technology at the TAED Department of Architecture and Design (Faculty of Architecture, University of Florence) in Florence. Coordinator of the Scientific Committee of the International Festival of Architecture and Media in Florence. Member of the Scientific Committee of S.E.S.V. Exhibition Space of the Faculty of Architecture in Florence. In particular, Carlo Terpolilli's activity has as its field of investigation the relationships between architectural and technological design. He has participated in numerous design competitions of which he won first prize for: co-designer with Pietro Carlo Pellegrini for the new Museo degli Innocenti - MUDI in Florence, 2008; the project for a home for handicapped children and adolescents, Lommel (Belgium), 2008; the project for a residential settlement in Grosseto, 2002; the project for La città della scuola in Sarno (Sa), 2000; the project for the Directional and Commercial Center in Calenzano, 1998; the project for the new headquarters of the Banca del Chianti Fiorentino in Sambuca (Fi), 1996.