Italian architect Paola Navone has joined Dezeen Awards 2023 as a judge. Here she selects five projects that best reflect her studio’s work.
Navone says she has “a free and nomadic nature”, which informs her practice, ranging from interior, furniture, graphic and accessory design to creative direction.
“I’m a dreamer, instinctive and always curious about the world,” she told Dezeen. “Somehow all of these things spontaneously flow in my way of being a designer.”
Navone is founder of Milan-based multi-disciplinary design office OTTO Studio, which is currently working on a project for Como Hotels in Burgundy as well as an interiors project in Athens, amongst others.
Paola Navone among Dezeen Awards 2023 judges
Dezeen Awards 2023 launched on 15 February in partnership with Bentley Motors. On Tuesday we announced five more Dezeen Awards judges including interiors stylist Colin King and design gallerist Rossana Orlandi, who will be joining architect Navone on the judging panel.
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Read on to find Navone’s views on the five projects that best represent the work of her studio.
Hotel 25hours Piazza San Paolino, Florence, Italy
“We enjoy interiors projects because it’s a bit like writing a new movie script – we are always the same authors but each new movie is unique.
“25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino in Florence takes cues from Dante’s symbolism of hell and paradise.
“The theme has allowed us to set a sequence of amazing scenography that involves the guests in an immersive and imaginative experience.”
BiMstrò, Milan, Italy
“BiMstrò communicates our passion for ephemeral design, upcycling and reuse.
“The concept behind this temporary bar in Milan is upcycling. We used existing, raw and poor materials, hand-made finishes as well as recycled objects and furniture in an unexpected way.”
Azul Sofa by Turri
“All our projects are born from unexpected alchemies that always make them a little special.
“Azul Sofa by Turri is a blue velvet sofa characterised by macro weaving. The fabric allows you to discover a unique handmade weaving technique which gives the sofa a special softness.”
Baxter
“At OTTO Studio we enjoy mixing the perfection of the industrial process with something imperfect like craft.
“The singular Baxter leather furniture works the leather as a fabric. The extensive research on colours and touch makes these sofas particularly comfortable and cocooning.”
Hybrid
“Hybrid is an eclectic collection of indoor and outdoor fabrics with strong graphics and patterns.
“The collection was designed for the extraordinary manufacturing excellence of the brand Mariaflora.”
All images courtesy of Paola Navone.
Dezeen Awards 2023
Dezeen Awards celebrates the world’s best architecture, interiors and design. Now in its sixth year, it has become the ultimate accolade for architects and designers across the globe. The annual awards are in partnership with Bentley Motors, as part of a wider collaboration that will see the brand work with Dezeen to support and inspire the next generation of design talent.