SaloneSatellite Award 2025: the winners

SaloneSatellite Award 2025: the names and motivations of the jury 

Special Mention, Quibor (Juan Cortizo), Venezuela, Quibor Project loudspeaker, Stand A09. 

Motivation: With its biomorphic appearance, of great expressive presence, it points to a possible new language of craft traditions. 

Presenting the award, Marva Griffin said: "I am particularly excited to present the Special Mention to a young designer from Venezuela, my home country."  

“I worked very hard on this project, which stems from my thesis at the University of Design in Caracas. The shape is futuristic,” commented an equally moved Juan Cortizo. 

First prize: Super Rat (Kazuki Nagasawa), Japan, Utsuwa-Juhi Series, vases and containers, Stand B32 

Motivation: It is impossible to remain indifferent to the  beauty of an object-not-object, the presence-not-presence of objects. The symbolic aspect of the most ethereal essence of design is a winner. 

"I am happy and moved: I did not think I would be selected, I am at the beginning of this project, I hope to spread it around the world," said Kazuki Nagasawa. 

Second prize: Luis Marie, The Netherlands, Plissade, textile partition, Stand C21 

Motivation: This stands out for its perfection of execution, reinterpretation of techniques, study of colours and tactile sensoriality, and not least the actuality of its contemporary interpretation of an antique piece of furniture.  

"We are honoured to have received this award. We have worked long and hard, with passion and ambition. The screen is made of felt and cotton, which serve to strengthen each other. We played with colours to emphasise its expressive quality,” commented the designers. 

Third prize: Riccardo Toldo, Italy, Fil Rouge, wall lamp, Stand C01 

Motivation: With its absolute simplicity, it restores and captures the magic of a gesture, combining design, research and inspiration. 

“The Award is all down to Marva. Without her I wouldn’t even be here; she created this space for us young people. It is very difficult for us to get into the Salone del Mobile. The Fil Rouge lamp is inspired by a legend: the red thread connects the souls between two fingers of our hand and that of our soul mate. By pulling it taut, love is kindled and that is what I tried to achieve with this lamp,” said Riccardo Toldo.

Chaired from the first edition onwards by Paola Antonelli, Senior Curator, Department of Architecture and Design and Director, Research and Development of the Museum of Modern Art, MoMA (New York), this year’s jury is  comprised of: Michael Anastassiades - designer; Greta Arcila - founder and CEO@Glocal_Design; Jean Blanchaert - contemporary art gallery, owner, curator and art critic; Giulia Foscari - architect, curator and activist; Una/Unless; Carolina Gismondi - architect, designer and creative director KooZA/rch; Hicham Lahlou - industrial global designer & interior architect, founder Africa Design Organisation; Gianfranco Marinelli – President, Federlegno Arredo Eventi; Luca Molinari - architect, curator and architecture critic; Samuel Ross - artist & designer; Nao Tamura - designer; Marva Griffin Wilshire, founder Salone Satellite, Porzia Bergamasco, coordinator. 

All the candidate prototypes are on display in Pavilion 5, with its all-new layout, curated again this year by Ricardo Bello Dias in collaboration with Hariadna Pinate.