Through the project “The Bench as a Crossroads,” we created an opportunity for collaboration between schools, businesses, and the local community, involving students from the G. Meroni Institute in a program focused on urban design and woodworking.
The fifth-year students in the TIMA program were challenged to take on a creative project: to design a parametric wooden bench that would reinterpret the intersection as a place for meeting, connecting, and sharing. This initiative was designed to showcase young designers and strengthen the link between education and business.
The project received the patronage of the City of Lissone, which supported the initiative and also awarded a prize to the selected projects.
The course, which began at the start of the school year, allowed students to work on a real-world design brief, tackling all stages of project development: from initial research to concept development, through to the creation of renderings, technical drawings, and presentations.
We asked the students to design a parametric chair—that is, one generated using modifiable mathematical models—capable of adapting to different configurations.
The winning project will be built using materials provided by our company and donated to the City of Lissone, a city that symbolizes the culture of wood and design.
The theme of the competition stems from a reflection on the role of the bench in urban space: not merely a piece of street furniture, but a place for rest and social interaction, where people’s daily paths intersect. The projects were evaluated based on their consistency with the concept, technical quality, feasibility, comfort, integration into the urban environment, and clarity of presentation.
Throughout the process, a wide range of interpretations emerged: some focused on the relationships between people, others on the dialogue with the urban context or on symbolic elements linked to the memory of places. Several proposals incorporated additional functions, such as spaces for reading or play. All the projects were developed using marine-grade birch plywood, chosen for its strength and durability.
At the end of the event, a jury composed of representatives from our company, teachers, and Councilman Giovanni Camarda awarded prizes to the best projects.
First place was awarded to “DIMA” by Alessandro Mauri and Valentina Solimeo, which will be produced by Nord Compensati and displayed at the company.
Second place for “Eternal Beat” by Christian Manzoni, third place in “Bond” by Marta Tritto.
Two special mentions were also awarded: “Soul” by Omar Castoldi and “Ápeiron” by Tommaso Aleo and Giolizia Di Giacomo. This latest project will be created by the students and installed in the outdoor spaces of the MAC in Lissone, becoming part of the city’s cultural landscape.