Courmayeur Design Week-end is back

The appointment is set for February 6-9, 2025. These are the dates for the fifth edition of Courmayeur Design Week-end, whose theme this year is "Unexpected Directions". The event’s original venue, Courmayeur, has selected Ostuni and Pietrasanta as new destinations for spreading the culture of design across Italy. The 2025 Archistar will be Alberto Meda, a celebrated engineer and industrial designer who has won several prestigious awards, including six Compasso d’Oro awards. He has also been recognized as Designer of the Year in Paris and has curated and participated in numerous exhibitions, from Tokyo to MoMA in New York, to the Milan Triennale with his personal exhibition ‘Tension and Lightness.’ From the summit to the Mont Blanc valley, many distinguished figures will enliven this edition of Design Week-end. On the morning of Friday, February 7, architect Cino Zucchi, founder of CZA - one of Europe’s leading design studios specializing in architecture, landscape, and urban design - will have an informal discussion with designer Giulio Iacchetti.


Photo courtesy of Giacomo Buzio

Collaborations include one between Michele Rossi from PARK Associati (awarded as ‘Best Architect 2024’ by the National Order of Architects for the Luxottica Digital Factory project) and Gino Garbellini from PIUARCH (the team behind projects such as the Fendi Factory in Bagno a Ripoli, Florence). They will join forces on an installation in Place Abbé Henry. Snow, ice, and sleighs will be the protagonists of the installation, symbolizing a medium that is difficult to control, thus promoting "unexpected directions." Some of these sleighs will be decorated by a select group of archistars and later auctioned off for charity. Giulio Iacchetti will be joined by Giulio Cappellini:  they will open the event on Thursday, February 6, with a talk. The duo will continue their journey with the exhibition ‘Continuing to go white’, following their previous show ‘50 Shades of White’ (Ostuni 2024), dedicated to total-white design.


Photo courtesy of Giacomo Buzio

A new and exciting pairing will be that of Mario Trimarchi and Cristian Catania, who will design an installation focused on the senses and the perception of space. This will take place in the Valdese Church, located in the heart of the town. Among the prominent figures, architect Massimo Roj will design the trophies for the historic skiCAD - a giant slalom competition for architects and designers - and will also curate an art installation at the central wash-house in Via Donzelli, centered around this year's theme. Two other new entries: Nicholas Bewick of aMDL Circle will curate the collective exhibition ‘Dis Quois’, which will be spread throughout the streets of the town center. Meanwhile, Matteo Ragni will create the scenography for the XXL Snow Globe in Brocherel Square - a photographic set for design enthusiasts and a location for video interviews during the event.


Photo courtesy of Courmayeur

As in previous editions, new content will be added every day, so stay tuned!

Here's the full program