Milan Design Week 2025 will see the unveiling of the "Aedo" sofa, presented by Debonademeo Studio in collaboration with Adrenalina furniture brand, the Museo Omero (State Tactile Museum) in Ancona, and the Istituto dei Ciechi Francesco Cavazza of Bologna. The project is part of the "Adrenalina meets..." series and will be exhibited at Palazzo Litta as part of the Mosca Partners Variations collective.
A Unique Creative Experiment Debonademeo Studio, led by creative directors Luca De Bona and Dario de Meo, embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration with blind and visually impaired individuals to design the Aedo sofa. The aim was to create a piece of furniture that prioritises sensory perception beyond the visual, resulting in a sofa that is both tactile and intuitive.
According to the designers, the project was inspired by the need to 'design a sofa without seeing its shape and colour... to highlight its fundamental characteristics such as comfort, softness, presence in space.' The creative team worked closely with experts from the Omero Museum and the Cavazza Institute, ensuring that the design was informed by direct insights from the blind community.
The Design of Aedo The Aedo sofa features soft, flowing shapes that resemble natural elements like dunes or clouds, creating a cosy and ergonomic seating experience. Each module of the sofa has distinct textures, offering a variety of tactile sensations, while the bright yellow satin upholstery, chosen for its tactile quality, enhances the sensory journey. The absence of rigid lines encourages personal interaction and comfort.
A Sensory Journey at Milan Design Week Visitors to the Palazzo Litta exhibit will experience an immersive sensory journey, complete with tactile, auditory, and visual stimuli. The hall will be transformed with vibrant fluorescent yellow accents, inspired by the fact that yellow is the last colour perceived by the visually impaired. Braille phrases, contributed by blind children involved in the project, will also be embroidered onto the sofa's fabric.
The exhibition also includes interactive elements where sighted visitors will have the opportunity to experience the exhibit blindfolded, allowing them to connect with the creative process behind Aedo. The project highlights the designers' commitment to inclusivity and sensory design, challenging conventional aesthetics and redefining the relationship between function and perception.
Innovating for Inclusivity 'This collaboration allowed us to discover new forms of creativity, guided by those who experience the world differently. It has been a profound and transformative journey,' said Luca De Bona.
The Aedo project is the second instalment of the "Adrenalina meets..." series, following the 2024 project "Adrenalina meets Casa Museo Remo Brindisi." The design aims to challenge traditional notions of furniture design by incorporating perspectives from the blind community, creating not just a piece of furniture but a multi-sensory experience.
More information:
Adrenalina
www.adrenalina.it
Debonademeo
www.debonademeo.it