Rethinking the air conditioner and integrating it with the home's style was the ultimate goal of the design competition promoted by Toshiba and Rubelli. "HAORI CAPSULE COLLECTION" challenged the Milan and the Rome campus students of the BA in Graphic Design and Art Direction. The task was to design the split covers by interpreting three different concepts. The most effective work was awarded at Andrea Castrignano's showroom during the Fuori Salone 2022.
The design contest, the winning project and special mentions
Toshiba and Rubelli launched the challenge: to create a capsule collection of fabric covers dedicated to Haori air conditioners. Students had to follow stylistic guidelines to draw patterns and choose chromatic matches in accordance with three concepts: "Monochrome Interior", "Sustainable design", "Home office". NABA lecturers Antonio Anaclerio, Piero Bagolini, Alberto Bettinetti, Laura Bottai, Francesca Labrini and Marco Pochetti supervised the students' work.
A jury of interior design professionals selected the best works meeting the brief. The first prize went to "Perceptions" by students Paola Porazza, Martina Rinaudo and Simona Rivellini. The project abstracts nature elements thanks to more or less marked brushstrokes, which are the gestural syntheses between art and environment. Two special mentions went to Ileana Pace's project and to the one by Michele d'Andrea, Dario Chiaraluce, Clara Catania. The first one integrates the air conditioner with neon in order to conceive it as a light source. Thanks to the cover's monochrome floral motif, it adapts to the home. The second project draws inspiration from the butterfly's wings. A series of colourful textures and strong strokes are its main elements.