Devoto Design in Miami: Made in Italy speaks parametric

Last June 19th Devoto Design flew to Miami to take part in an event at the Italian Institute of Culture featuring a panel dedicated to Italian excellences. Marianna Devoto and Marina Manfrin talked about innovative craftsmanship and how, when paired to a parametric approach, it can help deal with complex design and international projects. 

Devoto Design in Miami: an international stage to talk about innovative craftsmanship

A building designed by Zaha Hadid, a museum in the desert, a hotel in Rome where steel comes to life. Not just projects: they are stories of complex surfaces, technological research, and highly-skilled craftsmanship. We talked about this and much more in Miami during the design talk “From Carpentry to Masterpieces” held at the Italian Institute of Culture.

The event was organized and curated by MTW Group USA and saw Devoto Design as the main protagonist. It revolved around the topics of parametric design and the added value that Made in Italy can bring to the world of architecture and interior design.

A panel of excellence for Devoto Design in Miami

The event started with Stefano Cerrato, director of the Italian Institute of culture in Miami followed by Antonio Acunzo (American Chamber of Commerce in Italy, Florida), who talked about the impact of Made in Italy on the American market.  

Professor Stephen Wisniew (University of Miami) eventually introduced the topic of parametric design applied to architecture. It was then the turn of Marianna Devoto, CCO and co-founder at Devoto Design, who talked about the company identity and the path that has led a small joinery workshop to work with some of the most renowned international architecture firms.

Marina Manfrin, International Relations Manager at Devoto Design, then showed three case studies:

• MAXXI Museum (Zaha Hadid Architects) – our initiation with complex surfaces;
• National Museum of Qatar (Jean Nouvel/Koichi Takada) – parametrization applied to large spaces;
• Hotel Romeo Roma (Zaha Hadid Architects) – parametrization and materials pushed to their limits.

Among the guests of honour, Dott. Michele Mistò, The General Consul of Italy in Miami.

Emotions and new connections

The audience, participative and curious, carefully listened to the story of our company. An overwhelming experience for us, more used to facts than words.

EMPATHY. This is the key word to me. The people in the audience were genuinely struck and interested in the projects and the possibilities that parametrization can offer to the world of interiors. Feeling this empathy was particularly touching to me. (Marianna Devoto,CCO eand co-founder)

Not just technical interest, but also wonder and surprise looking at the solutions we came up with.

A moment also to reflect on the fact that, despite being a “small” company, Devoto Design has been able to have a say in the world of international interior design projects.

IT WAS NICE TO SEE THE AMAZED FACES of the people in the audience when realizing that a small company like ours can actually offer excellence in the world of design, a company that with commitment and modesty, and thanks to the cooperation with world-famous starchitects, has a say in this world. It really touched me and it was pretty gratifying. (Marina Manfrin, International Relations Manager)

A business trip beyond the event

The event was part of a short business trip in the United States. Before going to Miami, Devoto Design stopped in New York to meet one of the most prestigious architecture firm in the city. And in Miami other meetings with other important firms, a great opportunity to start long-lasting relations and get to know Devoto Design and its capabilities in mastering complex surfaces better.

Thanks to the ones that make this all possible

Special thanks to MTW Group USA, in the person of Massimiliano D’Aurelio and Antonio Acunzo. Thank you for the support and for making this event possible.