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On the occasion of the 15th edition of the Florence Biennale, scheduled from 18 to 26 October at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence, Patricia Urquiola – architect, designer and art director of Cassina – presents the exhibition Transitions, an installation that reflects the heart of her design method. The exhibition, housed in an exclusive dedicated space, guides the public on a journey through form, function and emotion, inviting them to cross space and matter, grasp their essence and imagine new possibilities.

The exhibition is structured around a semi-transparent wall made of recycled fir wood and polycarbonate. This filter allows visitors to glimpse the structure and invites them to change their perspectives, to grasp connections that only emerge when moving through the space. The pieces on display are presented as steps in a journey of research that spans materials, forms and processes. Each one is the result of a desire to experiment and constant dialogue with clients whom Urquiola has collaborated for years, combining industrial techniques and craftsmanship, innovation and memory.

Among her creations on display, the Mon-Cloud armchair for Cassina is a prominent feature, which reinterprets the concept of accomodation with soft shapes and a particular focus on circularity. Composed of a metal frame wrapped in recycled polyester fibre and soft recycled polyster cushions, Mon-Cloud is the result of a design concept focused on circularity. Thanks to experimenting with innovative materials, the use of polyurethane has been reduced to a minimum, limited to inserts in CIRCULARREFOAM®, made with a percentage of recycled polyols. Furthermore, no parts are glued: the armchair can be 99.85% disassembled, facilitating the recovery and recycling of materials at the end of its lifespan.

Alongside these exhibits that will embellish the context of the Florence Biennale, there will also be Gruuvelot for Moroso, a modular system that behaves like an organism in mutation. The organic shapes and freedom of configuration amplify its sensory and symbiotic component: the surfaces do not merely accommodate, but seem to grow and adapt, as if the object itself were constantly changing. This metamorphosis is also visible in the coverings, made using a water-based printing technique that reduces water consumption by 90% and reduces GHG emissions by 80% compared to traditional processes.

The exhibition also features the Vieques bathtub for Agape, inspired by an architectural project on the Caribbean islands. Originally designed for a specific location, it has now become a product. The object echoes the image of old tubs, with an enamelled metal structure wrapped in iroko wood slats, and reinterprets it in a contemporary key, transforming a familiar prototype into an essential and timeless object.

While Mon-Cloud represents a decisive step forward in design for the furniture sector thanks to its innovative materials and construction, Mutina's Mater surfaces deal with the same theme through ceramics: glazed relief tiles in which each piece bears slight variations, traces of the manual process that become an integral part of the product, making the material alive, unique and never repetitive.

Finally, the Babar table for Glas Italia takes the theme of transformation to a radical level: 100% recycled glass is reassembled into a new, organic material made from glass grit and plant-based resins. Babar finds its expressive power in this contrast between natural and artificial, between casualness and design: each piece is unique, with irregular surfaces and colours that change with the light, creating ever-changing landscapes.

In addition to the works already mentioned, other works by Urquiola for companies such as Andreu World, B&B Italia, Bitossi, Budri, CC-Tapis, EDIT Napoli, Flos, Kartell and Kettal will also be on display inside the Fortezza da Basso.

We remind you that on Thursday, 23 October, at 5 p.m., in the theatre area of the Florence Biennale (Spadolini Pavilion, Fortezza da Basso, Florence), Patricia Urquiola will receive the International 'Leonardo da Vinci' Lifetime Achievement Award (Design), in recognition of her exceptional contribution to contemporary design. The award ceremony will take place in the presence of the designer, as part of a special event.