Architect-turned-furniture designer Paolo Lettieri of 29 Milano translated Milan’s skyline into a sculptural lounge chair. The Milano Armchair pairs an Isozaki-Tower silhouette with cast-bronze legs, targeting large hotel lobbies and refined residences while introducing a blockchain “digital passport” for product traceability.
Project Overview
Designed for spacious hotel lounges, the Milano Armchair features a high, architectural backrest echoed in a commercial low-back version. Lightweight upholstery, bronze-cast legs, and an upcoming NFT product passport underline the piece’s blend of craftsmanship, innovation, and environmental accountability.
- Winning Project Title: Milano Armchair
Winning Category: Home Furniture
Firm Location: Milano, Italy
Company: 29 Milano
Lead Designer: Paolo Lettieri
Interview with Paolo Lettieri
1. Can you share how you got started in design? How has your work grown and evolved over time?
Paolo Lettieri: I started working in design by creating furniture pieces to complement my interior projects—unique, handcrafted items. In 2023 I began considering a seating collection, which led me to organise my furniture ideas more systematically.
2. What was the brief or challenge behind your winning project? What primary goals did you have when starting this project?
Paolo Lettieri: The idea was to create a chair with a distinctive, recognizable backrest for large spaces such as the hotel lounges I designed. My main objectives were to engage with industrial design and produce an armchair that is both unique and comfortable.
3. What inspired your project? How did you transform your ideas into the final design?
Paolo Lettieri: I first thought of designing the armchair in Milan at CityLife during a reFRAME conference. Standing at the foot of the Isozaki Tower, I borrowed its silhouette for the backrest.
4. Did you encounter any challenges during your project? How did you overcome them while ensuring your design remained both clear and practical?
Paolo Lettieri: The toughest parts were 3-D modelling and prototyping. The legs were another hurdle—we designed new ones and produced them via bronze casting. With determination and skilled craftsmen, we achieved a highly satisfying result.
5. How do you stay updated with new design trends and technologies, such as AI? In what ways have these tools influenced your work?
Paolo Lettieri: Since 2023 our studio has used tools like Midjourney to develop interior concepts, which accelerates workflow. It isn’t always easy, but we work to stay current in this fast-moving field.
6. How do you balance client or market demands with your own creative style? What strategies help you meet both aspects effectively?
Paolo Lettieri: Balancing vision with market demands isn’t simple—some ideas are ahead of what the market wants. For this project we developed two versions: a more iconic high-back model and a lower, more commercial lounge version.
7. Reflecting on your winning project, what lessons did you learn? How will these insights shape your future work?
Paolo Lettieri: I learned that dedication and determination can yield excellent results even with limited resources—sometimes bold choices are required.
8. What does winning the Design MasterPrize mean to you both personally and professionally? How does this achievement inspire your upcoming projects?
Paolo Lettieri: The award confirms that I’m on the right path. I’m honoured and inspired to keep innovating; the Milano Armchair also challenges me to pioneer a blockchain NFT passport for products.
ConclusioN
Shaped by Milan’s vertical skyline and realised through meticulous prototyping, the Milano Armchair demonstrates how architectural vision, material craft, and digital innovation can converge in a single, lounge-ready statement piece.
