Agorà Design Festival in Salento Celebrates Hyperlocal Materials and Traditions
From September 28 to October 1, 2023, the Agorà Design Festival took place in Martano, Puglia, drawing in thousands of attendees, including both students and professionals. The event, organized by the cultural association Agorà Design, which was established by Sprech, emphasized 'hyperlocal' architecture and design. Lucia Rescio, the association's president, described hyperlocal as a deep dive into local traditions and craftsmanship. The festival highlighted 120 finalist projects from an international competition with submissions from 13 countries. Notable winners included 'Linfa' by Davide Decarli, 'Hydria' by Tommaso Schiuma, and 'Fragment' by Simona De Fazio and Carmen Carugno, while Andrea Arciuolo's 'Lampada ad angolo' received a special mention. Additionally, talks and workshops featuring Giovanna Castiglioni and Riccardo Falcinelli were part of the festival.
Key facts
- Agorà Design Festival held in Martano, Puglia, from September 28 to October 1, 2023.
- Organized by cultural association Agorà Design, founded by modular roofing company Sprech.
- Theme: hyperlocal in architecture and design.
- Exhibition of 120 finalist projects from an international competition with entries from 13 countries.
- Living section winner: Davide Decarli's 'Linfa' seating made with local Apulian sheep wool and natural dyes.
- Second place: Tommaso Schiuma's 'Hydria' seed reservoir using tufa stone.
- Third place: Simona De Fazio and Carmen Carugno's 'Fragment' olive wood handle.
- Special mention for Andrea Arciuolo's lamp reusing wood from Xylella-infected olive trees.
- Garden section winners: Samuel David Silva Batista, Daniele Cicero, Francesco Fontanella and Maria Kassola.
- Student awards: Giulio Bragagnolo and Paolo Sgarzi for 'Searamic', Ludovica Quarta for 'Sicq'.
- Talks and workshops featured Giovanna Castiglioni and Riccardo Falcinelli.
Entities
Artists
- Davide Decarli
- Tommaso Schiuma
- Simona De Fazio
- Carmen Carugno
- Andrea Arciuolo
- Giulio Bragagnolo
- Paolo Sgarzi
- Samuel David Silva Batista
- Daniele Cicero
- Francesco Fontanella
- Maria Kassola
- Ludovica Quarta
- Giovanna Castiglioni
- Riccardo Falcinelli
- Lucia Rescio
Institutions
- Agorà Design
- Sprech
- PecoreAttive
Locations
- Martano
- Grecìa Salentina
- Puglia
- Italy
- Alta Murgia
- Bari
- Salento