seats of understanding: international design contest

The Trieste Contemporanea Committee announces the 15th edition of the International Design Contest Trieste Contemporanea with the aim of showcasing the most original contemporary design offerings from the countries of Central Eastern Europe. The competition is a biennial event established in 1995 by the Italian scholar of aesthetics and design Gillo Dorfles.

THEME: This edition of the competition seeks a potentially iconic item of street furniture that could represent symbolic meanings linked to historical location of Nova Gorica/Gorizia, and the sharing of cultural values.

Street furniture is more than just a functional tool, it embodies social values and community action. As such, does it have the potential to also influence and shape those values and action? What can be sustainably transmitted in this location, at this point in time, through urban design to future citizens?

The contestant should design a seating installation (e.g. a bench) with the above concept and sentiments and of course for resting, viewing the panorama and socializing. The designed street furniture must be absorbed into the daily social life of the cities and has to be designed merging functionality, formal simplicity, comfort, durability and minimal maintenance. It should be reproducible in a small series. The object of the study could possibly be placed both in the city of Nova Gorica and in that of Gorizia (at least two places in the two cities have to be foreseen in the project) and embody the ideal union of the two cities during GO! 2025 event, as well as future testimony to this ECoC 2025 and its values.

To support preliminary project studies, two webinars and a study visit to Nova Gorica and Gorizia will be organised for contestants. Dates and details will be provided on the website.