At this year’s SaloneSatellite, Palermo native, Vittorio Venezia debuted a new line of furniture, accessories and lighting with a wonderful little twist. Entitled OfficineCalderai, the project encompasses two lines; Ferro and 4decimi, both of which were realized with the help of two craftsmen located on Palermo’s historic and aptly named via Calderai (translation – Tinker street) – a place where skilled craftsman perpetuate the ancient traditions of the city by producing useful artifacts (trays, funnels, sieves…) of everyday life.

Taking its inspiration from the brazier grills still commonly manufactured in the Calderai’s workshops, the Ferro collection is comprised of a table, fives seats, six flowerpot holders and a door stop. Each piece was designed by Venezia, then CNC cut from iron slabs before being hand welded by one of the youngest blacksmiths on via Calderai.

The 4decimi collection takes its inspiration from the sculptural simplicity of the traditional metal container/tools of western Sicily. The collection is comprised of twelve 0.4-millimetre (or four decimi) thick sheet steel lamps designed by Venezia and hand-cut, curved, bent and welded by 86 year old Nino Criminna – the craftsman behind via Calderai’s oldest workshop.

With its masterful mix of contemporary design, cutting edge manufacturing and old world craftsmanship, the OfficineCalderai project won Vittorio Venezia the designreport award 2015 For Outstanding Youngsters at this year’s SalonSatellite, placing him in the company of past winners, including Nendo and Daniel Rybakken. Although referred to as the newcomer award, Venezia is no stranger to accolades, boasting a litany of recognition right out of the gate including the Bombay Sapphire Martini Collection Award won before his university graduation in 2005, Lucky Strike Junior Award 2007, Grand Prixe Emile Hermes 2008, Promosedia 2012, and Cristalplant 2013. He currently splits his time between Milan and Palermo and while he was formally trained as an architect, he has devoted himself to product design since 2004.

Production by Nino Ciminna, Enzo Zerbo

Photography by Angelo Cirrincione, Carolina Martinelli