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Yesterday, the Giovanni Besenzoni Scholarship was awarded for the second time to the best project submitted by students from the Industrial & Research Design programme at the Academy of Fine Arts LABA Brescia. The students undertook the challenge of creating a complete outdoor collection.

On 12 November, Besenzoni awarded the Giovanni Besenzoni Scholarship for the second consecutive year, recognising the best project by students of Industrial & Research Design from Academy of Fine Arts LABA Brescia. The award ceremony was held at the company headquarters in Paratico.

Established in collaboration with LABA Academy and curated by Professor and Architect Filippo Rossi, this scholarship aims to support the next generation of designers and foster artistic innovation, encouraging new ideas and research in aesthetic and technological advancement. “Innovation is looking to the future while holding hands with the past” was a motto cherished by Giovanni Besenzoni, the visionary founder of the company to whom the award is dedicated. His product philosophy, focused on excellence and cutting-edge design, is the guiding principle of this award.

“The Giovanni Besenzoni Award, established last year to celebrate the company's 55th anniversary, is a valuable opportunity for us to support and engage young people, inspiring them to be creative and study nautical design,” commented Giorgio Besenzoni, CEO of the brand founded in 1967.

The competition, aimed at first- and second-year students in the Industrial & Research Design Master's programme at LABA, involved designing a complete outdoor collection, including an armchair, sofa, coffee table, and sun lounger, that would reflect an outdoor setting, be suitable for installation on board a yacht, and take inspiration from the sea. The designs needed to embody Besenzoni’s brand identity, known for its skilful use of metals combined with other materials, as well as its expertise in upholstery and seating solutions.

The students, organised in groups, presented their work in graphic boards, renderings, technical drawings, 3D CAD files, and 3D-printed prototypes, which were evaluated by a jury of industry experts. The primary evaluation criterion was the project’s development potential.

Who won the Giovanni Besenzoni Prize
First prize was awarded to the Three Men and a Boat group for the Archetype Project, which is made up of Giacomo Furlan, Lorenzo Ferrari, and Giacomo Marinoni. In second place was the Nereides Group, composed of students Sonia Sbardolini and Marina Lazzarini, who presented the Nereides Project award. In third place was the Joy Studio Group, consisting of Giulia Fava, Riccardo Rescaglio, and Stefania Schivardi, with the New Joy project.
Special mention for the Polytesis Group with Project Elysian by Alessandro Oberti, Federica Peluchetti and Mattia Vaia.

With this initiative, Besenzoni renews its commitment to excellence, innovation, and the education of future generations, reaffirming the values that have guided the company on the international stage for over half a century.

Giovanni Besenzoni Award Jury:

Giorgio Besenzoni – CEO, Besenzoni S.p.A.
Filippo Rossi – Architect and Professor of Nautical Design at LABA
Franco Michienzi – Journalist and Editor of Barche magazine
Maurizio Bulleri – Journalist and TV presenter, expert in the nautical sector
Nicola Pomi – General Manager, Volvo Penta Yacht and Superyacht
Antonella Cotta Ramusino – Artistic Director, Blue Design Summit
Barbara Tambani – CEO and Co-founder, Floating Life
Daniela Alberti – Vice Director, LABA
Professor Mauro Martinuz (Industrial & Research Design)
Professor Marco Ribola (Design) – LABA lecturers