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A design practice between the past and the future: a recovery of artisanal skills to reheat modern techniques of industrial production. An interdisciplinary approach bordering on artistic practice.
Established in Florence in 2012 by Laura Passalacqua, Francesco Taviani and Jacopo Volpi, Studio Lievito is a research-led design studio operating at the intersection of product design, spatial practice and contemporary art. The studio’s work is rooted in rigorous material investigation, hands-on prototyping with local workshops and an interdisciplinary approach that moves fluidly between object, space and installation..
After presenting their first collection at Salone Satellite (Milan, 2012), Studio Lievito developed a practice centred on experimentation and dialogue, exhibiting and participating in national and international platforms — from Designboom Mart Tokyo, Operae Festival in Turin and EDIT Napoli. In 2017 the studio was selected for the Young Designers Under 35 program by the Triennale Design Museum and in 2025 was part of the Italian Pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennale.
Studio Lievito partners with Italian firms such as Opinion Ciatti, UpGroup, Pibamarmi, JCP Universe, Styl’Editions, MaVoix and Boralevi Firenze.
The studio also works with creative companies including Jusbox Perfumes and
international partners such as Mina Perhonen. The studio provides creative direction for fashion labels and cultural organisations, produces limited research editions sold through curated platforms, and develops a line of collectibles crafted by local artisans — small-scale objects that combine contemporary design and regional craftsmanship. Studio Lievito is represented by Galerie Philia; selected limited editions are available on Artemest and Pamono.
Complementing its production work, Studio Lievito maintains didactic collaborations with universities and design schools, integrating teaching, field research and production to advance a contemporary, research-driven Italian design practice.
Main events
“EDIT NAPOLI” EXHIBITION
— La Santissima, Napoli, 2025
“WHITE CARRARA” “white CARRARA” COMPETITION, WINNER
— Carrara MS, 2025
“TUTTI DESIGNERS” EXHIBITION
— Palazzo Mathis, Bra CN, 2025
BIENNALE DI VENEZIA 19TH INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE EXHIBITION
— Venezia, 2025
“IL GUSTO DEL DESIGN ITALIANO” EXHIBITION
— Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 2024
“’NTRICATU” WORKSHOP
— MADE Program, Siracusa, 2024
“IN THE MAKING” EXHIBITION
— Lineapelle, Fiera Milano, Rho, 2023
“STYL’EDITIONS” EXHIBITION BOOTH
— Cersaie, Bologna, 2023
“Reverse Towards a new Paradigm” exhibition
— NAM – Manifattura Tabacchi, Firenze, 2022
“EDIT Napoli” exhibition
— San Domenico Maggiore, Napoli, 2021
“Presidio” Art residency
— Masseria Cultura – Massafra (TA), 2021
Visiting professor at IED
— Firenze, 2021
Visiting professor at ABA Pietro Vannucci
— Perugia, 2021
“Palermouno” Fuorisalone event
— Brera design district, Milano, 2019
“Towards the Digital Market” Workshop tutoring
— Università degli Studi Di Firenze, 2019
“Italian Design Days” exhibition
— Museum Of Modern Art – Algiers, 2018
“Marmo Quotidiano” Guest designer
— Pibamarmi, Arzignano (VI), 2018
“Salone Satellite 20 years of new creativity” exhibition
— Fabbrica del vapore, Milano, 2017
“Under 35. Italian Design”, Triennale Design Museum selection
— New Dehli, Budapest and Buenos Aires, 2017
“La sovversione dellʼ oggetto” exhibition
— Spazio LATO, Prato, 2017
“Inventario” exhibition
— Università degli Studi Di Firenze, Design Campus, 2017
“Ventura Lambrate” Fuorisalone event
— Ventura Lambrate design district, Milano, 2017
“La casa delle eccellenze” Expo 2015 exhibition
— San Firenze, Firenze, 2015
“Source” exhibition
— Limonaia di villa strozzi, Firenze, 2015
“Luxury is not a waste” exhibition
— Baglioni boutique hotel, Roma, 2014
“Operae” exhibition
— Torino Esposizioni, Torino, 2014
“Designboom Mart” Temporary market
— Designers week, Tokyo, 2013
“Edit by Designjunction” Fuorisalone event
— Brera design district, Milano, 2013
“Do ut design” Fuorisalone event
— San Vittore design district, Milano, 2013
“Source” exhibition
— Limonaia di villa strozzi, Firenze, 2013
“Operae” exhibition
— Cavallerizza Reale, Torino, 2012
“Salone Satellite” design fair
— Salone internazionale dell’arredamento – Fiera Milano, Rho, 2012