Valerio Sommella Studio - Industrial Design Portfolio
Arata is a comprehensive collection of aluminum outdoor furniture designed to define an elegant and fresh landscape, transitioning from dining and lounge areas to the poolside. The name is derived from the Japanese word for "fresh" or "new," capturing the spirit of a collection unified by gentle curves and ample radii, balancing the structure of metal pipes with the tactile warmth of woven cord and soft cushions.
Jasmine is an outdoor seating collection designed for Tidelli with Simone Bonanni, composed of a dining chair, a club chair, and a lounge chair. Crafted with an aluminum frame and a nautical rope finish, its sculptural volume rises with a subtle vertical tension, recalling a blooming flower. Each piece is enriched by refined, hand-woven bouclé rope, whose intricate pattern decorates the pure, organic form and enhances its presence in outdoor spaces.
Octave is an essential collection of glass vessels, a series of octagonal prisms in an ascending progression of height and diameter, defining a complete range from wine glass to carafe. The name, beyond clearly referencing the octagonal geometry, also draws from harmonic musical progression: an octave is, in fact, the interval separating the smallest element of the collection from the largest.
Toku stems from the idea of combining the enveloping comfort of a fully upholstered seat with a distinctive sculptural character. The collection is defined by generous volumes and a rear leg that rises to connect the seat and backrest. A structural element that becomes the defining feature of the project, shaping its identity through a clear and contemporary design language. The collection includes both dining and lounge versions. Specifically conceived for contract environments, Toku brings a balanced and welcoming presence to spaces through soft forms, generous proportions and a strong formal coherence.
Hyppo Club is the latest extension of the Hyppo upholstered collection designed in 2016. Originally conceived to meet the needs of the contract and lounge sectors, the collection now evolves towards the contemporary workplace, offering a soft and flexible solution for the design of open-plan offices. HYPPO CLUB was developed in response to the need to balance the collaborative nature of shared spaces with the growing demand for privacy and comfort. The project allows the creation of welcoming, protected work settings: functional islands designed to accommodate dynamic meetings for two to four people, while also serving as individual workstations dedicated to concentration. The high surrounding panels provide a subtle visual and acoustic screen, shaping a genuine oasis of privacy without losing connection with the surrounding environment.
Nuance is an outdoor collection created with the intention of blending simplicity and elegance through what we call soft-geometric design. All the elements of the collection feature a strong geometric wooden frame, whose rigidity is softened by a distinctive rounded back and Serif-like armrests. At its core lies the concept of open-closed transparency, brought to life through woven panels that allow light and air to pass through while preserving a sense of privacy and structure. These features come together to shape Nuance's distinctive aesthetic, making it both comfortable and instantly recognizable.
Siesta is an informal and cozy seat conceived around the idea of deep comfort. It is a sofa composed of essential volumes whose seams define its extremes. The backrest, whose design echoes that of the armrests, invites to let go and experience the domestic space with a new sense of lightness and well-being.The Siesta seating system allows extreme compositional flexibility and enables the configuration of solutions ranging from the simplest linear sofas and armchairs to larger compositions, always keeping the theme of comfort at the center.
At the heart of the Tama family lies the idea of creating a series of single-material ceramic accessories for Ethimo, a natural material traditionally used in outdoor settings, which is elevated by a glazed finish that transforms these objects into precious accents. The natural imperfections of the production process contribute to the uniqueness of each piece, with irregularities that characterize the large, smooth, flat surfaces.The shape of the tables evokes percussion instruments, with their taut skins forming the tabletop while the body defines the base.
Calipso is a musical instrument with ten notes, crafted from a 1x1 meter aluminum sheet that has been laser-cut to form an experimental percussion instrument. It was specifically designed for "The New Poetic Activism" exhibition, which was curated by Mario Trimarchi for the ADI Design Museum. The instrument embodies a fusion of modern design and artistic expression, serving as a unique piece that bridges the worlds of music and visual art through its innovative approach to sound and material.
A collection of wallpapers inspired by a research project exploring the digital representation of three dimensional delicate elements. Starting with traditional floral patterns, the collection transcends them into soft surfaces animated by thousands of delicate elements, evoking the gentle movement of grass blades or the delicate texture of blossoming fur.
Studies on aluminum casting is a personal project born from curiosity. I wanted to test how polyurethane foam would behave if treated like wax in a lost-wax casting working with complete creative freedom. An experiment with materials that lead to a limited edition of objects with unclear function showcased at Galleria Luisa delle Piane in Milan.
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With this project, I aimed to redefine the concept of a wireless lamp, continuing the work started with Nemo in 2022. Sorrento is an object that surpasses the limits of perception, bringing the archetype of the chandelier into the present. A metal base supports three slender aluminum stems, while the diffusers in transparent methacrylate, crafted from solid material, visually evoke the flame of a candle and indirectly illuminate the surface. It's an object that is as immediate as it is theatrical.
Suspended sofa with essential lines, ethereal and light, is the result of a four-handed creative process. The modular soul, the accessories, the precious and expertly crafted materials make Asso a timeless product suitable for residential and hospitality environment.
The Cabo Collection exudes an air of spontaneity, authenticity, and boldness, drawing inspiration from pure lines and constructive simplicity. Within this collection, both the lounge chair and the dining chair stand as distinctive pieces, sharing common elements yet possessing unique characters.
Outdoor furniture characterized by its architectural design that combines a curved woven structure with soft cushions. A visually light collection, unique and bold.
A couple of years ago, on the occasion of the ‘Carissimo Pinocchio’ exhibition at the ADI design museum, I was invited to give my personal interpretation of the famous puppet. I decided to strip him down to his absolute essence, leaving only his long nose and hat. The anthropomorphic figure transformed into a spinning top. His nose, grown long from all the lies, finds a new function as a stand to measure wedding rings, questioning the weight of truth in our promises.
Portofino is a slim, sleek, and lightweight portable table lamp. It is the result of a process guided by the redefinition of product architecture, the redistribution of components, and their optimization in terms of volume and efficiency. The goal was to create an object that would have a delicate presence on the table, never perceived as an obstacle. Made from cast aluminum and marble.
The main inspiration comes from the observation of the aesthetics of conviviality, summer evenings, Mediterranean life and moments of relaxation where relationships are genuine. If the simplicity and comfort of an embrace can describe the seating element, the clear relation and connections between every single element define the whole collection.
A ceramic candle designed to be used asap...Once the wax is over, it shows its very own soul and becomes finally useful as a marvelous pot.
A book about love, adventure, and the fine art of camouflage.132 pages of pictures of a dog having fun, shot between 2018 and 2022. Edition of 50 copies.
Designed to be 818 Añejo Reserve bottle. Its silhouette became the brand’s logo. Eight Reserve is a custom ceramic decanter shaped around the silhouette of the numeral eight. Designed as a sculptural object first and a vessel second, it is produced by local artisans in Pachuca, Mexico. The decanters are fabricated through traditional slip casting, sanded by hand, and kiln-fired for 13 hours at 1,200 degrees Celsius. Finished in small batches with a tactile matte glaze. The result is a unique object meant to stay on display long after the bottle is empty.
An all-weather teak outdoor collection designed specifically for the US market. Slender teak slats create an open design that counterbalances the thick, weather-resistant cushions.
The INCA model is born to become a light office collection for 4Mariani, simple in its lines and with a highly recognizable feature. Everything moves around the theme of the intersection of simple volumes, parallelepipeds that fused together outline the various elements of the collection. Starting from the “foot” in lacquered wood that represents the link between the executive desk and tables, to the storage cabinets up to the handles. Another important topic in the development of the Inca collection is the logic of the combination of materials: wood, saddle leather, and lacquering.
This object is the visual representation of the physical principle known as the communicating vessels. A simple bent tube becomes a bong.
"When designing Barani, I wanted to combine visual lightness with a new structural approach. Reducing the product to two interconnected curved elements. A technical solution becomes a three-dimensional scribble".
A wave of glass and light emerges from an essential metal element. Precious grooves reveal multiple light refractions. Wall lamp with curved glass diffuser and die-casted varnished aluminium structure.
A small folded aluminum sheet that wraps and protects a light cylinder. The minimal and discreet design, the asymmetrical LED source that diffuses a soft light, make Piega perfect for elegant hospitality environments. A fixture as simple in appearance as it is complex and studied in its details and in its fitting possibilities, available in both indoor and outdoor versions.
Ted is a bollard for outdoor use, designed in three different heights. It offers several lighting possibilities: single, double and asymmetrical double head. The optics used are totally asymmetrical, with no rear side dispersions. The three heights, 350 mm, 600 mm and 900 mm, allow to better enlighten paths and green areas. The double head allows a free and asymmetrical orientation.
Altura is the result of a long research on overhanging floor lamps, on their presence and on their adaptation to space, a project whose simplicity is summarized by the system that puts in relation a vertical and an horizontal element. The starting point was the observation of fishing rods holders, simple systems that guarantee stability both when the rods are at rest and in tension. The rest of the project is a consequence: light materials, pure shapes and clean lines.
Glifo comes from a drawing of two lines that, like a typeface, define its space. A vertical element that is also the fulcrum of the whole rotation of the lamp, and an oblique element that moves away from the wall defining the opening angle of the lampshade and offering a hold point, with a wooden finish, to reposition the lamp and to dim the light.
A functional heart built into in a false ceiling and combined with a glass frame, the only visible element of the entire system, make Alba unique recessed cooker hood. Winner of the 2018 Good Design Award.
Ionico is a family of ceramic vases born from a formal research on architectural elements, decoration and the relationship between volumes. The result are familiar vessels that refer to classic aesthetic codes, but play with the proportions moving away from the rigor of classicism.
This small family of lamps explores the theme of single and double emission wall luminaires, shifting attention to materials, finishes and the precision of mechanical machining. The cylindrical bodies of these devices, minimal in their design and very small in their size, are partly covered with a fine diamond shaped surface finish, aesthetic reference coming from the world of mechanical and precision instruments.
Pois is a family of wall monuted lighting fixtures born from the desire to create a product that could be very versatile in terms of architectural applications. Luminaires that combine the technical quality of an aluminum CNC built body and the aesthetic preciousness of a thick and visually important extra-clear glass cover, circles of light that come off the wall as if suspended. From the small 75mm path marker to a 100mm wall fixture to the larger one, a 150mm circular light that can be used on both on walls and ceilings.
My contribution to the new Milan Apple flagship store opening campaign. A series of visual lanscapes representing my work, 3 metaphysical worlds that combine shapes, materials, colours and light.
An outdoor bollard generated by a single inclined cut of a cilinder. Zac! Zac is designed to illuminate avenues, walkways, pathways, gardens and parks without glaring, available in various sizes and heights is built in high oxidation resistant aluminum alloy
Transcending the traditional sofa concept, Atene is a simple seating system based on two elements, a linear one and an angle that can be combined to create multiple seating configuration. The name of the collection is a clear reference to Greek temples colonnade a linear array of massive cilindrical elements. Completed with coffee table, Atene Family creates a versatile and refined living space, with soft cushions to make it suitable for both indoor and outdoor.
Originally thought for bars and restaurants, Bibo is a coffee set designed to contain not only sugar packets, but also paper napkins and possibly a menu. Two polished steel round elements held together by a small melamine tray with a handle, whose asymmetry is a practical choice to balance the whole set.Derivation of this is a small home or office coffee set, where napkins give room to a small container for chocolates or biscuits and where the sugar bowl, now full of bulky sugar, has a melamine lid.
An enigmatic object designed as a result of a summer trip to Japan. “Boga” is a ginger grater fitted with hard-wearing, sharp stainless steel grater teeth. Practical and simple to use thanks to its evocative shape: the part that resembles the fish tail provides a convenient handle, while the slightly concave head collects and pours the grated contents.
The design of brigata is above all the design of a handle. A recognizable element with excellent functionality. The starting point can be found in the handles for professional pots, made from pipes pressed, bent, welded or riveted. From here we started to define something confortable and balanced, shifting the concept from constructive brutality towords a formal elegance that manifests itself from the hook to the final part, tapered, curved and welded to the various elements that define the functions of each of the six pieces.
Nami, Japanese word for "wave", is a suspended lamp entirely built around a curved printed glass. This main element is surrounded by a metal frame that hides multiple light sources and provides visual and structural solidity. The texture of the precious printed curved glass multiplies the light reflections, creating effects of contrast that keep on fading and transforming according to the point of view. The graphic outline of the structure creates a visual contrast with the glass surface in an innovative balance between solidity and lightness.
Shapes and Sounds is a video project developed by Valerio Sommella and the director Massimiliano Bomba to tell the story of a yearslong collaboration between Valerio Sommella and Alessi. The movie explores a kitchen landscape through a tale of images and environmental hi resolution sounds, telling the story of each single object with the sounds that it generates.
A geometric element replicated and oriented in three directions, for an object that is surprising due to the effect of reflection of light. As in a cubist composition, an illusion of three-dimensional volumes, of spaces and facets.
Victoria like the huge Amazonian water lilies which float on the waters of the river Rio. The disks shield the light sources that produce an indirect and diffused light. Staggered and arranged on several levels, the disks are spread around a central linear body that goes through and keeps them together, as a stem with leaves. Victoria is a suspension lamp conceived to create a sculptural object, light, with a major impact in space. The result is a delicate system of reciprocal balances, with a vertical development. The narrow central cylinder integrates into the lower part a further source, which guarantees a spot light.
A collection of six pieces, 3 rugs and 3 broadlooms that combine traditional carpet patterns with a contemporary image definition.A 76 dot per inch print to generate the illusion of walking on soft and fluffy surfaces.
Hyppo is the first family of upholstered furniture under the Cantarutti brand. A collection of poufs, lounge chairs and sofas that revolves around the relation between the upholstered parts and the wooden legs, the encounter between soft and hard materials.
Koki is the Fifth born of the Objet bijoux family. A sculptural stainless steel ice cream scoop created with the combination of double-wall technique and casting.
Materia is a cooking hood that combine the latest Falmec technologies with a completely new material, introduced for the first time on this product typology. The raw concrete surface makes materia a monumental piece, a natually textured suspended volume.
Taio, is the fourth Objet bijoux designed for Alessi, a pizza cutter whose shape is reminiscent of the softness of a fabric case closed with a metal button while the broad handle envelopes the blade to create a utensil which is both safe and easy to handle.
Vetra is a cooking hood that combine Circle.Tech Falmec technology with a strong innovation about materials and lighting. Hidden LED light sources use the trasmission of crystal clear glass to transfer an omogeneous light on the cooking plane. The result is an extremely simple yet efficient product.
VS1 capsule is conceived as a personal interpretation of MODO’s exclusive Paper-Thin Titanium collection. Made with 0.6 mm-thick Beta Titanium 153 and the TR 90 Polyamide, this collection reduces the size of the Polyamide rim to reveal the frame’s architecture, calling attention to the innovative design that makes Paper-Thin Titanium so unique.
"This was my starting point, the lure of smooth shapes, the idea that some of these forms can incidentally also have a function without necessarily declaring it explicitly. From all this comes a compact steel Bottle opener that feels like holding a smooth shell in your hand, an organic shape with variable thicknesses that comes to life in the light, whose reflections allow its form to be fully perceived.”
Bent aluminum sheets and a textile diffuser define the thin and elegant structure of Grus, a floor lamp whose name refers to a skinny bird and a bright constellation.
Kushi is a collection of lamps designed with the precise idea of combining smooth blown glass and metal. This combination, created both for functional an aesthetic reasons, generates a visual illusion that transforms the glass into a soft material, pierced by a thin metal rod.
ROSE, a Jaquard-woven chenille and cotton rug, an abstract and geometric representation of a blooming rose bush.
A white shiny glass blown within a polyhedric stainless steel cage, a visual tale of the escape of the content from its container. Produced in two sizes and two versions, it was featured in "The New Italian Design" exhibition at the Triennale di Milano in 2010, curated by Silvana Annicchiarico.
"In designing 'Sfrido', I wanted to approach this type of object by trying to study, as well as a new form, a new way of using it, to make a product that would be convenient but not perceived as a simple tool. Hence the idea to maintain the size very compact in order to create a vegetable peeler that, rather than act as an extension of the arm, reduced the distance between the hand and the vegetable, making the gesture more natural, leaving the user to decide how to hold it."
“Like the villain in Terminator, 'T-1000' is the static representation of fluid metal. Two drops of mercury come together only moments earlier they were distinct elements and in just a few seconds they’ll become just one. At that precise moment they are two slightly-concave surfaces on which to rest the dirty spoons while cooking.” Spoon rest in 18/10 stainless steel.
A graphic project that starting from encyclopedic illustrations of fish, reproduces, reflects and breaks them down to destruction through the use of irregular kaleidoscopes. Born from research on geometry and animalier prints, illusioni ittiche explores the possibility of random creation and the loss of control over the final result: large images showing a gradual transition from the representation of readable subjects to abstract and purely graphic ones.Limited edition of 4 pieces.
Gas-moulded stackable chair in polypropylene with glass fibre. Designed for the contract sector and conceived both with and without armrest. Amy represents the first seating project of the studio.
Mail is a family of bent metal wall lamps available in four sizes and five different finishes: matte white, sand grey, pearl grey, gold foil and copper foil.
I looked at tribal architecture, turtles, camping equipment and teapots. At the end I designed a hooded cat litterbox with a thin stainless steel handle.
Lumi is a large collection of satin-finish white blown glass lamps.The first was Mochi, than came Baka, Poga and Mychena in various models, sizes and light sources. The name Lumi is important for two reasons: the first is more direct, being tied to the lighting world, which intends collecting under a single name a precise type of lamp, but with a refined and archaic term; the second has to do with the translation of the word “snow” in Finnish, i.e., “lumi”, thereby again underscoring how the main feature of these lamps is the opal white diffuser, with soft and delicate shapes, just like snow. Now Lumi is a collection with more than 100 SKU.
"A vibrator, sometimes described as a massager, is a sex toy that is used on the body to produce pleasurable sexual stimulation. There are many different shapes and models of vibrators. Most modern vibrators contain an electric-powered device which pulsates or throbs." Matrioska was designed to be compact, handy and descreet.
A totemic figure, an icon of a perfectly trimmed plant, like a topiary exercise. An ideal lamp for outdoor spaces and large interior.
Extra clear tempered glass with a thickness of 8mm. Its electrical circuit, like blood vessels, runs on the top of the glass through a silk-screen printing. Adjustable stainless steel cables.
A sharp square aluminum base holds an optical glass diffuser. A cylinder with a sharp cut that diffuses and refract the light.
Designed in 2001, this audio system marks the studio’s first project to enter mass production.The design is defined by its monolithic presence and a rigorous "clear design language." The interface features a series of mechanical push-pull buttons that dictate the rhythm of the front panel, engineered to sit perfectly flush with the chassis when set to neutral. A rare survivor from a now-defunct manufacturer, this object bridges the gap between the studio's origins and its current approach to form.
