Together with Artedomus, David Flack and Adriana Hanna visited the headquarters, family homes and fabrication facilities of Cotto Manetti, Agape, Bagnara and more. Immersed in each moment and place, for three intensive days they lived on a vibrant emulsion of Italian culture, artisanship and design. Friendships were ignited and forged, indispensable wisdoms imparted, precious details illuminated, and creative revelations revealed.

But, let’s allow David and Adriana to explain in their own words here. –

Alice Blackwood: What were some of your most memorable moments from your recent trip to Italy with Artedomus team?

David Flack: Being in Tuscany and visiting Artedomus’ suppliers and [observing] their manufacturing processes was incredible. When you know where something comes from, you fall in love with the product even more – understanding its origins, the process of creation, and the people and stories behind them.

Adriana Hanna: [Most memorable was] the opportunity to meet visionary people like Emanuele Benedini, who courageously started Agape 50 years ago and has created an eponymous bathware brand. It’s unlike any other [and] collaborates with leading creatives such as Achille Castiglioni, Vico Magistretti and Patricia Urquiola. Emanuele’s enthusiasm and passion for design was palpable and proves that design transcends generations.

How does travel and discovery feed into your creative practice?

David: Travel informs our studio as much as our library of books. There is something very invigorating when you’re away, especially on a holiday, and being a part of another culture, within their landscape, experiencing nature, and how a country’s culture informs its history and architecture. I’m always taking photographs of details – from door handles to patterns in flooring, flora, windows and doors, colour combinations… My mind opens up, I’m thinking very clearly, ideas come much more vividly, and I start to populate them across the studio’s practice.

Adriana: We’re fairly isolated in our island home [of Australia] so I relish the opportunity [to travel], as travelling expands our knowledge and experience. Its energising discovering new places, seeing a space or building that is well known but also exploring its surroundings and context; understanding how different cultures solve design problems.

How do you synthesise the things you discover and see, and feed them into your creative practice?

David: I am very visceral and take in a lot of information all at once. I don’t actually know at the time why I would be interested in something so specific or what this might lead to, however it always lands in my memory vault. Sometime in the future I’ll remember that one detail or material – or whatever I saw on that trip – and pull out my reference photos. From here it might lead to a new discovery and inform our designs or even products that we are working through.

Adriana: When I’m travelling I typically photo document as I’m an extremely visual person, but on this trip it was actually listening to the creatives and makers that engaged me. The invaluable knowledge they imparted I use day-to-day, to explain to clients and colleagues the unique provenance and process of the materials we specify. These interactions have created an appreciation and value for materials that we quite often taken for granted.

Was there a favourite product or process discovered during your travels?

David: It was brilliant to see Agape Casa and Agape products, I have always loved them and shared a great affection for their design quality and enduring designs. It was super fun to see all the archival pieces from their beginnings: there was a few pieces from the early 1980s that I loved, let’s hope they are re-editioned one day soon!

It was [also] brilliant to see all the stone slabs that are new or that I had only seen in photographs. This was most inspiring as I was able to change specifications on upcoming projects and place new materials that have yet to be seen in Australia.

Adriana: For me, meeting the makers behind Cotto Manetti, a centuries-old business creating truly unique pieces from terracotta. We were fortunate enough to visit the quarry, learn about the process of forming, drying and firing tiles, and watched artisans create handmade furniture pieces for the New Volumes collection. The New Volumes terracotta pieces are pressed into plaster moulds, set to dry for weeks and then fired for days.

I’m always in admiration of Artedomus for having the vision to extend the potential of a material like terracotta and create a contemporary collection of objects and furniture that celebrates not only the material but Australian design.

David: It was so brilliant to see the New Volumes [second collection] collaboration in motion with Cotto Manetti in Tuscany: seeing this traditional method of manufacturing transformed into something new and contemporary. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

A particular experience or place that left an impression on you?

David: One of my favourite places visited was Cotto Manetti, and staying in the Manetti family’s guest house. Being able to see the history of their company and the simplicity of how the terracotta products are made was so informative. I have loved this product for many years, being able to see it first-hand has developed a much greater appreciation.

Adriana: Yes, the Manetti family home. Set in a vineyard in Tuscany the home was unpretentious and warm. This was further enriched by the family’s generosity and united passion for design. They took us in like one of their own and we had an unforgettable evening with plenty of laughter.

David, you shared this trip with Adriana. What happens when you travel together?

David: Adriana and I have been travelling to Milan every second year for the last eight years. Our friendship was formed on this very first trip together back in 2017. Being able to travel together and navigate the deep waters of Milan Design Week cemented our bond and friendship. We are both design-obsessed humans, therefore we can soak up a good 12-plus hours a day of design and architecture. She is an incredible person and brilliant designer too. Not only is she a wonderful friend, she has supported me and my studio with advice and encouragement.

And Adriana, what about you?

Adriana: Dave and I have travelled together many times in the past, particularly for Salone Del Mobile. We make good travel companions as we have a similar energy and interest – we have this urge to see and experience as much as we can and never take an opportunity for granted. I did learn that he literally knows almost all the stone types, his visual memory is remarkable.

Reflective moments?

Adriana: The brands Artedomus represents are truly original and innovative and their relationships are beyond transactional. There is an underlying comradery and warmth with every maker and business.

David: Being away with a group of design loving geeks is absolutely awesome. The day just speeds by and you walk away each day feeling inspired, uplifted and knowing exactly why you love being a part of our industry. I feel so fortunate to be able to share this with the Artedomus team and Adriana. Our years of collaboration and friendship personally and professionally is longstanding and appreciated, from here the opportunities to create and share our love for design are only growing.