ADRENALINA INCONTRA
selected for
ADI Design Index 2026/2028

Adrenalina Incontra Museo Omero e Istituto Cavazza has been selected for the ADI Design Index 2026/2028 in the Research for Business category.

The innovative sensory co-design process led by Debonademeo Studio and Adrenalina together with blind and visually impaired people has been selected in the Research section and enters the ADI Design Index on its path towards the next Compasso d’Oro.

1 October 2026 – The curatorial project “Adrenalina Incontra Museo Omero e Istituto Cavazza”, conceived by furniture brand Adrenalina and the company’s art directors Debonademeo Studio, has been included in the ADI DESIGN INDEX 2026 in the Research section.

Developed in collaboration with the Museo Tattile Statale Omero in Ancona and the Istituto dei Ciechi Francesco Cavazza in Bologna, the project was selected for its distinctive co-design process, which placed blind and visually impaired people at the heart of the creation of a new upholstered furniture system.

This prestigious selection places the project among the outstanding examples of Italian design that will be considered for the next Compasso d’Oro, in 2028.

A synaesthetic approach: design created “with”, not “for”

The initiative marks the second chapter of “Adrenalina Incontra”, the five-year cultural programme launched in 2024 to bring the company’s manufacturing expertise into dialogue with social, artistic and humanistic fields beyond the traditional boundaries of interior design.

For the 2025 edition, “Adrenalina Incontra Museo Omero e Istituto Cavazza” began by exploring furniture, form and perception while deliberately setting aside sight — the sense we usually rely on most — to discover how an object can be understood through the full spectrum of our senses.

The journey unfolded through a series of experiential workshops led by designers and art directors Debonademeo Studio in specially designed settings, where blind and visually impaired participants were invited to freely explore Adrenalina products. This multisensory dialogue around shapes, volumes, tactile perception, olfactory responses and the thermal qualities of materials provided valuable insights into a model of universal design. The resulting sofa was not simply designed for people with visual impairments, but with them — and for everyone.

The installation: conscious use of colour and storytelling through Braille

Presented to the public during Milan Design Week at Palazzo Litta, as part of the MoscaPartners Variations collective exhibition, the project took shape as a highly synaesthetic experience.

The spatial design followed the principles of a conscious use of colour, choosing yellow for its high visibility and contrast — qualities that are particularly relevant when designing accessible environments for people with visual impairments. Colour thus became a design tool, helping to make the space more immediately perceptible and the overall experience more inclusive.

At the heart of the installation, the Aedo sofa welcomed visitors upholstered in refined yellow satin, embellished with phrases embroidered in Braille. The embroidery reproduced original words spoken by participants during the workshops, transforming the fabric into a tactile narrative of the entire project.

Aedo: when co-design takes shape

Aedo emerged from a co-design process with blind and visually impaired people, who played a central role in defining needs, perceptions and solutions. Debonademeo Studio translated the ideas conceived through this shared dialogue into design, giving form to a new way of interpreting the relationship between people and furniture.

Fluid, reassuring forms: soft, sinuous lines avoid rigid profiles and sharp edges, following the body and encouraging a natural, reassuring interaction.

Integrated functionality and technology: the modular structure incorporates a charging point for electronic devices and easily accessible storage pockets, keeping books and personal belongings within easy reach.

Adaptable comfort and integrated storage: soft, adjustable cushions allow the seating experience to adapt to different postures and needs, while the matching pouf incorporates a practical storage compartment.

Aedo is the tangible form taken by the research: not an object designed for people with visual impairments, but conceived with them and intended for everyone.