Well-being, health, sustainability, and environmental responsibility—through the use of bio-based materials and circular production processes—along with technology as a tool for inclusion and spatial quality—were the guiding criteria behind the 2025 Compasso d’Oro International Award.
The ceremony occurred on September 5 inside the Italian Pavilion at Expo Osaka. The international jury, chaired by Maite García Sanchis and composed of Luciano Galimberti, Yongqi Lou, Mario Vattani, and Matteo Vercelloni, awarded 20 Compasso d’Oro prizes and 35 Honorable Mentions to projects from across the globe.
Evaluation criteria of the 2025 Compasso d’Oro International Award
The winning projects were those that best interpreted the theme of Japan’s Universal Exposition—Designing Future Society for Our Lives—across three domains: Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives.
In their official statement, the jury emphasized the «richness of expression paired with a strong sense of responsibility and commitment,» recognizing design as a universal language capable of crossing national boundaries and addressing global challenges with innovation, quality, and sustainability.
Lighting design in the spotlight at Expo Osaka 2025: projects awarded the Compasso d’Oro
Among the awarded works, several stood out from the world of lighting design.
The Agorà projector by iGuzzini received the Compasso d’Oro for synthesizing a complex and versatile lighting system into a simple, complete form, featuring specially designed optics.
Also awarded was Avro by Martinelli Luce, which was praised for its versatility and seamless installation in indoor and outdoor settings without requiring technical adjustments. Anisette by Vetreria Vistosi was recognized for its contemporary interpretation of traditional Murano glassblowing, highlighting its ability to shape interiors through light modulation.
Eikon Exé Tondo by Vimar is noteworthy and praised for its innovative aesthetic and seamless integration with smart home systems, offering both standard and advanced functionalities. Among the Honorable Mentions, special recognition went to the Signals exhibition by Venini, held earlier this year at Galerie Kreo in Paris, and to the design of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch, created by CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati.
All winning projects will remain displayed at the Italian Pavilion until Expo 2025 closes on October 13. The awards and exhibition will also be restaged in Milan, at the ADI Design Museum, starting December 9, 2025, and remain open until January 6, 2026. Additionally, each winning project will become part of the
Permanent Collection of the Compasso d’Oro, joining over 2,500 works that narrate the evolution of design and society from the 1950s to today.
Agorà
iGuzzini, design Wilmotte & Industries
Motivation:
Compasso d’Oro for successfully synthesizing a complex and variable lighting system into a simple and complete form, with specially designed optics. The lighting project merges seamlessly with the object that contains it.
Avro
Martinelli Luce, design Studio Natural
Motivazione:
Compasso d’Oro for designing a lamp that responds to the needs of hybrid spaces, offering a versatile solution that can be easily installed in existing interiors without the need for system modifications.
Anisette
Vetreria Vistosi, design Francesco Lucchese
Motivazione:
Compasso d’Oro for enhancing the traditional art of Murano glassblowing, highlighting the material’s ability to define interior spaces by modulating light through the combination of two glass bells with different levels of transparency.
Eikon Exé Tondo
Vimar
Motivazione:
Compasso d’Oro for simplifying technological integration: its modular structure makes it adaptable to any international standard, compatible with both traditional and advanced functions, including voice assistance.
Signals Exhibition
Venini, Galerie kreo, design Edward Barber, Jay Osgerby
The Olympic and Paralympic Torch of Milano Cortina 2026
Milano Cortina 2026, Eni-Versalis, design CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati, Cavagna Group