Arquitectonica furniture and Batman chairs among highlights at Design Miami 2025
Architecture studio Arquitectonica's first standalone furniture line, curated collectible design and crisp industrial design from French Gallerie Signé were among the highlights at Design Miami's 20th anniversary show.
Designers from around the world gathered this week at Design Miami's massive air-conditioned tent in Miami Beach to see the work of dozens of galleries and collaborative installations installed under the guidance of curator Glenn Adamson, with the theme Make Believe.
This theme was most evident in the Miami Design District-sponsored installation by American designer Katie Stout – a pedal-operated merry-go-round placed in the mirrored booth. The creatures that formed the vehicles in the ride could also be found in Stout's Gargantua Thumb exhibition as benches in the Miami Design District.
Directly across from Stout's installation was a set of metal furniture with decorative flowers that appeared to be sprouting directly from the frames by Conie Vallese for Fendi.
Other impressive brand booths put on by organisations included a mirrored room with a backlit ceiling designed by Harry Nuriev to showcase an iridescent sink by Kohler, while SCAD showcased alumni work including a woven metal-and-cotton fixture by Carl Johnson and a plaster-cast installation by Sarah Fonzi.
Galleries such as Future Perfect and Friedman Benda brought dozens of pieces in large booths and there were many new exhibitors to the fair, with 26 presenters showing for the first time.
Among these was Paris-based Galerie Signé, which won the Best New Voice award for its collection of furniture that eschewed the usual effusive art furniture approach to the fair in favour of more design-forward objects, It included pieces by designers Martin Szekely, Julie Richoz, and Marie & Alexandre.
Galerie Signé founder Maxime Bouzidi, who commissions the work he shows directly, told Dezeen that he was pleased to show at the fair due to its important position as a vehicle speaking to the American public.
Another newcomer was Virginia-based Friends Artspace, which showcased work that "reclaims inherited forms and techniques" such as designer Trey Jones' surreal patterned wooden future based on Nerikomi patterns and wood-and-paper lamps by Kawabi. This booth won the Best Thematic Expression Award.
An award for Best Contemporary Work was given to Colombian designer Jorge Lizarazo for his solo showcase of woven wall hangings and furniture with New York's Cristina Grajales Gallery.
Another extremely focused showcase was from Mexico City-based Sten Studio, which showcased decor in rich stone, including a stunning chair made completely of blue calcite.
There were several strong showings in the more single-focus and archival Curio section.
Chief among these was a daring exhibition by New York gallery Superhouse called American Art Furniture: 1980-1990, which won Best Curio.
The colourful booth featured scenography with large dream-like columns from California-based Studio Ahead.
Stand out pieces included a moulded leather chair in the shape of comic book hero Batman's body suit by Alex Locadia and a pyramidal yellow cabinet by Richard Sydner.
Also in this section was a series of teak-and-zinc furniture by architecture studio Arquitectonica called Vadose. Studio co-founder Laurinda Hope Spear was present at the opening.
The collection was the first from the studio, which typically designs one-off furniture for its massive architecture projects. One of these, a long, undulating bench, was incorporated into the studio's design for the talks space, separate from the booth.
Also well-conceived was a booth by design studio Atra, which showcased a wrap-around couch designed by studio Morphus.io to vibrate for wellness and was covered with rich green fabric by Métaphores.
Casa Malaparte and Gagosian showcased furniture from the famed Italian villa, alongside a bright-blue chair created based on films shot at the house.
Finally, Adamson's Design Miami 2.0 exhibition featured eight designers chosen for being the "most compelling voices in contemporary design".
Among these works were a collection of furniture made of melted carpet by Jack Craig presented by gallerist David Klein, large metal work by Tina Frey Designs, streamlined objects by Dirk van der Kooij, and a large ceremonial backdrop and surfaces based on Kuba textiles and rendered in wood by Stephen Burks Man Made and Alpi.
Additionally, during the fair, Design Miami announced that it will launch a Dubai edition in 2027.
The photography is by Jeanne Canto unless otherwise stated.
Design Miami takes place from 2 to 7 December in Miami Beach. For more global exhibitions, talks, and openings in architecture and design visit Dezeen Events Guide.
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