Federico Rosa

Department: Man and Communication
Website: rosafederico.com

Acqua Alta

What: A furniture collection that reflects the effects of high tide in Venice, creating a new aesthetic with references to the classic republican style.

Why: As the sea level is rising, floods in Venice are getting worse. Water enters houses and restaurants, but there is still no solid policy to save the city. Instead of ignoring the problem like many Venetians do, Federico Rosa revives awareness with a stylish yet worrisome design.

How: These pieces of furniture may look like traditional classics, but they are actually trendsetters. The remnants of the high tide – molluscs, barnacles and seaweed – are cast into bronze ornaments for their legs, warning the world of what the future will bring.

“We are used to the water, but are not ready for it”