Cover The golden interior of Barovier & Toso’s Tatler Homes Design Awards 2024—Singapore trophies
The golden interior of Barovier & Toso’s Tatler Homes Design Awards 2024—Singapore trophies
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Heritage Venetian glass brand Barovier & Toso marks its encore participation as Tatler Homes Design Awards 2024—Singapore’s trophy partner with an exquisite bespoke design inspired by nature and sustainability
Barovier & Toso, the renowned Italian luxury company specialising in Venetian glass, has once again partnered with the Tatler Homes Design Awards to create bespoke trophies for the programme’s 2024 Singapore winners.
This year’s awards theme, Green by Design, inspired the artisans at Barovier & Toso to craft trophies that embody the essence of nature. Each trophy is a testament to the brand’s unparalleled craftsmanship and commitment to sustainability, reflecting organic forms found in the natural world.
Crafted in Murano, Venice, a place famous for its rich glassmaking tradition, the trophies were designed by Barovier & Toso’s talented creative team, once again led by head of design and technical department Sara Pedrali, and project developer and designer Marco Canal. Barovier & Toso, founded in 1295, has over 700 years of history in glassmaking.
The trophies are conceptualised as infinite ribbons, a design that symbolises continuity and the cyclical nature of life.
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Above The triple colours of clear, white and gold of Barovier & Toso’s Tatler Homes Design Awards 2024 — Singapore trophies were created using a secret proprietary technique
The triple colours of clear, white and gold of Barovier & Toso’s Tatler Homes Design Awards 2024 — Singapore trophies were created using a secret proprietary technique
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This design choice aligns perfectly with the theme of sustainability, as it echoes the endless cycle of growth and regeneration found in nature. Each ribbon is made of three layers of gold, white, and clear glass, using a proprietary technique developed over centuries.
“It’s an honour to return to the Tatler Homes Design Awards 2024 with an all-new inspiring design,” comments Ed Ong, founder of M Luxury Asia, Barovier & Toso’s exclusive distributor in Singapore.
He elaborates on the inspiration behind the trophy’s design, emphasising the importance of representing sustainability through art. “When you cut down a tree, you see the rings in the trunk, which signify growth over time. Our trophy represents these rings, highlighting the passage of time and the growth that is required for excellence in design.”
Ong also notes the significance of the trophy’s organic form. “In nature, there are no straight lines, as famously stated by Antoni Gaudí. This idea influenced our design, making the trophy feel like an organic ribbon. Each trophy is unique, with no sharp edges or identical shapes, much like elements found in nature. This uniqueness symbolises the individuality and creativity of each award recipient.”
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Above The form Barovier & Toso’s Tatler Homes Design Awards 2024 — Singapore trophy is one of a kind
The form Barovier & Toso’s Tatler Homes Design Awards 2024 — Singapore trophy is one of a kind
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The creation process for these trophies is as meticulous as it is fascinating. “First, we blow a large bubble and then cut through it to shape the trophy,” Ong explains. “The three layers of glass—white in the middle, clear on the exterior, and gold on the interior—are fused without the colours bleeding into one another. This technique is one of the many secrets of Barovier & Toso, preserved and perfected over centuries.”
The choice of gold, white, and clear glass was deliberate and meaningful. Gold, often associated with value and prestige, was chosen to highlight the significance of the awards. “Gold has intrinsic value and symbolises the pinnacle of achievement, making it a fitting choice for the winners,” Ong notes. At first glance, the ribbon registers to the eye as white; this makes its gold interior something like a delightful, precious discovery.
Beyond its aesthetic and symbolic significance, the trophy’s design also holds practical considerations—it is pleasant to the touch. Asked if the trophy’s edgeless form and colour adhere to principles of good feng shui, Ong notes that it is somewhat serendipitous. “It’s like a golden ring with no sharp edges, representing harmony and endless possibilities,” he comments.
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Above Relive the highlights of Tatler Homes Design Awards 2024 - Singapore gala where the Barovier & Toso trophies were awarded to the winners
The uniqueness of each trophy was a delightful surprise to both the creators of the design as well as the award recipients. “When we saw each trophy, we realised how different they all were,” Ong recalls. “It’s amazing to see the variety in shapes, making each piece truly one of a kind.”
The trophies were met with high praise from the winners and industry stalwarts present at the gala. Their appreciation of the design and craftsmanship further validated Barovier & Toso’s efforts in creating something truly exceptional. Barovier & Toso’s bespoke trophies for the Tatler Homes Design Awards 2024 are more than just awards; they are essentially works of art that celebrate nature, sustainability, and the exceptional creativity of the winners.
Each trophy, with its unique design and profound symbolism, stands as a testament to the timeless craft of Murano glassmaking, the enduring value of thoughtful design, our appreciation of our local design scene and, of course, our commitment to sustainability.
Credits
Photography: Wong Weiliang
Art Direction: Charlene Lee
Jakarta-born, Bandung-raised and Singapore-based, Asih Jenie trained in Visual Communication Design at Bandung Institute of Technology and Architecture at Parahyangan Catholic University. She brings both rigour and heart to design journalism, infused with a distinct Southeast Asian voice.
As a child, she doodled on the edges of her schoolbooks and never outgrew her fascination with all things well-made and well-told. Her 15-year career spans editorial roles and bylines in Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Australia, across spatial design titles such as Dwell Asia, Cubes, Design Anthology, Habitus Living, and Home & Decor.
After a brief stint in public relations, she returned to publishing in 2023 to lead Tatler Homes Singapore, where she continues to tell stories about how we shape the spaces that shape us.
