Istituto Marangoni Milano Design has once again established itself among the leading institutions at the eighth edition of IDEAS4WOOD, the international competition promoted by TABU, which each year brings together students, designers and professionals to explore innovative wood surfaces and furniture design solutions. The 2026 final, held at the Auditorium Testori in Palazzo Lombardia, welcomed more than 800 participants from universities and design schools around the world, confirming the competition as one of the most important international events dedicated to design experimentation in the wood industry.

More than just a competition, IDEAS4WOOD is a true educational journey that connects creativity, research and industry. Through workshops, technical seminars and direct engagement with leading companies, the contest encourages participants to explore new expressive and manufacturing possibilities for wood, promoting a design approach driven by innovation, sustainability and a deep understanding of materials.

Within this context, students from Istituto Marangoni Milano Design earned four prestigious awards, standing out for the quality of their projects, their material research and their ability to interpret the competition brief.

In the TABU Decorative Surfaces category, Mahra Mustafa received the Second Prize for UNFOLD, a project that demonstrates the potential of wood surfaces as a medium for developing new aesthetic and expressive languages.

Another outstanding achievement came from Aigin Juhls, who won the Carpanelli Special Award – Student Category with the project INTAGLIO. Presented by the renowned Italian fine cabinetry brand, the award recognises the most innovative proposals for furniture design systems, celebrating projects capable of combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design thinking.

The Milan campus' success was further reinforced by two Special Mentions, awarded to Gustav Craft for MORTISE and Gianmarco Festa for SHOJI, highlighting the strength and consistency of the design path developed by students at Istituto Marangoni Milano Design.

These achievements reflect an educational approach that places design practice at the heart of the learning experience, encouraging students to engage with real industry briefs, innovative materials and leading international companies. Competitions such as IDEAS4WOOD offer an invaluable opportunity to develop and test creative, technical and strategic skills within a highly competitive environment closely connected to the design industry.

The 2026 edition also recognised other talents from the wider Istituto Marangoni international community. Kira Nikolaeva, a student from Istituto Marangoni Dubai, received the Jury Award for her project MARKS OF BEING, while Wanda Linette De La Rosa Martinez and Aileen Bautista Lora, alumnae of the Master's Programme in Interior Design from the Dominican Republic, were honoured in the Professional Category with the RODA FOR YOU Award for their project VITRO.

These results further demonstrate Istituto Marangoni Milano Design's ability to educate designers who are ready to address the challenges of contemporary design, transforming research, experimentation and design culture into tangible opportunities for professional growth and international recognition.