The talent and creativity of Istituto Marangoni Milano Design once again take center stage internationally. At the seventh edition of the TABU International Contest – IDEAS4WOOD 2025, held at the MUDEC in Milan and featuring more than 500 projects from 35 countries, three of our students achieved top recognition in a competition dedicated to the innovative and sustainable use of wood in design.

First Prize for Two Students from Santo Domingo

The 1st Prize in the Student Category was awarded to Aileen Bautista Lora and Wanda Linette De La Rosa Martinez, both enrolled in the Master in Interior Design, with their project BOREA: a three-dimensional surface capable of creating different perceptions depending on the viewing angle.
The two young designers, originally from Santo Domingo, chose to continue their education at Istituto Marangoni thanks to the MESCYT Scholarship, a program promoted by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of the Dominican Republic that supports local talents in studying abroad.

Their project also won the PEFC Award, highlighting their commitment to sustainable forest management, a core value of the contest.

“My experience at Istituto Marangoni Milano Design has been truly transformative. Thanks to the MESCYT scholarship, I immersed myself in an international environment, learning from inspiring tutors and collaborating with classmates from all over the world. This diversity enriched my perspective and shaped the way I approach projects today. I had the opportunity to work with brands like Ferrari and to take part in competitions such as IDEAS4WOOD, which put my name on the international design map. I am deeply grateful to Istituto Marangoni and MESCYT for believing in my potential and supporting this important step in my journey.”
— Aileen Bautista Lora

“Milan has been a dream I had long carried in my heart, and living it has been nothing short of transformative. Thanks to Istituto Marangoni and Mescyt, I embraced a journey that challenged me to think critically, push creative boundaries, and collaborate with iconic brands like Cappellini, Ferrari, and Tabu. Coming from the Dominican Republic, this experience has been even more meaningful—it proved that with perseverance, discipline, and passion, we can reach places once thought unattainable. Carrying my culture and roots with me has been a source of strength, inspiring me to bring diversity and authenticity into design. I am deeply grateful for the mentors who guided me, the projects that tested me, and the friendships that became family. This chapter in Milan will always remind me that with dedication and faith, dreams can indeed become reality.”
— Wanda Linette De La Rosa Martinez 

Third Prize for a Product Design Talent

The 3rd Prize was awarded to Artis Kristians Abikis, a second-year Product Design undergraduate student from Riga, Latvia, with the project WIDMAN: an exploration of multilaminar veneer that combines technical precision with creative experimentation.

Special Awards: Double Recognition with OSCILLA

Bautista Lora and De La Rosa Martinez also received the IQD Award for their project OSCILLA, characterized by fluid lines and iridescent reflections, praised by the jury for its conceptual and aesthetic qualities.

IDEAS4WOOD: An International Contest on the Rise

The contest, promoted by TABU in collaboration with FSC® Italy, attracted students and professionals from across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East, confirming its status as a global benchmark for wood design. Since 2018, nearly 6,000 participants have taken up the IDEAS4WOOD challenge, with more than 15,000 students and professionals involved in the educational and creative journey promoted by TABU.

An International Community Rewarding Talent

For Istituto Marangoni Milano Design, this achievement reaffirms its international vocation and commitment to providing an academic path that attracts and empowers students from around the world. Participation in the contest is not only an opportunity for visibility but also a real laboratory where students can experiment with materials, techniques, and contemporary design languages.