An educational and innovative project brought together 60 students from the Politecnico di Milano and Alice Ceramica to explore new horizons in sanitary ceramics design.
The Project
A virtuous synergy between academia and industry, placing innovation, education, and the talent of the new generations at the center. This is the essence of the project that united Alice Ceramica—a young company representing Italian manufacturing excellence in sanitary ceramics—and the School of Design of the Politecnico di Milano, with the aim of exploring new visions for the bathroom environment.
The project took place between September 2024 and January 2025, involving around 60 third-year students from the Bachelor’s program in Industrial Product Design. Guided by a team of professors—including Prof. Patrizia Bolzan, architect Francesco Lucchese, and professors Simone Fanciullacci, Andrea Fiorati, and Marcello Pirovano—the students faced a real challenge: to design a collection or an innovative product in sanitary ceramics aligned with Alice’s mission and brand identity.
From material study to Design
The educational path followed a highly design-oriented approach. After an initial phase of analysis and information gathering, students deepened their understanding of the technical characteristics of ceramic materials and the related production processes. Creative inspirations, cultural crossovers (also thanks to the presence of international groups), and a strong focus on modularity and color guided the development of their concepts.
Direct contact with the company was a key component of the project. The collaboration officially began with a company presentation on September 17, 2024, and continued with strategic visits, including a tour of Alice’s booth at the Cersaie fair in Bologna and a meeting at the Milan showroom in Via Marsala, in the heart of Brera. There, students had the opportunity to interact with key company figures such as designer and marketing manager Manuel Di Giacobbe and production director Eng. Emanuele Corsi.
Fresh ideas and concrete visions
The final results, presented during the exam session, demonstrated a mature and innovative approach from the young designers. Projects ranged from aesthetic reinterpretations of ceramics to explorations of new functions, including designs focused on color and modularity. The company carefully evaluated each proposal, appreciating their originality and ability to translate Alice’s values into new and surprising forms. It was a gesture of trust and commitment to supporting the designers, architects, and creatives of tomorrow.
The collaboration with the Politecnico di Milano is seen as a launching point for a future increasingly oriented toward research. Mauro Rossi, CEO of Alice Ceramica, stated:
“We are pleased to have supported this project, collaborating with one of the most prestigious universities in the world for design and innovation. For us, it’s essential to contribute our know-how and training, as these professionals support and enrich our work with new inspiration. Establishing direct dialogue from their early training years is both stimulating and strategic, allowing for valuable exchanges on the evolving concept of the bathroom environment—and, more broadly, offering new design perspectives.”
A bridge between university and industry
This project marks a significant step toward deeper integration between academia and the professional world. A goal in which Alice Ceramica strongly believes, by promoting the inclusion of young talents within the company, fostering continuous training, and cultivating a business culture open to innovation.
Ultimately, the collaboration with the Politecnico di Milano does not end with the presentation of the students’ work. Instead, it lays the groundwork for a permanent laboratory of ideas, relationships, and opportunities—to shape together the future of Made in Italy ceramics.
