Giacomo Moor: materials, method, and essential design

2 July 2026

In Giacomo Moor‘s work, design and construction are in constant dialogue, shaping a method in which thought arises from action. On the occasion of the launch of the Fillet chair for Living Divani, the designer discusses his relationship with materials, his experience with the company, and the genesis of the collection, reflecting on the role of design in balancing identity, sustainability, and innovation.

Interview conducted in Italian – English translation and editorial adaptation.

Your path stems from a profound knowledge of wood and materials: how does this artisanal sensibility influence your approach to contemporary design?

Our studio has had an in-house carpentry workshop from the very beginning; the design phase intersects daily with the manufacturing phase, triggering mechanisms and thought processes that influence my approach to design. Direct contact with materials and the possibility of continuous empirical verification have allowed me to develop a method in which thought is influenced by action and vice versa.

In the Fillet and Fillet Lounge collections for Living Divani, construction details become aesthetic elements. How did the project originate, and what kind of dialogue was established between structure, proportions, and comfort?

The Fillet collection was born and evolved around an almost obsessive pursuit of subtraction and synthesis. The elements involved contribute equally to creating structure, and the formal result is a direct consequence of specific production rules imposed by the calendering of the metal tubing. I’m fascinated by the fact that the graphic design, created by the union of the leg and the frame, is left exposed, revealing the construction principle. The padded part adapts to the geometry of the shell and, completely independent of it, can be easily replaced.

What struck and fascinated you most about Living Divani during the collaboration, both from a production and human perspective?

I believe that no project can exist without a continuous exchange between the parties, where the combination of different skills helps create the right formula. Carola Bestetti and the entire project team captivated me from our very first collaboration, the 2023 Railway sideboard, with their constant pursuit of product improvement. This methodical pursuit of quality, combined with a profound respect for the proposals brought to the tab

What kind of environment do you envision for the Fillet and Fillet Lounge collections? Do you envision them in intimate domestic spaces, contract settings, or architecture with a strong contemporary character?

One of the most important aspects to consider when designing a product for a company is the balance between the expressive power of the piece and its ability to adapt to a wide variety of situations and contexts. I like to think of Fillet as a presence that appears light and silent at first glance, but upon closer inspection reveals attention to detail and a precise construction criterion. The option to customize the aluminum or wood shell, and to add or remove the padded part, reinforces the product’s versatility, allowing it to easily fit into warm domestic spaces or contract settings.

Looking at the current design landscape, what do you think the role of the designer is today in maintaining a balance between formal identity, sustainability, and technological innovation?

In the current landscape, the tendency toward formal flattening and standardization of proposals
is quite evident. Sustainability, an overused word, but one that should be essential in every designer’s vocabulary, should be pursued by seeking to design products that outlast trends and seasons. Technological innovation and coherence of language are powerful tools for enabling products to enter homes and age over the years alongside their owners.

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