Nominator: Giorgio Marco Grandi & Marco Covini

Nominator's statement

Eliza Back de Almeida served as Teaching Tutor for the 2024-2025 IED Master in Interior Design (Full English) in Milan, coordinated by Arch. Giorgio Grandi. Excelling in Design Workshop 2 under the design guidance of Arch. Marco Covini, she embodies enthusiastic professionalism, bridging cross-disciplinary collaboration with the charisma of one who "lives for design."

Her signature is fluid flexibility, seamlessly blending original conceptual visions with fieldwork and deep social analysis. Maintaining exceptional analytical standards across both social and exclusive luxury contexts, she offers a perspective that transcends conventional problem-solving.

Eliza’s true value stems from her passion for discovery and drive to generate new behavioral models, viewing design as a powerful tool for social evolution. Mindful of resources yet eager for technological experimentation, we strongly believe that her profile perfectly embodies the **BIG SEE Perspectives** for a more inclusive, mindful, and stimulating future.

GENTLE GROUNDS - MADÊ CAFÉ

Madê Café was conceived as a welcoming refuge within the pace of everyday urban life, where coffee, food, and social interaction come together in a relaxed and inviting environment. Inspired by the richness and informality of Brazilian culture, the design combines warmth, vibrant tones, and tactile elements to create a space that feels both familiar and full of personality - like an extension of home.

The project involved the transformation of an existing house, reinterpreting its façade to express openness and approachability while aligning with the café’s youthful and colorful branding identity. Design choices such as the use of traditional tiles, handcrafted surfaces, and expressive details contribute to a layered and character-driven environment, where the aesthetic feels both spontaneous and carefully curated.

The outdoor garden becomes a key element of the experience, preserving existing trees and offering a space that softens the urban rhythm. By creating a fluid transition between interior and exterior, the project extends the sense of comfort beyond its walls, reinforcing a more natural and intuitive way of inhabiting space.

In collaboration with Mariana Pesca Arquitetura.

BEND THE PATH - GMT SHOWROOM

Bend the Path is a design concept for the GMT watch boutique showroom in Milan, focused on niche and independent brands. The project strengthens the relationship between customer and product by encouraging a deeper understanding of each piece, including its craftsmanship and brand identity.

The spatial strategy is based on a non-linear sequence of touchpoints, combining visual, tactile, and digital interactions. The layout allows for different levels of engagement, from observation to detailed exploration.

Each area highlights a specific element: GMT’s presence, product display, brand communication, and user interaction. Jewelry and watches are presented together and remain fully visible.

The design preserves existing flooring and linear lighting, ensuring minimal intervention andcontinuity with the store’s identity.

In collaboration with: Salomé Pastiashvili, Romina Martinez
Tutors: Giorgio Grandi and Paolo Belisario

OGNI GOCCIA RACCONTA – EVERY DROP TELLS A STORY

Every Drop Tells a Story is a design project developed for a blood donor association, addressing the challenge of creating a feasible and implementable solution within a real healthcare context. The proposal
introduces storytelling as a tool to bring deeper meaning, empathy, and connection to the donation process,​ transforming it into a more engaging and human-centered experience.

The journey begins with the garden, conceived as the cover of the story - a welcoming and visible space that invites curiosity and offers a glimpse of what lies ahead. Inside, donors follow a clear and intuitive path that balances guidance, community, and wellbeing. Moments of pause are designed to encourage self-care, while storytelling elements highlight the real impact of donation and reinforce its purpose.

The experience concludes with an epilogue - a shared space for reflection and connection, where the journey continues through exchange.

In collaboration with: Gabriela Sanchez Villarreal, Elisa Suyapa Serrano Nuila, Marta Calabrò
Tutors: Giorgio Grandi and Francesca Perani