Leva

Door handles are one of those objects that are often taken for granted and may seem marginal when choosing the components of an architectural or interior design project. A handle can nonetheless take countless shapes and drawing a new one is indeed a challenge. Its apparent simplicity is precisely what turns its creation into a complex task, since it is all about minute details, rules of ergonomics, geometries and decimal calculations. Despite the significant leap in scale, this project was approached with the same care that is applied to the realisation of an architectural structure.

We drew Leva starting from the physical concept of lever, its archetype, which involved the history of science but also philosophy, the arts and the most diverse domains of our lives, from sports to children's games. An essential gesture, applying force on a lever to move an almost microscopic mechanism results in a very meaningful action – including in a figurative sense – opening a door!

Leva's clean, flat front conceals a soft comfy soul. A discreet, functional presence on a door, it carries out its original function with elegance and simplicity. The weight of the handle's brass loses its material quality turning into the lightness of shape of its front. The only concession to decoration is the original combination of satin and glossy surfaces aimed at underlining and embellishing its shape.

A variation of the design features a slight circular depression on the grip, discreetly marking the centre of the lever. Emphasising this detail is a difference in finish on the brass: the flat surface is satin, while the recess is polished.

The Leva handle project is part of the ADI Design Index 2023 selection and received an Honorable Mention at the XXVIII Compasso d'Oro Award.