Leva and Olive

A door handle is an apparently simple element, often taken for granted, yet it embodies a complex design process made of ergonomics, proportions, geometries and attention to the smallest details. Designing a new handle means engaging with an extensive repertoire of possible forms and facing a significant shift in scale: creating a small object with the same care and precision applied to the definition of an architectural project.

From this reflection, Leva was born: a project rooted in the physical concept of the lever, its archetype and its ability to transform a minimal gesture into a meaningful action. The essential shape of the handle interprets this principle through a clean and contemporary design: a sharp, flat front conceals a softer, welcoming core, while the weight of the brass is lightened by the purity of the geometry. The dialogue between satin and polished surfaces enhances the object’s profile and highlights its refined craftsmanship, down to the detail of the circular indentation on the grip, which subtly marks the point of interaction with the hand.

Building on the same research into the relationship between form, function and tactile perception, Olive explores the gesture of opening through a more compact and sculptural volume. Inspired by the tradition of Italian design and the experiments of the 1960s and 1970s, Olive reinterprets a familiar repertoire of forms through a contemporary perspective. Its “imperfect spherical” shape defines a balance between line and surface, creating an object designed to naturally welcome the hand and convey a sense of solidity and precision.

Leva and Olive express a shared attention to everyday objects and to the value of the gestures that activate them. Two discreet yet distinctive elements, where memory and innovation meet through rigorous design and an architectural sensibility. Small design objects that transform an ordinary action, such as opening and closing a door, into a more conscious and meaningful experience.

The Leva project was selected for the ADI Design Index 2023 and received an Honourable Mention at the XXVIII Compasso d’Oro Award.