CACTI

 

“Inspired by the natural elegance of desert cacti”

 

Design: Elena Manferdini

 

GLOSSY TOTEM

 

RIC-07
Base Vase
20 cm H x 27 cm L
Base: Glossy Green
Dots: Orange

 

RIC-08
Center Vase
25 cm H x 22 cm Ø
Base: Glossy Light Blue
Dots: Pink

 

RIC-09
Top Vase
25 cm H x 22 cm Ø
Base: Glossy Orange
Dots: Light Blue

MATT TOTEM

 

RIC-10
Base Vase
20 cm H x 27 cm L
Base: Matte Eggplant
Dots: Pink

 

RIC-11
Center Vase
25 cm H x 22 cm Ø
Base: Matte Petrol Green
Dots: Yellow

 

RIC-12
Top Vase
25 cm H x 22 cm Ø
Base: Matte Pink
Dots: Light Blue

Designer

Elena Manferdini

Elena Manferdini is an Italian architect and designer whose work seamlessly merges creativity with technical precision. With over two decades of experience in architecture, industrial design, and public art, Elena’s design practice, Atelier Manferdini, is based in Venice, California. Her work is known for its vibrant use of color, innovative forms, and meaningful connections to community and place.

Elena can be described as a true global citizen with a deep passion for art, creativity, and innovation. Her contributions to the field have earned her numerous awards and accolades, including the 2016 PAN Award for Best Public Art Project in North America. In 2019 she was honored with the ICON Award, which is a prize that recognizes iconic women who have made an indelible mark on Los Angeles, culture, and society in general through their work, character, and creative leadership.

In addition to her design practice, Elena is a dedicated educator, currently serving as the Graduate Programs Chair at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc). She has also held visiting professor roles at institutions like UC Berkeley, Cornell University, and the University of Pennsylvania. In 2024 the presidentially appointed 12-member Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board has selected Elena Manferdini for a Fulbright Specialist Award to the United Arab Emirates. Elena Manferdini joins the ranks of Fulbright alumni who have gone on to become heads of state, judges, ambassadors, CEOs, Nobel Laureates, and more.

Elena continues to inspire and shape the future of design through her innovative work and commitment to innovation.

Interview

The Project

Inspired by the natural elegance of desert cacti, these three stackable vases evoke the organic beauty found in nature, making them not only vessels but also works of art. The textured surfaces draw upon the quiet resilience of desert flora, embodying the raw, unrefined beauty that arises from the interplay between harsh environments and natural growth. Their forms reflect the adaptability and endurance of plants that thrive in the most challenging conditions.

Available in a range of color options, these vases unlock a world of creative possibilities. Their versatile design allows them to be mixed and matched, offering the freedom to create bespoke arrangements that complement both the unique character of a space and the beauty of different flower displays. The ability to recombine them in countless ways ensures that every composition is unique, providing an opportunity for artistic expression.

CACTI reimagine the age-old surface decoration technique known as “riccio,” an exquisite fusion of geometrical precision and intricate execution honed by Nuove Forme. Rooted in a history that traces back to a region near Florence, Italy, the company employs bespoke pottery manufacturing and distinctive textures to perfect the finishing of their vases.

With each vessel, you invite a piece of the natural world into your home, reminding us of the timeless beauty and resilience that nature offers.