CASA FLORA / NICHETTO® — DESIGN RESIDENCY 2026
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
OPEN CALL — EMERGING DESIGNERS · VENICE, ITALY
Casa Flora x NICHETTO® / Design Residency
· November 25 – December 5, 2026 · Exhibition: December 5
APPLY NOW
Designers aged 21–30 / Product design
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Romanelli Family is pleased to announce a collaboration with NICHETTO®, the creative house founded by Murano-born designer Luca Nichetto, launching a new design residency at Casa Flora in late 2026.
The partnership stems from an encounter during the creation of Casa Flora in 2015, when Luca Nichetto contributed to the project by designing the custom-made sofa that remains a central feature of the house today. This collaboration represents a natural continuation of a shared vision rooted in education, cultural exchange, and a deep engagement with Venice’s extraordinary heritage.
The residency program at Casa Flora offers participants an immersive experience within the unique context of the lagoon city. Through visits to local artisans, mentorship sessions, and a final exhibition, the program provides dedicated time and space for creative research, while fostering meaningful dialogue between the city’s rich tradition of craftsmanship and an international design community seeking space for exploration, research, and innovation.
The open call invites emerging designers with established practices to engage with Venice as a place where timeless traditions become fertile ground for creation — exploring iconic local materials and translating those discoveries into objects designed for contemporary living and modern-day hospitality.
Curated by Luca Nichetto and Gioele Romanelli together with their respective teams, the residency will take place from November 25 to December 5, 2026. The program will culminate in a public exhibition on December 5.
RESIDENCY ENVIRONMENT
Documentation of Casa Flora and Hotel Flora — the accommodation and working environment for the residency. All images courtesy of casafloravenezia.com and hotelflora.it.
Living room — Casa Flora, Venice
Shared kitchen — Casa Flora
Private bedroom — Casa Flora
Courtyard garden — Hotel Flora
NICHETTO®
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Luca Nichetto / NICHETTO®, Venice / Stockholm
NICHETTO® is a creative house working across design, art direction, and editions. Founded by Murano-born designer Luca Nichetto, the studio connects designers, artisans, and industry, developing refined projects for global brands alongside independent editions. Participants will visit the NICHETTO® studio in Marghera and receive direct mentorship from Luca Nichetto throughout the residency.
NICHETTO® — studio documentation
PROGRAM DETAILS
Timeline
Call opens — Jul 17
Call closes — Aug 10
Residency — Nov 25 – Dec 5, 2026
Eligibility
Age — 21–30 years
Discipline — Product design
Nationality — Open to all
Gender — Open to all
Career stage — Emerging, established practice
Included
Private bedroom with en-suite bathroom
Utilities — water, electricity, wifi
Shared kitchen, living, and dining areas
Basic production materials
Mentorship sessions with Luca Nichetto
Visits to Venetian artisan workshops
Visit to NICHETTO® studio, Marghera
Participation in public exhibition, Dec 5
Not included
Travel to and from Venice
Local transport
Meals and subsistence
APPLICATION PROCESS
01 Registration — Register your name and email to activate access to the application form.
02 Application Submission — Submit personal details, CV, portfolio materials, a statement of intent, and a required video introduction before the deadline.
03 Review and Selection — Applications are reviewed by the Casa Flora and NICHETTO® teams; selected candidates are notified.