Davide Tonizzo: Design with Movement, Meaning, and Modern Style

Davide Tonizzo is a multifaceted Canadian designer whose work effortlessly bridges engineering precision and artistic sensitivity. Born in Toronto in 1962, Tonizzo began his creative journey with a passion for cars, earning a degree in mechanical engineering before moving to Italy to pursue automotive design. There, he honed his craft at I.DE.A Institute, collaborating on key projects for top Italian car manufacturers. But it was a visit to Milan that opened a new world—furniture and product design—and a second design career was born.

From Automotive Design to Timeless Home Icons

In 1992, Davide Tonizzo returned to Toronto to launch his own studio, blending the functional rigor of engineering with the emotional appeal of design. His portfolio spans automobiles, home furniture, tableware, packaging, and sustainable mobility concepts. Yet his transition into timepiece design with Progetti revealed a new dimension of his vision. Known for reinterpreting classic forms, he infused new vitality into everyday objects—especially the wall clock and the cuckoo clock.

The Uaigong Collection: Where Culture and Time Collide

One of Tonizzo’s most iconic creations is the Progetti Uaigong clock—a design inspired by East Asian aesthetics and Western minimalism. Its sculptural presence and cross-cultural symbolism elevate it far beyond mere utility. The Progetti Uaigong cuckoo clock takes this vision further, combining tradition with a distinctly modern style. These clocks aren’t just about marking hours—they narrate stories through form, proportion, and cultural references.

Designing Across Borders and Categories

With an international clientele and an ever-expanding portfolio, Davide Tonizzo continues to shape how we experience time, space, and motion. His work with Progetti proves that even a cuckoo clock or a clocks can become a modern sculpture—one that reflects a personal, poetic, and borderless approach to design. Through a lens of precision and creativity, Tonizzo brings meaning to every tick.