Matteo Thun, 2008 image Francesca Lotti

According to Matteo Thun (Bolzano, Italy, 1952) the historical memory and the cultural values which belong to a specific location are an extraordinary heritage, as well as an endless stimulus for architecture. With this in mind, his work displays all the fascination which has sprung from a critical re-interpretation of such context; a context which harmoniously coexists with an endless innovative characteristic. Such a characteristic seeks to enhance environmental sustainability, energy saving, cost control, and production times but without having to give up on refined aesthetic research. Matteo Thun studied at Salzburg Academy with Oscar Kokoschka, and graduated in Florence in 1975 with Adolfo Natalini. In 1978 he moved to Milan where he began working with Ettore Sottsass. In 1981 he co-founded the ‘Gruppo Memphis’ in which he actively worked for the whole of the 1980s. He was also partner of ‘Sottsass Associates’ from 1980 to 1984. He was professor of Design at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna (Hochschule für Angewandte Kunst, Wien) from 1983 to 2000, and in 1984 he set up his own company in Milan. He also worked as Art Director for Swatch from 1990 to 1993.

• Hugo Boss Industries, Coldrerio, Switzerland (CH), 2006; image Frahm
• Hugo Boss Industries, Coldrerio, Switzerland (CH), 2006; image Pietro Bagnara
• Hugo Boss Industries, Coldrerio, Switzerland (CH), 2006; image Frahm
• Vigilius Mountain Resort, Lana, Merano (I), 2003; image Vigilius
• Vigilius Mountain Resort, Lana, Merano (I), 2003; image Thierrymalty
• Vigilius Mountain Resort, Lana, Merano (I), 2003; image Vigilius
• Tortona 37, Milan (I), 2009; image Domenicali
• Tortona 37, Milan (I), 2009; image Domenicali

Matteo Thun & Partners work on projects dealing with architecture and design. The company is composed of a team of international professionals, such as architects, interior designers, product designers, and graphic designers. Never-ending interdisciplinary dialogue has been the key to the success of this ‘big family’ in Via Appiani, Milan. Sustainability – from an economic, environmental and socio-cultural point of view – are all a constant presence in the architectural designs of Matteo Thun & Partners. The company strives to combine contemporary design while dedicating great care to the context, a method which is capable of satisfying both the economic and aesthetic needs of both the present day and the future. ‘Ecotecture’ – the combination of architecture and ecology – is the answer to the challenge of sustainable development. As far as design is concerned, Matteo Thun begins with a methodology of simplification and removal. However, simple, does not mean semantic impoverishment, but elegance, the result of a gradual approach to the essence, to the iconic form. The search for such simplicity and essence is known as ‘ZERO’ Design. The design integrates and complements the architectural projects and the interior designs of Matteo Thun & Partners: a building needs an interior, interiors need objects and objects need a designer.

• Briccole Venezia Table for Riva R1920, 2010; image Riva1920
• Briccole Venezia Table for Riva R1920, 2010; image Riva1920
• Briccole Venezia Table for Riva R1920, 2010; image Riva1920
• Ofurò Bathtub for Rapsel, 2009 design by Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez; image Tiziano Sartori
• The Wooden Beacon, installation at Fuori Salone, Milano, 2010; image Ruy Teixeira

Matteo Thun has won the prestigious design prize, ‘Compasso D’Oro’ for design excellence three times. Many of his creations have also won famous international prizes: his Side Hotel in Hamburg was chosen as ‘Hotel of the Year’ in 2001, the Vigilius Mountain Resort won the ‘Wallpaper Design Award’ in 2004, the Radisson SAS Frankfurt was chosen as the best hotel for the ‘Worldwide Hospitality Awards’ in 2005 and the Hugo Boss Strategic Business Unit in Switzerland won the ‘Prix Acier Construction’ in 2007. The following should be noted as some of his best architectural and interior designs: Hugo Boss Strategic Unit in Coldrerio, Switzerland (2006) and Hugo Boss New Concept Store in New York (2008), Missoni Hotel in Edinburgh (2009); Binderwood Center in Kösching, Germany (2008); Edelweiss Residence, Katschberg (2005-2009); A.T.E.R. Social Houses of Motta di Livenza, Treviso, Italy (2006-2010); the Tortona 37 complex, Milan, Italy (2003-2009); the Vigilius Mountain Resort, Merano (2001-2003), Merano Thermal Spa, Italy. Numerous are the cooperations with the most prestigious international design firms and producers, among which Alessi, Artemide, Catalano, Dornbacht, Driade, Duravit, Flos, Lavazza, Rapsel, Riva 1920, Swarovski, Zucchetti, Zwilling and Illy, for which he designed the famous collection of coffee cups (1990).

Chiara Testoni
Lab MD Material Design
Dipartimento di Architettura, Università di Ferrara

PROMOTORI XFAFX
Università degli Studi di Ferrara
Facoltà di Architettura di Ferrara

SOSTENITORI GENERALI XFAFX
AHEC American Hardwood Export Council
Casalgrande Padana
Il Casone
Lithos Design
Pibamarmi
Giuseppe Rivadossi
Viabizzuno

PATROCINI E COLLABORAZIONI XFAFX
Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali
Regione Emilia Romagna / Provincia di Ferrara
Comune di Ferrara
ADI / SITdA / CNA 
Ordini Architetti, Pianificatori Paesaggisti e Conservatori
Province di Bologna, Ferrara, Forlì-Cesena, Modena, 
Piacenza, Ravenna, Reggio Emilia, Rimini, Rovigo, Verona

PARTNER XFAFX
Fassa Bortolo
Libria
Nardi
Sannini