Acclaimed Italian architect, Matteo Thun of Matteo Thun & Partners talks
exclusively to African Design Magazine about the future of architecture and gives
his views on African design.
Photo by Francesca Lotti
Tell us about your background.
I was born and raised in Bolzano, South Tyrol
in Italy. I studied at the Academy of Salzburg
with Oskar Kokoschka and at the University
of Florence (Architecture). Then I met Ettore
Sottsass and Memphis group was founded.
From 1980 to 1984 I became member of
Sottsass Associati. In 1984 I opened my own
office in Milan and was parallel working for
Swatch as Art Director.
How did you get involved in
architecture?
My mother worked with clay and taught me to
create forms at an early state. Later, after my
studies in Florence and then living in Milan,
architects were working on projects ranging
from a small to a large scale. Following the
Milan school: from spoon to city. This has
become the formula of our studio, including
a team of 60 international professionals,
architects, interior, product designers and
grap X