A world renowned research project that redefines ceramics through its history. In a world saturated by chimaeras of globalisation the Hybrid project is a reflection on how our diverse historical cultures can help us create a common meaningful future. Starting from a collection of tableware reflecting on the traditional production of Chinese and European porcelain and its centuries of cross-fertilisation, the project has grown to encompass more paradigms and cultures projecting the vision of a more conscious hybrid future.

CeramiX Art Collection | 2010
CeramiX is a series of ceramic objects reflecting on the historical production of Chinese and European porcelain and its centuries of cross-fertilisation between Western and Eastern aesthetics. China has a long tradition in the production of ceramics and especially porcelain and Europe has for many centuries tried to copy the Chinese in that field. Nowadays our world is invaded by Chinese products that in most cases attempt to imitate those of Europeans. CeramiX is a reflection upon the irony of history through the world of ceramics. After an initial research in the traditional techniques, methods and evolution of both Chinese and European ceramics, the CTRLZAK team has identified certain key elements that distinguish both cultures. CeramiX Art Collection consists of 24 original pieces derived from classical Chinese and European plates, bowls, vases and cups, reassembled as unusual remixes. These objects were sought for in antique stores and flea markets and some of them even came from personal family collections. The pairing process of the two heterogeneous halves was by no means arbitrary; each piece has a visual narrative which is created through a careful selection of the two parts in such a way that they complement each other, enriching the end result. CeramiX Art Collection was the inspiration for both the Hybrid project, which brings art in everyday life, and the CeramiX Design Collection, which employs contemporary forms to symbolise a complex past.

Hybrid 1.0 | 2011
Inspired by the CeramiX Art project this collection brings art closer to everyday life. Hybrid 1.0 is produced in fine porcelain in China by Italian company Seletti and consists of various tableware. The pieces in the collection are graphically divided between east and west with a coloured line marking the boundary between the two prints and, paradoxically, strengthening at the same time the union.

Hybrid Glass | 2015
Glass was introduced relatively late in China due to the extensive use of ceramic and metal while in Europe the art of glass making flourished, especially during the renaissance period. The European half is denoted by an elaborate glass relief, which changes from piece to piece, representing the main stylistic expressions of glass working in Europe in the last centuries. On the other hand the Chinese parts represent typical decorative themes found on Chinese objects of the kind, although they were usually applied on porcelain.
The pieces in this collection are divided between east and west with the use of a golden line detail, creating a variety of objects that place emphasis on the strengths of each culture, and in turn producing a modern hybrid reality.

Hybrid Textile | 2017
Originating from our research on porcelain and its centuries of cross-fertilisation, we realised that these interactions were a phenomenon expressed in diverse fields of cultural expressions across the world: textile design being one of the most important ones throughout modern history. Starting from rugs, our research since then expanded to cushions and placemats as diverse representations of somebody’s homewares and how people tend to recreate their surroundings through their tradition.

Hybrid World | 2021
The collection examines the shameful history of European colonisation across the globe illustrating the differences and similarities between the ancient cultures that were invaded and the Europeans themselves. The message is the exact opposite of “colonialism”: each culture has the same importance; if colonisation was based on the idea of one culture prevailing on another, Hybrid World wants to make things right by celebrating the uniqueness of each culture while showing the strength of their connection.

The Hybrid World collection transcends geographical and political borders, emphasising the importance of diverse expressions, promoting the creation of a conscious hybrid future based on past knowledge and mutual understanding. The latest pieces of the collection are available at : seletti.it

Hybrid Lamps | 2025
Expanding the Hybrid collection into a new typology of luminous vessels, these three porcelain pendant lamps are shaped by contrast: ornament and restraint, East and West, shadow and glow. Through diverse sculptural silhouettes, each piece filters light through its decorated surfaces, creating soft reflections and a warm, ambient presence that reconciles distant aesthetic languages into a single contemporary glow.

A modular storage system inspired by rhythm and (a)symmetry, designed for the Italian brand MOGG. The pieces are composed of iron rod in burnished or titanium finishing, with glass shelves in bronze or green reflective finish. The simple structure utilises the industrial processing of the cadenced rod, in diverse diameters, according to a rhythmic partition. The essential volume is delineated thanks to the match of straight lines: the rhythm is punctuated by the rods positioned at different intervals on a seemingly rigorous structure within which the books and the inserted objects complete the shape by writing new compositions from time to time. Discover more on : mogg.it

A suspension lighting system inspired by rhythm and (a)symmetry, designed for the Italian brand MOGG. Honoring the archetypal essence of the chandelier, while breaking free from its constraints, this unbound light is inviting you to lose yourself in a rhythm of shadows and reflections. In this dialog of both form and illumination, it stands as a symbol of the untamed, casting a glow that transforms the ordinary. Discover more on : mogg.it

An extensive transformation reimagines the five-star Parga Beach Resort in Epirus, Greece, where Mediterranean materials, traditional textiles and Venetian references weave together a new expression of Parga’s cultural heritage. Moving beyond the idea of a conventional luxury beach resort, the design creates a dialogue between two worlds, inspired by Parga’s rich history as a crossroads of cultures, where Venetian elegance meets the authentic character of Northern Greece.

A bridge between two shores, Venice and Parga
The project reflects the historical ties between Italian and Greek cultures that have shaped Parga over centuries. It interprets the town as a Mediterranean crossroads, where Venetian and Byzantine influences converge, making Parga a place enriched by cultural exchange. The design is articulated through a meticulous, research-based selection of materials and forms that pay homage to regional craftsmanship, extending across the new guest suites, a reimagined pool area, and two distinct dining concepts: Iporia and Lianolia restaurants.

Beachfront Suites
The interiors evoke traditional Greek domestic spaces, envisioned through a contemporary lens. Custom-designed wooden furniture incorporates the diamond motif, a recurring symbol across Mediterranean cultures, while bespoke textiles featuring vernacular patterns were developed in collaboration with a local artisan from Epirus. Greek marble introduces another distinctly regional element, grounding the interiors in a material language rooted in the country’s architectural tradition.
Selected vintage pieces, sourced from local markets, were integrated alongside the custom elements, bringing the character of authentic Greek homes into the resort and creating a sense of familiarity and lived-in memory. Throughout the interiors, railings and metalwork reinterpret the modernist traditions of early twentieth-century Greece, translating their distinctive geometric language into contemporary details.

Pool area and beach club
At the heart of the pool’s composition lies the rhombus—a recurring motif in Mediterranean folklore symbolizing protection and life cycles. Translated into a modern architectural language, the geometry takes the form of a ceramic-tiled amulet, its pattern evoking the woven motifs of traditional Greek rugs. Around the pool, custom-designed parasols evoke the intricate patterns of Venetian damask textiles, introducing another layer of cultural reference. Together, Greek and Venetian references converge around the water, creating a layered dialogue between symbolism, craftsmanship and memory.

Lianolia, fine dining experience
Facing the Ionian Sea, Lianolia is a sophisticated dining space inspired by the architecture of Venetian palazzi and the shared legacy of the olive tree. Here, elements of Venetian noble houses merge with Greek craftsmanship and traditional materials, creating the atmosphere of a contemporary Venetian residence in Greece. Vernacular Greek objects and Venetian motifs are integrated throughout the space, alongside terrazzo flooring and a checkerboard pattern in Greek marble. A custom-designed bar reinterprets local architectural details, while a photographic installation by Thanos Zakopoulos, portraying the centuries-old olive trees of Parga Beach Resort, extends the story of the landscape into the interior.

Iporia, everyday tavern
On the ground floor, right in front of the beach, Iporia (meaning the base of the mountain) celebrates the immediate landscape where the mountains of Epirus meet the water. A more organic and elemental space, its design focuses on mineral textures, liquid surfaces, and geological sedimentations, fostering a raw, deep connection with the surrounding Mediterranean environment.

A long-lasting collaboration that involves exterior/interior design as well as art direction for a resort truly in tune with nature. Inspired by Chalkidiki’s unique ecosystem, where rounded stone volumes and pine trees are in direct contact with the sea, we strived to develop creative solutions that underline nature’s presence and invite visitors to reflect on their relationship with it.

Exterior spaces and treehouse
The typical Mediterranean Pine tree (Pinus Pinea), which is found in the region, was the archetype of the project. Starting from the lower parts of the Pine tree, the roots are translated into various paths leading visitors gradually towards the sea shore and eventually branching inside the sea itself. Going higher up the tree-trunk, one finds the tinder fungus (Fomes fomentarius), an umbrella-shaped fungal species, that inspired us for the new shade coverings of the lounge area. The pine needles themselves become protagonists of the resort functioning as dividers and coverings taking the shape of articulate patterns that evolve in the restaurants, bar and in particular the Treehouse itself. Inside the tree’s branches though, there are also parasitic organisms such as the Pine Processionary (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) whose larvae form silk-like nests and constitute the inspiration for the ‘cocoon’ that wraps around the gourmet restaurant of the Treehouse. A seemingly negative connotation that creates yet a scenic setting hopefully making people reflect on their role within such a context while providing a unique gourmet experience, admiring the sea from within the tree’s embrace. The studio’s intention with the above metaphor and other related elements within the project is to underline, in a symbolic way, the transition of the visitor’s role from parasitic to symbiotic creating a harmonic relationship between humans and nature.

Pier & Suites
From the pathways generated by the roots of the Pine tree, comes the pathway generated for the pier, the final element of the connection between land, beach and sea, a platform floating on the calm marine water. Nature is here at the centre of interior spaces as well. It in fact comes inside the suites through big openings and framed with raw materials creating natural frames. Here, traditional Greek textiles and additional elements representing natural scenes are mixed with contemporary design and furniture. Wallpapers from the Contemporary Murals series.

Beach Houses
In the last 100 years we are witnessing rapid changes in our surrounding environment due to the ever changing climate conditions that we ourselves have accelerated. With sea water levels rising noticeably, coastlines often testify these changes claiming man-made structures that were built precariously. The beach kiosks at ekies resort are a site specific architectural installation that wants to bring attention to the issue utilising an ironic approach which results in a series of structures that seem partially submerged in the sand. The architectural language adopted is a mix of traditional western architecture coupled with elements from the playful style of beach culture.

Canopy
A human-made canopy imitating that of a forest and its layers, in a sequencing of horizontal overlays that symbiotically completes its natural surroundings, in order to create spaces of both light and shade. The emergent and forest layers are made of all existing tall pine and palm trees, the understory layers are a hybrid of medium-sized trees and roofed sections where the light gets filtered through multiple sheets until they reach the forest floor, composed of low plants and small trees, which live protected under the numerous covers.

Common areas
The outdoor section called for a unique design that harmonises with its stunning natural surroundings. For this concept, we envisioned an XXXL terrazzo-inspired flooring made of oversized irregularly-shaped marble slabs set into concrete that joins all the outdoor areas into a concept both cohesive and visually striking. Custom-made pebble sofas allow the space to flow organically in and around its environment, while creating various areas of privacy.

Interior, furniture & lighting design, art direction : CTRLZAK Art & Design Studio
Construction and project supervision : Thimios Apostolakis, KMP engineering
Architectural design : Agarch + Architects
Landscape design : Fytron O.E. (Michalis Petsaggourakis)
Photos : Vangelis Somarakis, Nikos Vavdinoudis & Christos Dimitriou, Anima – Vision / Nick Kontostavlakis
Discover more on : ekies.gr

Literally meaning “sunlight filtering through trees,” Komorebi captures more than just the beauty of a forest. It expresses a deep sense of connection and belonging between humans and nature—a quiet reminder that we are part of the natural world, not separate from it. The new Bubo restaurant underlines the importance of this relationship, unveiling the hidden nature of pine trees by interpreting their structure and activity—from how sunlight is filtered by their needles to the microscopic processes that make these giant organisms so essential to the surrounding ecosystem.

Komorebi
The interior evokes the immersive feeling of being in a forest, from the slanted columns that mimic tree trunks supporting the roof to the weathered, perforated metal ceiling panels that symbolize the vascular system of a pine. This ceiling creates a dialogue with the surrounding pine trees while concealing the ventilation and lighting systems that mimics the natural interplay of light and shadow filtering through a forest canopy, blurring the line between architecture and nature. CTRLZAK collaborated with Reflect Lights studio in order to design the lighting solutions. Going beyond just a description of light, komorebi also conveys a sense of tranquility and beauty through an immersion into the natural world. Custom-designed furniture—including dining tables, sofas, space dividers, and curtains—further reinforce the restaurant’s concept, creating a cohesive and immersive experience.

Natural materials
The restaurant’s atmosphere is enriched by its exploration of the regional landscape, expressed through the use of earthen finishes and locally sourced marble. This connection is especially evident on the restaurant floor, where two types of marble transition in a soft yet random gradient toward the beach. The same materials extend into the bathroom and outdoor spaces, grounding the design in its natural environment. The cave-like bathroom serves as a natural temple, signifying the origin of water from the mountain, and also as a bridge between interior and exterior. It features a spring-like installation that emerges from a rock and guides water through the wall to a fountain outside the building, inspired by mountain waterways. In the beach area, a large-scale wall mural and bespoke furniture evoke the transformation of the land, drawing on natural processes—such as geological stratification—to reflect the ongoing evolution of the landscape. Together, these elements create an immersive environment where architecture and nature are seamlessly intertwined.

Bathroom
The bathroom design is rooted in a harmonious blend of meditative austerity and natural tranquillity. Like a sanctuary of relaxation, it features multiple arches informed by traditional Greek culture, and a massive stone, focal point of the space, from which a stream emerges and where the water flows until outside. These stone and fountain elements are opposing the earth-textured walls, the marble slab encased in concrete on the floor, the various rusted steel elements and the infinite mirrors that surround the space, creating a contemporary temple for reflection between nature and artifice.

Interior design, furniture & art direction : CTRLZAK Art & Design Studio
Construction and project supervision : Thimios Apostolakis, Ioannis Kostoulas
Lighting design : Reflect Lights
Photos : CTRLZAK, Elias Joidos
Discover more on : ekies.gr

Under CTRLZAK’s direction, the brand explores the Mediterranean not simply as a place, but as a layered condition — geological, historical and symbolic. From rocky coastlines and sun-bleached landscapes to archetypes shaped by centuries of exchange, the Mediterranean emerges as a living archive of forms and meanings.

A series of objects designed for Urbi et Orbi and developed within the Art Direction we conceived for the brand. Each piece responds to the conceptual framework guiding the collection: the exploration of the Mediterranean through both its geological and cultural landscape. The fragments emerge from the stratification of materials, histories, and influences that have accumulated over time across the Mediterranean basin. The collection reflects this overlapping of natural processes and human narratives, translating it into a set of contemporary artifacts.

The Legante tables are crafted from cast concrete, combined with pieces of materials sourced from the remnants of a nearby marble workshop and a traditional ceramic studio, adding an extra dimension of sustainability to their dynamic inspiration. This fusion creates a contemporary terrazzo, reflecting the diverse cultural mosaic of the Mediterranean basin. People sailing across its waters exchanged goods and knowledge, leaving traces of their passing, lifestyles, and constructions, building cities with local stones, terracotta bricks, and tiles. Discover more on : urbietorbi.gr

Relia collection is a duo of sculptural washbasins, where each piece is a contemporary reinterpretation of classic forms, blending clean geometry with refined detailing. Their elegant lines and architectural presence create a sense of quiet luxury in any environment — from minimalist interiors to eclectic or softly traditional spaces.

The erosion shower tray features distinctive grooves shaped as if naturally carved by water over time, allowing it to flow smoothly without accumulating. The surface also incorporates stone-like elements that reinforce the natural reference to eroded soil, staying true to the original design concept.

A collection of geologically informed everyday items, cast in concrete and characterised by earthen tones. Stratification is the overlapping of various mineral compositions, where the upper layers are younger than the ones under them, showing the passing of time in stacks of diverse deposits. The Mediterranean basin is home to a multitude of diverse geological phenomena, with a rich story of sedimentation, erosion, and strong volcanic activity, all of which contribute to make a unique stratified environment. This concept makes us reflect on our conception of time through the geological spectrum in the Mediterranean and our planet as a whole. You can find stools and tables in the exterior design project for Ekies Resort’s Bubo Restaurant. Discover more on : urbietorbi.gr

The Museum of Modern Greek Culture (MNEP), located in the historic center of Athens, commissioned our studio to conceive and develop a series of objects and architectural interventions for its entrance area, ticket counter, and custom furniture. In dialogue with the museum’s narrative, these interventions invite visitors to explore the living legacy of Greek craft and tradition through a contemporary lens.

Entrance & Ticket Counter
The museum entrance and ticket counter were reimagined as a layered spatial experience, drawing inspiration from both domestic interiors and religious spaces. A solid wooden base forms the counter, while brass arches rise above, framing the interaction between visitors and staff and creating a subtle dialogue with the large-scale mural behind. This counter acts as a contemporary abstract iconostasis, a threshold that separates and guides visitors while inviting reflection on the layered identity of the museum and the culture it represents. The combination of wood and brass highlights both functional and symbolic qualities: wood evokes the warmth of intimate interiors, while the brass arches suggest both a gateway to a new journey and a restrained frame for the artwork behind it. Behind the counter, Thanos Zakopoulos’ mural depicts Greek architecture through overlapping layers and a stratification of styles, reinforcing the dialogue between past and present. Visit thanoszakopoulos.com for more.

Traditional furniture revised
Alongside the entrance redesign, CTRLZAK developed a series of objects to make the museum experience more authentic and engaging. Working with local artisans, the studio created seating and tables that reflect traditions deeply rooted in Greek culture, reinterpreted in a contemporary context.

The Samari stools and benches take inspiration from the traditional donkey saddle. Upholstered in handwoven flokati wool — a pastoral textile central to Greek craft — these pieces carry material memory and tactile heritage. By transforming humble, everyday objects into functional furniture, the stools invite visitors to engage with the museum in an intimate and authentic way.

The Sini coffee tables were inspired by the traditional communal servingtray, historically used within Greek homes. Crafted by local artisans using traditional techniques and decorative motifs, the tables highlight the enduringcraft of Greek metalworking. Together, the tables and seating not only providecomfort but act as instruments of the museum’s narrative, creating a space wherememory, craft, and contemporary design converge.

An ongoing research redefining the concept of wallpapers through artistic murals. The mural is the oldest painting technique, because walls were the first painting surface that humans worked on. In the contemporary era, mural art finds in wallpapers a partner: both of them stand on walls and both of them need water and paint to take shape. Having this in mind we developed wallpapers that take over the role of old murals, becoming site specific artworks accessible to many. For each wallpaper, we have carried out profound research playing with the perception of internal/external space, proposing artworks that invite people to reflect in their daily lives. All the wallpapers are manufactured by the Italian company Wall&decò. Find the “Medusae” contemporary wallpaper on Ekies’ Resort suites and discover more on : wallanddeco.com

A creative journey where we orchestrated an eclectic brand since its inception, expanding into a multitude of expressions. From alternative design objects, futuristic exhibitions, theatrical performances, artistic events and numerous collaborations, our art direction for JCP Universe has been an innovative space where culture meets commerce. A fusion between art and design, the brand’s creations blend classic and contemporary style in a surprising new idiom that defies the norms. The unique objects featured go beyond mere aesthetics, trends and common taste promising to transform everyday life. JCP is an imaginative universe that transforms our normality by encouraging us to reflect on our own way of life, here on planet Earth. Discover more on the Artifacts and the Art Direction of the brand on : jcpuniverse.com

A selection of the pieces that we designed throughout the years during our collaboration with JCP Universe. The archetypal forms of the pieces and the careful selection of their components reflect the aeons of cosmic transformation that gave life to everything we perceive. The focus is placed upon the mutable essence of nature, merging innovation with tradition in a new genre of objects that become vehicles of imagination for us to reflect and interpret our way of life in this precise moment of space-time, here on planet Earth. Discover more on the Artifacts and Art Direction also on : jcpuniverse.com

A research project on the issue of species extinction and the loss of biodiversity caused by humans. Extinction by definition is the end of an organism or of a group of organisms (taxon), normally a species. Most great extinction events in the past are caused by ’normal’ evolutionary dynamics (glaciations, volcanic eruptions and other unpredictable natural events such as the collision of an asteroid) but the long course of extinctions is increasing in a frenetic rhythm not related to any past events. In the last centuries especially the phenomenon of extinction is inversely proportional to anthropogenic action (for example: deforestation, territories’ conversion in agricultural or farming areas, urbanisation, pollution, introduction of non-native species, the continuous rise of global temperature, etc.). Discover more about our research here.

The art direction of a second-hand market that invites people to look at things with a new perspective in order to give them a second life, supporting awareness of environmental protection and embracing an eco-friendly lifestyle. The market days also host a variety of meetings, exhibitions and performances where diverse people will present their alternatives relating to a less impactful lifestyle and workshops related to sustainability. Discover more on other Art Direction projects, and Remira Market on : remiramarket.com

Special events
In an era in which human beings finally seem aware of the impact they have on the world that surrounds them, reducing waste to zero (or close) becomes a priority in all areas of life. We strongly believe in the importance of cultivating both an inclusive and aware community. Remira CLAB collects experiences, people and content with the aim of investigating environmental and social issues. We encourage everyone to participate, by reservation, to all the lectures and workshops, held by experts, artisans and change-makers.

A series of carpets that explores a variety of themes connecting humans with their domestic and natural environment. Forcing a change of perspective, our creations for YO2 invite people to reflect on what is hidden in plain sight. Discover more on : yo2.io

The direction of a creative lab, aiming to create points of reflection through projects in the dream sphere for an increasingly conscious culture of living. Starting from ONIRO Group’s identity, ONIRO Lab’s aim is to investigate the multiple facets of the world of dreams through different disciplines, starting from the current psychological/cognitive research but also its expressions in the creative world (literature, visual arts, cinema, etc). Discover more on : onirogroup.it

The creation and development of a jewellery brand that focuses on the art of silversmithing, merging tradition with innovation. Born in the city of Ioannina (Greece), the new brand Granes focuses on the bespoke craft of silver pieces combining traditional techniques like casting, forging, carving and filigree with new digital technologies. Silversmithing is an art that has never ceased to thrive in Greece – from antiquity to the present day – and Granes proposes a new philosophy of making silver art. The endeavour has a strong historical reference, especially on the long tradition of Ioannina (a Northern city, capital of the Epirus region) on the subject known for its articulate forms and crafting methods. In the first collections – Haimalia, Tepelikia and Yordania – details and elements of traditional artifacts are extrapolated and reinterpreted in simple yet contemporary forms highlighting the mix between history & innovation. Three different approaches, all united by their clear reference to Greek traditional jewellery coupled with the use of innovative technologies. Discover more on : granes.eu

The art direction of a brand where cannabis acts a symbol of an alternative approach to life. Nowadays we finally understand that our actions influence everything around us and that we need a new sustainable lifestyle that is slower and more conscious. A lifestyle connected to nature on more than one level. Erba del Chianti is a brand that promotes exactly this lifestyle having as a paradigm the prodigious plant of Cannabis. A plant both practical and spiritual that can accommodate many of our needs and the cultivation of which does not weigh heavily on the planet. Erba del Chianti is a synonym to Cannabis Renaissance, a new movement that aims to put back Cannabis at the centre of our lives both as a material and as a spiritual guide of a more conscious and sustainable lifestyle. Rurality is the New Luxury. Discover more on : erbadelchianti.it

A novel pain treatment centre located in the city of Ioannina, in the north of Greece. The centre’s approach, under the guidance of Dr Patty Gatziani, Algiatrist and specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation, aims to comfort and manage pain, placing focus on educating patients to acquire body awareness and improve their lifestyle.

For this special project CTRLZAK was asked to come up with a solution that would make patients feel at home. Working in this direction the industrial character of the building was transformed in a contemporary loft-like dwelling separated by mobile walls of thick curtains. Re-Live is a special place created with human awareness at its’ core reflecting a concept that goes beyond symptomatic treatment and becomes a learning space that can treat the body and comfort the mind.

A book exploring CTRLZAK Studio’s work from its inception in 2009 until 2017. The selection of projects and related material takes the reader on an creative journey from humanity’s diverse cultural pasts, to contemporary society’s ironic present while proposing a future of a conscious world that realises its place within the cosmos.

With critical essays by : M. Arapoglou, C. Morozzi & A. Zanchetta
Book design : Susami Creative Agency
Get the book : Form Follows Meaning

Discover more on the ongoing studio research.

An art installation about water created in collaboration with JCP Universe, for the Design on Water exhibition by Luisa via Roma, on the river Arno. The installation enhances the essence and the importance of water in its multiple forms. The visitor becomes involved using all his senses in an experiential journey of transparencies and reflections. To look, listen and taste water are some of the implemented actions in Waterness; a path of conscience and personal reflection on the value of water and our direct relationship with this element. The installation consists of large mirror slabs that symbolically recreate Arno’s surface. On them are positioned “Dolmlod“- a piece designed by CTRLZAK studio for JCP Universe – along with a multitude of glass containers of different sizes. Through an infusion process the containers are filled with water, drop by drop, forming a symbiotic connection between symbolism and substance.

We created especially for this project, a collection of glasses named Level. The glasses, having the same shape and size, differ in the filled quantity of water, creating a layering of shapes and volumes that highlight not the form but the content. The installation is completed through an action of water tasting, using samples from different countries where there are issues related to water. The aim is to create awareness around these issues in the historical moment that we live in. Drinking water is a limited resource essential to life, but still in many countries there is contaminated water that causes diseases, infections and ultimately deaths. Waterness is an invitation to reflect and to underline everybody’s responsibility towards the greatest gift this planet has to offer: water.

A project that explores the microorganisms found in food and water but that are normally invisible to the naked eye. The project is based on the enlarged representation of certain radiolarians and mycetes that were carefully selected and arranged in order to be printed on fabric. The patterns created for aprons, kitchen towels, tablecloths and napkins are thus inspired by the micro-ecosystem that we live with every day. At the same time the arrangements of the compositions evoke traditional floral designs that could be found in similar items of old. Each design is meticulously printed in Prato, Italy by master craftsmen on linen-blend fabric. See other projects on the Invisible and discover more on : pamono.eu

A piece of artistic design that is as iconic as it is ironic. Since ancient times people have come up with ways to safekeep their most precious possessions. Centuries ago in Greece and Rome, Egypt and even China containers with intricate mechanisms were devised all with one purpose: safeguard their content. Safes and vaults are still used nowadays and are now more intricate and complex than ever, even though the basic concept is still unchanged.

Our research on the subject took the object’s concept a step further questioning the actual role of a safe. Protection of valuables is an important issue but what is valuable and what is not is something that is decided by the people who place it inside a safe. The Precious project puts in evidence the valuable contents for everyone to see creating containers that are as valuable as the objects ‘hidden’ within them. It is up to the owner to decide what he wants to hide in plain sight. Discover more on : editionsmilano.com

An exhibition examining various scenarios of a ’hybrid future’, stemming from the studio’s research on cross-cultural contamination. Starting from the history of porcelain and moving on to the world of textiles the various projects undertaken focused primarily on two ancient cultures: the European and the Chinese. A selection of this body of work was presented at Spaziootto a Sino-Italian space in Milan between December 2014 and January 2015. The exhibition, curated by Federica Sala, presented a visual narrative that proposed examples of artworks and objects that transcend national boundaries projecting them to a future world evermore unified and mixed. The aim is to reflect upon this future possibility respecting past individual cultures while creating new hybrid paradigms instead of chimaeras of globalisation.

CeramiX Art Collection
CeramiX is a series of ceramic objects reflecting on the historical production of Chinese and European porcelain and its centuries of cross-fertilisation between Western and Eastern aesthetics. China has a long tradition in the production of ceramics and especially porcelain and Europe has for many centuries tried to copy the Chinese in that field. Nowadays our world is invaded by Chinese products that in most cases attempt to imitate those of Europeans. CeramiX is a reflection upon the irony of history through the world of ceramics. After an initial research in the traditional techniques, methods and evolution of both Chinese and European ceramics, the CTRLZAK team has identified certain key elements that distinguish both cultures. CeramiX Art Collection consists of 24 original pieces derived from classical Chinese and European plates, bowls, vases and cups, reassembled as unusual remixes. These objects were sought for in antique stores and flea markets and some of them even came from personal family collections. The pairing process of the two heterogeneous halves was by no means arbitrary; each piece has a visual narrative which is created through a careful selection of the two parts in such a way that they complement each other, enriching the end result. CeramiX Art Collection was the inspiration for the Hybrid project, which brings art in everyday life. Discover more about our hybrid research here.

A contemplative piece that crystallises the perception of time. Time is something that cannot be seen, cannot be touched, smelled or be tasted. How is it then that we can visualise this vague concept within the physical space that we perceive with our senses? Hegel in the first section of his book “The Philosophy of Nature” (§257) says: “Space ‘is’ time, that is time is the ‘truth’ of space”. In other words time gives life to space as it manifests its existence through space. One of the core characteristics of time is its irreversibility. This attribute of time can easily be perceived through the element of movement. Whenever we perceive movement the concept of time is embedded within our understanding and is sufficient proof of the fact that a certain period of time has passed. Sand clocks were among the first instruments that man devised to visually perceive and measure time.

Timeless utilises the properties of traditional materials in reviewing this nearly forgotten object. The main body is made of mouth-blown borosilicate glass, respecting the traditional manufacturing techniques, providing the transparency and resistance that other solid materials lack thanks to its amorphous molecular properties. Inside the glass vial though instead of sand are found refined iron fillings that trickle from one compartment to the other, revealing the passage of time not only through their movement but also through the creation of a small spatial crystalline structure. The base and supporting elements are made of brass, a metal that is traditionally used for scientific instruments and precision machinery. Furthermore its low magnetic permeability allows the magnet hidden in its base to interact unhindered with the iron fillings contained within the main glass body. Time is thus doubly revealed to the observer not only through perpetual movement but also through the properties of the materials that contain its visualisation. Find other contemplative objects on JCP Artifacts and discover more on : secondome.it

A space dedicated to the world of tango. Femme Fanatique’s shoes are designed with passion and are entirely handmade by specialised artisans. The design presents these exact elements, interpreting the essence and the posture of the dance while emphasising at the same time the process and the quality of the product. Technique and improvisation, discipline and creativity are the elements that within the space of an embrace form the true nature of tango. As in a milonga, the project positions in space the various elements that embrace the visitor within the store. The specially designed display wall that functions as the main exhibition area for the creations of Femme Fanatique is not static but permits instead a multitude of diverse arrangements as it happens in tango where nothing is predetermined but instead is created through the tempo and the rhythm of the music. Discover more on : femmefanatique.com

In tango the movement of the whole body is important starting from the feet themselves while placing emphasis on the main axis of the body which becomes a connecting link through the couple’s embrace. This is represented by a central installation where the shoes follow the basic steps of the dance encased under protective glass domes underneath weighted lines that indicate the precious creations. The suspended lines become the ‘fil rouge’ that symbolises the common axis that a tango couple should have, a unique balance that makes reference to the body’s correct posture within space.

Design, art direction, interior, furniture & lighting design : CTRLZAK Art & Design Studio
Graphic design and brand identity : Somethink
Construction and project supervision : Thimios Apostolakis
Photography : Dimitris Poupalos

The VUELVO collection designed for Femme Fanatique is inspired by the shapes traced on the floor while dancing. Invisible signs left by the movement of the body. The sinuous curves, the pauses, the dragged steps are thus translated into a visible geometry that is embodied in the character of the shoe.

A carpet collection merging European with Tibetan rug traditions. Known for its hybrid modus operandi, CTRLZAK studio has been invited by carpet producer cc-tapis to work on a collection that reflects traditional values, recomposing them in contemporary forms. The result of this collaboration is the collection of three carpets Cross(me)Knot, one piece of which was initially presented at Maison & Objet and Domotex, where it won the Best Innovation award. The collection enhances the company’s philosophy by merging traditional processes with current cultural issues. Cross(me)Knot combines Tibetan and Nepalese designs (where cc-tapis’ pieces are made) with typical European motifs. Following a meticulous research related to carpet weaving techniques in both cultures and their co-respective designs, CTRLZAK’s collection of hybrid carpets unites traditions, both visually and technically, forming new unique pieces.

Cross(me)Knot conveys symbolically a future reality able to surpass geographical borders, based on the lessons of the past. Typical European motifs like those of the Savonnerie carpets or others of English origin merge with images of Tibetan tradition where the representation of tiger pelts holds a prominent role. The results are unexpected designs which form a single entity reconfirming the birth of a new hybrid culture. Technically wise the Tibetan part is weaved utilising the traditional Tibetan knot maintaining a certain thickness which is lost on the European part that is thinner but more detailed. The result is a unique piece which embodies diverse weaving techniques created on the same loom frame. Read more about our research on Hybrid Culture and discover more on : cc-tapis.com

A project that focuses on the historical chair archetypes between Europe and China. An interesting example of parallel design history is found between the Rocchetto style European chair and the Deng gua (Lamp hanger) Chinese chair. Both chairs have existed for centuries and were used initially by the rich as general use chairs, ending up eventually in common people’s houses where they can still be found nowadays.

A concept store located in the island of Mykonos which brings together historical replicas from various Greek archaeological museums. CTRLZAK studio is responsible for the entire design concept, which can be broken down to three main axes: stratification, excavation sites and museological representation. These themes were approached in different ways independently and then grouped together through the use of materials/colours and lighting. The central display area consists of white asymmetric volumes inspired by the fragmented stone slabs found on archaeological sites that become simple display units for the largest part of the exhibits. The pavement reflects the defined area of the site — depicted by Pentelikon Greek marble — and the habitual peripheral pathways (created by wooden planks of diverse measurements) that cover the remaining part of the space.

The main back-wall area becomes a large stratified display installation where the primary materials used are represented: marble, brass and olive wood. Finally the brass lighting elements designed by CTRLZAK exclusively for this project were arranged in space based on the grid concept that is followed in excavation sites in order to divide the archaeological space in defined research areas emphasising thus the importance of each item exhibited. The whole project was supported by a meticulous graphic design study developed in collaboration with Athens based studio Sereal designers in accordance with the general design concept.

Monumentale is a collection inspired by Italian architectural heritage. The collection aims to promote cultural knowledge and the familiarisation with Italian heritage around the table through a series of different designs. Each object is characterised by a particular pattern corresponding to different floor plans and elevations of buildings selected for their historical value and location in the Italian territory. The collection has won the first prize awarded by the Italian Ministry of culture (MIBAC) in the context of the DAB design contest for art shops and bookshops.

Monumentale is a porcelain and glass collection which consists of 5 dinner plates, 5 fruit plates, 5 underplates, 5 soup plates, 2 glasses and 3 vases. The pieces in the collection are available in gold or silver pattern. Find this and other related projects on : pamono.eu

A project of symbolic design about the ephemeral nature of mass produced objects. The culinary act, seen as an occasion of encounter, has been the first form of ritual: a pagan customary practice that has transcended to what is known as the Christian sacrament of the Eucharist. “Take and eat, this is my body; I am the bread of life, he who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” According to Christian tradition transubstantiation is the physical transformation of bread and wine to Jesus Christ’s body and blood. A laid out table with tableware created from church host (sacramental bread) is the transfiguration of Jesus’ body in objects, in an ethereal personalization and veneration of the product. A comment on mass consumerism and the lack of values through the profanation of the host as a food substance, bringing it thus back to a worldly level.

In a contemporary historic moment of ideological, political and religious crisis Transubstantia Paganus is a mirror that allows the comparison between the spectator and the metaphorical meaning of the work; we are all part of the process, victims and executioners of the decadence in every field of contemporary life: religion, politics, society and the environment. The objects composing the banquet reflect the condition of fragility and emptiness, celebrating the return to a process where symbolism is stronger than morphology, denying the object’s own substance which is lost in primordial and fragile forms. Discover other tableware projects on CeramiX and Monumentale.

An eclectic armchair project inspired by nature’s geometry. Quartz is a system that couples two-dimensional pentagonal and hexagonal wooden structures, which develop in three dimensions following natural crystalloid formations. The geometric volumes are covered with ecological fabrics in mixed colour variations producing an end result that resembles more a wild microhabitat than an armchair. The Quartz armchair is produced by Italian company D3CO. Discover more on : d3co.it

An exhibition specifically conceived for the space of the Moroni mansion in Bergamo old town with the scope of discovering and reliving it through a multitude of viewpoints. The Hybrid porcelain collection, the CeramiX Art collection, the fabrics of the Flagmented project and a sound installation designed specifically for the occasion interact with the traditional furnishings and objects already present in the space. Within the halls of the palace the artworks of the CeramiX Art collection mingle with the existing porcelain sculptures while the Hybrid bone china collection is displayed alongside the chinaware used in the mansion in past centuries. Everything is laid out in the various tables around the rooms expecting guests of another era or so it seems… The visitor thinks at first glance that all is as it should be but then gradually discovers the contemporary pieces which make reference to the existing porcelain pieces alongside them. The visitor is thus accompanied on a journey that makes him seek and discover among the objects of the past, “new” souvenirs of a hybrid world. Discover more on : dimoredesign.it

Sound Installation
The sound installation created for the occasion is located in the ballroom at the centre of the mansion. The visitors on their guided tour pass first from one side of the room, where classical waltz music is heard, while entering the room from the other side they listen to pieces of traditional Chinese music. Concluding their tour they find themselves in the centre of the ballroom where the two kinds of music mingle together in a new hybrid one.

The Flagmented Banners
Symbols of a new hybrid culture built on past legacies, the banners greet visitors in the arcade entrance and weave an invisible thread with the history of the Moroni family that played an important role in the supply of raw materials (mainly silk) for the textile industry. Discover more on the Flagmented artworks here.

A research project on the textile traditions of Europe and China, resulting in a series of artworks which integrate traditional fabrics from both cultures. The project represents a possible future able to surpass normal cultural borders and expressions. Classical European embroidery and Toile de Jouy are coupled with traditional Chinese fabrics forming unique pieces that stitch together the two diverse realities. The unexpected results mark a new era of globalisation becoming the flags of a new hybrid culture. Find other projects related on textile traditions and discover more on : pamono.eu

Two furniture pieces inspired by a symbolic buddhist tradition. On a mountain near a Buddhist temple Thanos & Katia discovered a peculiar practice: tiny sticks placed underneath massive boulders, appearing to support them but too small to bear the stone’s weight. Three years later this has been the inspiration for CTRLZAK’s D\Zen project, in which this meeting of great weight and delicacy takes the form of two different pieces of furniture. In the past it is probable that these sticks were placed beneath the stones by monks and had sutras carved on them. The exact original meaning of this folk tradition is unclear, although it could be the expression of a request, a vow, or a testimony. Although the different forms of Buddhism have diverse practices, this specific one is unusual. It is certainly a gesture within the Zen spirit, which has been the foundation of this project’s creative process. It also followed Zen principles of slow and fast, movement and stillness, transformation and balance; above all an open process with open results which aims to be nothing more than what it is. Discover more on : artemest.com

D\ZEN´s balanced volumes are inspired by a rare combination of nature and man’s respectful intervention. They are archetypal forms that sustain objects and people, imperfect forms in perfect balance. Throughout the long development process the importance was placed in conveying the essence of nature and the balance of things. The stick is man’s little touch, which supports nature but reminds us that everything is temporary.

A series of ceramic objects designed alongside the CeramiX Art collection as a self-produced project. The set comprises a plate, a bowl and a cup all in white glazed ceramic. This collection underlines some of the formal characteristics identified during the initial research of cross-fertilisation between Western and Eastern aesthetics, and applies them within the design process. The result is a series of ceramic tableware which employs contemporary forms to symbolise a complex past.

Ceramix for Bitossi | 2013
Made after the self-produced Art and Design collections, this series was produced and distributed by Italian company Bitossi. The pieces underline some of the formal characteristics identified during the initial research which are applied within the design process. The result is a series of tableware which employs minimal and contemporary forms referencing a more intricate past.

A new approach to the concept of optic stores. Designed in such a way as to meet the demands of the contemporary market, while setting the framework for new trends. Everything works in unison to create a seamless result full of connotations and hidden meanings while providing good functional solutions : specialised furniture, custom-made display areas, stainless steel mesh structures to complement accessories. The result is a radical yet simple solution that facilitates the movement of the visitors within the space, while showcasing the products comfortably.

Space
Two large volumes were created on either sides of the central area: a six-metre glossy-black cabinet filled with specially designed hidden drawers and a polished stainless steel arc in which the glasses are nested. Main emphasis was also placed in lighting & viewing conditions. The viewing process is underlined by a large six-metre mirror that covers the main part of the wall where the drawers’ cabinet is placed.

Lighting
The whole ceiling on the main floor is covered by a white membrane which produces uniform lighting (close to daylight colour temperature) that alternates depending on the natural light conditions. Specialised regulated lighting is also used in the exposition areas, in a warmer hue in order to place emphasis on the items presented.

A series of items inspired by the medical world reflecting upon the symbolic and functional issues of objects. Users are invited to coexist with atypical pieces that one would find difficult to accept in everyday life, undoubtedly disassociated from the usual concept of well-being. Tables, chairs and lamps are ‘afflicted’ with diverse pathologies; an ironic operation which goes beyond the aesthetics of the products and refers to the ephemeral conditions of human life. Discover more on : pamono.eu