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.

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.

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 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 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.

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

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.