Basaglia + Rota Nodari

“If there is no one to communicate with, there is no design but instead artistic and creative workmanship. The real strength of a designer is to understand the company for which they are working with and to express their creativity within that particular context.Creativity originates from opportunity. Not vice versa. Otherwise it is not design but tout court creativity, the one that originates spontaneously in any one”.

The pair of architects and designers Alberto Basaglia and Natalia Rota Nodari made their professional debut in 1997, founding the Associated Firm named after them. With the first design project, the “Antennati” collection for the company YDF, in 1999 they won first prize in the Young & Design competition, happily materialising their strong ability to understand the potential of the company with which they work, interpreting its traits in the product.

Many collaborations are still ongoing, and even more projects have been developed. From environmental reclamation and renovation of industrial archaeology buildings, to the creation of display areas+D1030 and environments, up to the adventure in the food design. Winners of the 2007 Good Design Award for the system of modular bookcases called Boox and made by Rexite, Alberto Basaglia and Natalia Rota Nodari have successfully worked in many other areas of architecture and furnishings.

“Seizing the specific energies of the person we are communicating with and finding the way to enhance them through the creation of alternative visions, often complementary to that which is already exists”.

This is what the duo said about themselves in 2013, during the opening of “Alternative Synergies. 15 years of projects for companies”, held in Milan at the Fondazione Achille Castiglioni.
Firmly convinced that the best design comes from working in strict contact with the client, knowing the company that has to actually make the product, Alberto Basaglia and Natalia Rota Nodari have often started working with companies for individual pieces, to then arriving at handling its entire image. In 2016 the S’mesh family chair, designed for Diemmebi, has been selected by ADI Design Index for the “Compasso d’Oro” 2018 award.

“That which applies to design projects also applies to the study of a coordinated image: brand, graphics, communication tools and merchandising. Everything is functional to representing, through an image, the substance of a company”.

Since 2009 they have designed the light collection for Pedrali. They have also designed for Blitz Bovisa, BPA, Caffè Bonomi, De Nardi, Diemmebi, Fermob/Vlaemynck, FAS Pendezza, Filippi 1971, Grand Tour Tino Sana, Il legno dalla natura alle cose, I TRE, Lema, Luxit, Mamà Design Italia, Outlook Design Italia, Progetti, Rexite, Sar Metal, Steiner, Treca Interiors Paris, Viganò Office, YDF.

Awards

1999 YOUNG AND DESIGN – First prize for „Antennati“ YDF

2006 BIENNAL OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN – Ljubljana – Modular system „Boox“, Rexite

2007 GOOD DESIGN AWARD – The Chicago Athenaeum – Modular system „Boox“, Rexite

2009 RAT FÜR FORMGEBUNG – Frankfurt – Modular system „Boox“, Rexite

2016 ADI DESIGN INDEX – „S’mesh“ chair, Diemmebi

2017 TOP DESIGN OF THE YEAR – „S’mesh“ chair, Diemmebi

2018 ICONIC AWARDS – Germany innovative architecture – „Giravolta“ lamp, Pedrali

2018 EUROPEAN PRODUCT DESIGN AWARD – Silver Prize Winner – „Giravolta“ lamp, Pedrali

2018 MUUUZ INTERNATIONAL AWARD – Francia Winner – „Giravolta“ lamp, Pedrali

2019 GOOD DESIGN AWARD – The Chicago Athenaeum – „Busy“ chair, Diemmebi