Mondi Connessi and Brera Design Apartment: an interview with the Zanellato/Bortotto studio

In reference to the theme of Fuorisalone 2025, the boundaries between worlds form the foundation of the "Orizzonti" concept developed by the two designers for Brera Design Apartment, blending literary visions, archival photographs, and works of art. The word "horizon" derived from the Greek "circle that delimits," refers to the line separating the earth from the sky. Throughout history, this line has been interpreted in many ways, symbolizing the connection between the human and the divine, space, and the infinite—the point of intersection between the tangible and the unknown. Visually, the horizon is the symbolic space where the sun rises and sets, and as such, it became one of the first reference points for orientation during travels in search of the world. It has also served as a source of inspiration for artists, who have made it the subject of their work. "Mondi Connessi" is the theme for Fuorisalone 2025: the horizon becomes both a point of reflection and an invitation to explore what lies beyond a boundary, to connect with other worlds and dimensions. The project, which sees the Zanellato/Bortotto studio reimagine the spaces of Brera Design Apartment, is a journey where literary visions, photographs, notes, and works of art become materials for research and experimentation. The pages of this visual diary trace each surface of the apartment, turning every room into part of a journey that spans distant places and experiences in both space and time.

Giorgia and Daniele: A Few Words About You.

We are friends, and over time, we've discovered a strong project and creative affinity. We've been bringing design, surface, and interior projects to life for 12 years now. We also share many passions and a deep need to explore unknown territories. This is why we are overseeing the creative direction for several exciting companies such as Bolzan, Botteganove, and Delsavio 1910. Our challenge for the future is to maintain the consistency we've pursued so far, while continuing to uncover interesting stories to tell and reinterpret through our projects.


Photo courtesy of Saba Italia

Orizzonti is a manifesto, a poem, and a vision that becomes a place. How did your concept come to life, and how did the idea evolve, considering the many connected worlds you navigate every day through your work?

When you invited us to rethink the interiors of Brera Design Apartment, we asked ourselves how we could tell something about us on the walls of this house. We did so by retracing a journey made up of different stages, stories of places both near and far, and distinct from one another. "Mondi Connessi" then refers to our experience, where the horizon becomes, at different times, a portal between an Italian rural landscape and an African desert. Through creativity and imagination, there is no real distance between horizons faded by the "caigo" of Venice or the vapor from Etna's ashes.

The horizon as a way to orient oneself, to delimit and connect. But it is also the horizon that appeals to the eye of the one who looks beyond—this is a rule for every designer: what does the horizon represent for you in the daily challenges of the many projects you face?

The horizon represents the challenge in life, as well as in work, of not settling for certain answers, of not being content with one's own security. In a sense, the horizon we envision offers little delimitation and disorients, prompting questions and pushing us to change the rules of the game. The challenge for us is to constantly play with the balances that govern working as a duo, where differing ideas and visions stimulate an ongoing debate.


Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of BottegaNove on the left, on the right Bolzan

From image to form: how do you construct the spaces of an apartment that serve as a manifesto of a story, of visions and materials that are diverse from each other?

We started as product designers and have a particular interest in all forms of surface research. "Orizzonti" is the opportunity to apply this research to spaces, where the narrative must be carefully balanced with the right doses of colors, textures, and graphic elements. Our goal, however, is to stay true to a story—a connection to the worlds that inspired our narrative, which will be reflected within Brera Design Apartment.


Photo courtesy of Fenix on the left, on the right MOROSO

How did the companies involved in the project respond, and what were the most surprising aspects in the development of all the environments?

The response has been very positive: the project gave us the chance to take on new challenges with companies we have worked with for a long time, as well as with new partners. On one hand, "Orizzonti" allows us to see the results of various material and color research applied by fascinating companies like Botteganove, Lunardelli, and Fenix, just to name a few. We are also working on creating custom furniture, some of which will be presented as new pieces at the fair. The upholstered furniture by Bolzan, Saba, and Ethimo will be dressed in fabrics from Fischbacher 1819. One of the most positive aspects has been the harmony between the many diverse elements that make up this project puzzle: pieces of experience and realities, some from small artisanal companies, others from large-scale production. For us, no theme could be more appropriate than "Mondi Connessi!"

What can you preview about the project? Will each of the five rooms be a world connected to the others, each with its own mood board?

Without revealing too much, we can say that it will be a journey accompanied by stories, archival photos, and artworks, each deeply connected to the environment in which it resides. While each space in the apartment will have its own distinct color palette and material repertoire, everything is united and connected by a common thread.


Photo courtesy of Del Savio 1910 on the left, on the right Ethimo

What will we see at Milan Design Week, signed by Zanellato/Bortotto Studio?

Certainly many "Orizzonti"! At the fair, we will present the new direction of Botteganove, a historic artisanal ceramic surface company for which we’ve been overseeing the creative direction for a year. We will relaunch them in Milan with a completely new image. We are also continuing our work for Bolzan: we’ll be creating a new setup for their showroom on Via Mercato, where we will present some very interesting new items, including a product designed by a London studio. Our research with Moroso on the world of artisanal glazed surfaces continues, applied this time to a new and unique product. And of course, there are other surprises we can’t yet reveal.

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The main partners of the project are Botteganove and Bolzan, joined by Fenix, Rezina, Fischbacher 1819, Saba, Lunardelli, Ethimo, Davide Groppi, with the support of DelSavio 1910, Sikkens, Radici Carpet, Agape, Moroso, Lanerossi, Wall&Deco' and CC-Tapis.

The execution of the project has been entrusted to Artecasa, a company based in the Brera Design District, responsible for coordinating and carrying out the renovation and installation of various materials.

The final project will be unveiled on February 27 during the Fuorisalone and Brera Design District press conferenceand will be open for visits by appointment only from March to the end of May, with booking details available on www.breradesignapartment.com.

Zanellato/Bortotto