Notes from Northern Italy: Mattiazzi

“The most interesting objects for Mattiazzi have a distinct sensibility, or you could say a point of view about our world.” Cristina begins “They are imaginative and yet realistic, and they have some sort of magic that we have never seen before”

Mattiazzi do things differently. From their base in the North-East of Italy, the company are “dedicated to producing furniture in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way, sourcing the best wood from renewable forests, making pieces that are built to last, relevant for now and meant to be enjoyed for generations.”

Founded in 1979 by brothers Nevio and Fabiano, the duo shared an “obsession for woodworking” according to Cristina Salvati, Mattiazzi’s Director of Sales and Marketing. In her role she has witnessed the company grow from humble beginnings into a coveted brand that works with some of the world’s most innovative and respected designers.

“When I joined Mattiazzi in 2001 the company was completely different from what it is today. Mattiazzi was known as a subcontractor of very high-quality designs for other reputable companies, but we did not have any furniture with the Mattiazzi name on it. Mattiazzi quality was 'inside'.

I realised the potential of production, the skills and experience that all workers had, and especially the will from owners who continued to challenge themselves, and I suggested that it was the time to arise from behind the scenes of production and to establish our name.

We wanted to collaborate with designers who could understand our values and our capabilities who could show our potential. The first Mattiazzi Collection chair, MC1, is by designer Nitzan Cohen. We introduced the He Said / She Said chair at Stockholm Furniture Fair in February 2009.”

Mattiazzi’s values, craftsmanship, and instinctive approach to design would resonate instantly with their audience. The first collection was received to international acclaim, and the company have scarcely paused for breath since.

Mattiazzi soon attracted a roster of global design talent including Jasper Morrison, Konstantin Grcic and Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec. In addition to this Sam Hecht and Kim Colin of Industrial Facility came on board as creative directors last year, solidifying the company’s reputation as an innovative force.

Mattiazzi’s deep affection for the designers they work with is clear, as Cristina explains

“Many designers approach us. Traditionally we make new projects with the same family of designers and give them a chance to experiment with new ideas.

Each designer is different and has become part of our family, understanding intimately what we do and pushing us to do better.

We give them a lot of freedom but also a lot of responsibility. We look for someone who can form a special relationship with us, who loves wood, has integrity, is practical, and can imagine something better.”

This honest relationship results in a symbiosis between designer and maker, the development process is an inherent part of the design rather than a sketch to be realised from afar.

“When designers show their new ideas, this is the best gift we can get, and the surprise when we see the presentation leaves us almost breathless.

Our structure is quite small and therefore the development process involves a lot of people in different positions engaging simultaneously about different aspects. This is extremely important – we discuss and argue as well, but the final result is always great!

What we like the most is to have designers in our factory, having their “hands-on” each product; we can see newly through their eyes the very things we see every day and are so used to.”

As well as fostering deep bonds with their existing designers, Mattiazzi also invites a new designer to work with them each year. The chosen designer is brought to Udine to meet the whole company and see their uniqueness of their manufacturing approach first hand.

Paolo, Nevio’s son, saw potential in combining Mattiazzi’s handcraft skills with the latest CNC technology and pushed his father to invest early on. As a result, the company has a deep affinity for both hand and machine, enabling them to push both to the limits of their potential.

“This has become something like a signature of Mattiazzi – that we can achieve things that others cannot – forms and shapes that were in the past mainly associated with injection moulding and not wood, unless made by hand and therefore not cost-efficient and still inconsistent in terms of quality.

We are careful to balance each piece in terms of how each machine is utilised and to retain the human touch. With both machines and hands we are able to produce forms and shapes that are very organic”

For Mattiazzi and Cristina neither “process could live alone; they are related one to the other.”

Similarly, Mattiazzi were very early adopters of sustainable design and manufacturing techniques. Cristina explains “We consider ourselves as pioneers of environmental care in the furniture business. We started our path a long time ago and much before the trend we are currently seeing."

For Mattiazzi the goals are clear, no emissions are released into the atmosphere, nothing is sent to landfill, and the factory is powered by 100% clean energy. For each tree they cut down, another one is planted; sawdust is collected from the floor and used to heat the factory.

What advice can they offer other design companies at the start of this journey? Cristina is clear “My advice for younger companies is to keep improving your commitment to the environment, keep finding ways to get better. It cannot be 'once and done'.”

In February of this year, Mattiazzi found themselves in an unprecedented situation, as like the rest of us, they came to terms with life in the grip of a global pandemic. In Northern Italy, as with here in the UK, the situation has been particularly acute. What impact has the resulting lockdown has on Cristina and her colleagues?

“This is a very challenging time. There are no meetings in person and everything is communicated through a screen, so for us that believe and speak emotionally, it is a very hard time, but we are by nature optimistic."

Beyond the difficulties, Cristina and her colleagues have embraced the change of pace and the ability to reflect.

“We have the time to focus on different but important objectives that sometimes are left behind just because there are other priorities demanding attention. For instance, it has given us more time to consider current projects and our trajectory without the pressure of Salone.

After all of this, we think that people will value more the long-lasting things that are made with great care and thought.”

On a personal level, Cristina has seen the positive impact on her family life:

“I spend some quality time with my family, my husband and our daughter Aurora. She is the happiest in this situation. I travel a lot and now that I am at home for her it is like being on a holiday together, even if I am working from home. I read a lot and get outside to do some gardening, which I love.”

And of course, despite the uncertainty of world events, there is still much to look forward to in Mattiazzi’s future, Cristina smiles and offers a hint of what is to come.

“Of course, we have some new furniture coming and also we have invited some young designers to work with us in a new area and we are very excited to share what they've done. Soon...”