︎Press, Exhibitions, Publications
︎NEWS︎
︎June 2025
Maetherea featured in Elle Decor Italia
We are delighted to announce that Maetherea, the project created by Cristina Morbi in 2018, has been featured in Elle Decor Italia in the article "Opera site-specific: acciaio e natura" (Site-specific work: steel and nature). In this feature, Maetherea is presented as a practice positioned between landscape design and public art. The article highlights Morbi’s exploration of the interactions between material and landscape, creating dialogues in constant motion through a subtle yet clearly perceptible sensitivity. ‘Her works embody an original, ethereal, and imaginative vision, always remaining deeply rooted in context. Each intervention delicately integrates into the landscape it seeks to narrate, offering a layered, unexpected story and reflecting the unique characteristics’ Ludovica Proietti. Read the full article on Elle Magazine  |
︎June 2025
Cristina Morbi to present ‘Design Phenology Landscape as Laboratory’ at the IUAV University of Architecture in Venice |
We are delighted to share that Cristina Morbi, director of Maetherea, will present Design Phenology: Landscape as Laboratory at the IUAV University of Architecture in Venice.
The lecture will explore her research into time-based landscape design, the role of natural and artificial agents in shaping environments, and the concept of “Design Phenology”, a term she coined to describe the dynamic interplay between design, seasonal rhythms and material transformations.
This event is part of IUAV’s ongoing commitment to fostering experimental and forward-thinking approaches in architecture and landscape studies.
︎June 2025
Maetherea’s Iron Reef published in Room Diseño no. 48 |
︎May 2025
︎May 2025
Cristina Morbi Exhibits Lithic Chords at the 2025 Venice Architecture BiennaleCristina Morbi, Maetherea’s principal, is exhibiting Lithic Chords at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale. Selected for the Biennale and presented within the historic Arsenale, Lithic Chords is a 21-metre-long post-tensioned stone structure that functions both as a communal space and a resonant instrument. The installation explores the expressive, structural and acoustic potential of stone, inviting visitors into a multisensory experience where architecture, geology and sound come together. Read the full article on The Bartlett UCL |
︎June 2024
︎June 2024
Iron reef Installation featured on Dezeen
Maetherea Studio’s latest project, Iron Reef, has been featured on Dezeen. Located along the River Yare in Norfolk, Iron Reef is an “amphibious” installation that emerges from the reedbeds, engaging directly with the dynamic landscape. The structure is composed of slender, red-toned iron rebars arranged in a curved, ascending formation. Inspired by the local environment, the installation is designed to inhabit both land and water, adapting to the shifting tides of the site. Through its materiality and form, Iron Reef explores the relationship between industrial remnants and natural ecosystems, continuing Cristina Morbi’s ongoing research into performative and time-based landscape interventions. Read the full article on Dezeen |
︎January 2024
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Maetherea was founded in 2018 in London, emerging from the intersection of academic research and professional practice. The name itself combines matter and ethereal, embodying the duality between the physical and the intangible in architecture and landscape design.
Read the full interview on Artribune
︎June 2023
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︎June 2023
Sundial by Maetherea has been featured in a beautiful article for Elle Decor Italia - Architecture
Our project Sundial has been featured in a beautiful article by Ludovica Proietti for Elle Decor Italia - Architecture, 'EPHEMERAL ARCHITECTURES OF SUMMER 2023 TO REDISCOVER THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAN AND NATURE', together with other wonderful installations. 'A selection of temporary artworks, destined to disappear after a short period of time, which invite us to reflect on how to highlight new ways of conceiving nature, building space and interacting with it'. Sundial is a Public Art commission by the Department of Culture and Education of Salzburg, Austria. The installation is part of Supergau Festival, a Contemporary Art Festival located in the landscape of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Salzburg’s Lungau.
︎June 2023
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︎May 2023
Our latest installation for Supergau_festival Sundial is an astral geometry. It invites you to position your body in relationship to the movements of the Sun. Connecting the Land to the Sky, its shadows indicates the passage of time.. In this way, an ephemeral structure becomes a ‘naked-eye observatory’. Different species of heliotropic flowers in bloom create a vegetal clock, slowly tracking the sun’s path across the sky. This creates a symbiosis between art and its environment.
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Special Thanks to:
Botanischer.garten.salzburg for caring and growing our Heliotropic Species
Manfred Jackob for all the wonderful help in making the Sundial real
︎March 2023
Construction of our Vegetal Clock - Sundial has started in Mariapfarr - Lungau - Austria
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︎February 2023
Field Trip with Cristina Morbi students from The Bartlett School of Architecture MEng visiting Milan, Italy. A special thanks to Fondazione Prada for the wonderful insights over the refurbishment by OMA.
Our students investigated the relationship between Brownfields and the public domain through caferul architectural actions rewilding the urban fabric through art and nature. We have been guests of Teatro Arcimboldi, guided by Giulia Pellegrino, and the backstage of Design Week ‘ Vietato l’Ingresso ‘. A special thanks to LAND Milano for guiding us to a tour to their Urban projects in Gae Aulenti and Biblioteca degli ALberi.
Tutors: Cristina Morbi, Francesco Banchini, Yi Zhang
Course: Architectural Design and Engineering, MEng, Y3, Y4
︎September 2022
Collaboration with Salzburg Botanical Garden
June 2025
Cristina Morbi recently visited the Salzburg Botanical Garden as part of Maetherea’s ongoing collaboration with Universität Salzburg. The garden hosts a remarkable variety of pollinators and native alpine plants, and actively researches the effects of climate change on the phenology of alpine landscapes.
For our latest Austrian project, we worked closely with the Botanical Garden team to select native heliotropic species. Heliotropic flowers track the Sun’s motion across the sky from east to west, a movement driven by specialised motor cells in a flexible segment beneath the flower known as the pulvinus. These cells adjust turgor pressure to orient the bloom towards the light, embodying a dynamic interaction between plant and atmosphere.
By integrating these species, our design highlights the delicate choreography of light, growth, and seasonal change, deepening the dialogue between landscape architecture and living systems.
︎June 2022
Cristina Morbi Portfolio Shortlisted for Landzine Award
Cristina Morbi’s portfolio was shortlisted for the Young Professionals Portfolio Award 2022 by the Landzine International Landscape Award.
The recognition celebrates her experimental approach to landscape architecture and her commitment to integrating temporal processes, natural systems, and spatial storytelling.
The international jury included João Nunes (PROAP), Robin Winogrond, Sarah Cowles (Ruderal), Hanneke Kijne (More Landscape), and Zaš Brezar (Landezine), all leading voices in contemporary landscape practice.
‘This shortlist positions Cristina Morbi among the most promising emerging landscape designers internationally, reinforcing Maetherea’s dedication to research-driven, performative design.’ - Landezine
︎June 2022
Maetherea Featured in Il Nuovo Torrazzo
Maetherea’s work and research have been featured in the Italian newspaper Il Nuovo Torrazzo in an article titled "The Poetry of Places: Investigated by Cristina Morbi in her London Studio. Exploring innovation, art and mutations around the world", written by Luca Guerini.
The piece highlights Cristina Morbi’s approach to landscape and architectural design, focusing on the studio’s dedication to innovation and the exploration of transformation in natural and urban environments worldwide. This publication underscores Maetherea’s ongoing commitment to combining research, art, and experimental practice to reinterpret the relationship between place, time, and human experience.
︎May 2022
Cristina Morbi Exhibits at Making Matters: CREATURE Research Group / CUBE Centre for Urban and Built Environments
Cristina Morbi presented her new material research project, Calcium Iodine: Ephemeral Masonry, at Making Matters, an exhibition by the CREATURE Research Group.
The exhibition took place from 6th to 13th May 2022 at the CUBE Centre for Urban and Built Environment, The Wash Houses, Aldgate Campus, London Metropolitan University (opening times: Mon–Fri, 2 pm–6 pm).
A private view was held on Thursday 5th May, featuring welcome notes by Prof. Matthew Barac and Dr Jacek Ludwig Scarso.
Cristina exhibited alongside practitioners including George Fereday, Francesca Filatondi, Maria-Irina Georgescu, Johanna Hallsten, Simone ten Hompel, James Hunting, Kaye Newman, Gina Pierce, Wendy Ross, Jane Turner, and Samuel Wingate.
Calcium Iodine: Ephemeral Masonry continues Morbi’s investigation into time-based materiality and the performative potential of architectural surfaces.
︎April 2022
Cristina Morbi Named Special Guest at New Italian Blood
We are delighted to announce that Cristina Morbi and Maetherea have been nominated as Special Guest for New Italian Blood – Landscape Architecture.
This recognition celebrates Maetherea’s ongoing commitment to experimental and research-driven landscape design, and its contribution to shaping new dialogues between nature, architecture, and public space.
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︎January 2022
London Metropolitan University Highlights Cristina Morbi’s Work
A special thank you to the School of Architecture, Art and Design at London Metropolitan University for publishing an article on Iron Reef and the bio-integrated design research of Lecturer Cristina Morbi.
The piece explores Maetherea’s commitment to integrating natural systems within architectural and landscape interventions, emphasising Cristina Morbi’s role in advancing experimental, environmentally responsive design approaches.
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︎January 2022
Iron Reef Wins Public Vote and Commission for Norfolk Art Way Trail
We are pleased to announce that Iron Reef won first place by public vote among the proposals for the Norfolk Art Way Trail.
Designed by Maetherea and led by Cristina Morbi the project was selected to be constructed as a permanent installation.
Iron Reef will be completed by March 2023, becoming a new landmark that celebrates the interplay between industrial materiality and the tidal landscape of Norfolk.
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︎November 2021
Selected Artist at Woolwich Print Art Festival
We are extremely pleased to have been selected for the Woolwich Print Art Festival, showcasing the best in international contemporary printmaking.
The festival brought together over 500 artists and specialist galleries at London’s newest landmark creative destination, celebrating experimental approaches to print and form.
Cristina Morbi exhibited as part of a collaboration with artist Kristina Chan, exploring new dialogues between landscape, temporality, and print techniques.
︎January 2021
Arcana Nature Artifice: Collaboration with Emanuele Coccia
It has been an honour to collaborate with philosopher Emanuele Coccia on Arcana Nature Artifice, a special set of Major Arcana exploring the relationship between nature and artifice.
This work reinterprets the traditional Visconti-Sforza arcana set, originally designed by Bonifacio Bembo and Cicognara in 1451. Each Major Arcana has been transformed into a symbolic glossary addressing design themes for the 2021 interdisciplinary workshop at Politecnico di Milano, led by Professor Giovanna Piccinno, Elisa Cattaneo, and Emanuele Coccia.
In the spirit of the Dadaist cadavre exquis, Cristina Morbi created a card for each topic, using mixed media to translate symbolic meanings and allusions. Each card is accompanied by an aphorism written by Emanuele Coccia, inspired by emblem literature.
This project reflects Maetherea’s ongoing interest in experimental narratives and the fusion of art, philosophy, and design.
︎October 2020
Piscina Mirabilis Exhibition in Bacoli, Naples
Piscina Mirabilis was exhibited in Bacoli, Naples, after being selected as an innovative proposal for the Reuse Italy competition focused on Italian ruins.
The project reimagines the historic Roman cistern through a contemporary lens, proposing new forms of cultural and spatial reuse.
This recognition highlights Maetherea’s commitment to reinterpreting heritage sites as living, transformative spaces.
︎June 2020
Cadavre Exquis Limited Edition Presented to Royal Academy, London
We are pleased to share that the limited edition series Cadavre Exquis, designed by Cristina Morbi of Maetherea and printed by Kristina Chan, has been presented to the Royal Academy in London.
This collaborative work explores layered narratives and experimental printmaking techniques, echoing the surrealist tradition of collective creation.
The project embodies Maetherea’s dedication to crossing boundaries between design, art, and material experimentation.
︎January 2020
Maetherea Launches Cadavre Exquis Event at Bargehouse, London
Maetherea celebrated its launch with Cadavre Exquis, a special event created by Cristina Morbi and co-curated with Patricia Stadler at the Bargehouse in London.
Inspired by the surrealist tradition born in Paris in 1925, Cadavre Exquis explored the idea of collective creation through a layered assembly of images and words — an exercise in appropriation and applied creativity. Rather than telling a single story, it revealed a stratified narrative, where each contribution remained unique yet interconnected.
The evening featured 5 tables, 5 talks, and 25 designers, coming together to generate unpredictable designs in real time. This inaugural symposium, themed Natural Technology and Digital Biodynamics, invited participants to reflect on how we shape nature in non-physical worlds and how biological and digital landscapes interlock.
Cristina Morbi presented the concept of the surrealist parlour and appropriation as a design process, bridging design, art, and architecture. Featured speakers included Kristina Chan (Lucid Dreams in Printed Landscapes), Gabriel Tanase (Ethereal to Pixels), Bruno Zamborlin (Hyperfurfaces), Diane Chappalley (Psychological Landscapes), and Alicia Hidalgo (Ethereal Non-Natura).
︎January 2020
Cristina Morbi Presents to CGLA Landscape Architecture Team
Director Cristina Morbi was invited to share her approach to concept generation in performative landscape design with the CGLA Landscape Architecture team.
Her presentation explored strategies that position landscapes as dynamic systems shaped by time, natural forces and human interaction. The talk reflected Maetherea’s commitment to research-led, experimental practice and to rethinking the role of landscape as a living, evolving medium.
Cristina Morbi’s Student Projects from Climate Performance Workshop Exhibited at Triennale di Milano
Student projects from the Climate Performance design workshop, led by Markus Jatsch and Cristina Morbi at Politecnico di Milano, were exhibited at the Broken Nature exhibition at the Triennale di Milano.
The workshop encouraged students to rethink the relationship between climate, time and design, treating environmental forces as integral elements in shaping space. The exhibited works explored innovative strategies for adaptive urban and landscape solutions in the context of climate change.
This exhibition highlights the impact of experimental education and Maetherea’s commitment to fostering new approaches to ecological and performative design.
︎January 2019
Cristina Morbi’s Student Work Presented to President of Zona 9, Milan
The visionary projects by first-year Master’s students in Interior and Spatial Design, Landscape Design course, were presented to the President of Zona 9 in Milan.
Focusing on Scalo Farini, Urban Temporary Tactics, the students explored new approaches to transform and activate underused urban areas through flexible, time-based interventions.
The course was led by Professors Giovanna Piccinno, Cristina Morbi, Osvaldo Pogliani and Marco Barsottini, with assistants Daniele Mazzinghi and Alice Zingales.
This presentation highlighted the power of academic design research to engage directly with civic leaders and envision future urban possibilities for Milan.
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︎February 2018
Climate Performance Workshop at Politecnico di Milano
For the second year, Markus Jatsch and Cristina Morbi collaborated with Professor Giovanna Piccinno on the interdisciplinary workshop at Politecnico di Milano, focusing on Landscape, Interior and Ephemeral Design.
Centred on the theme of Climate Performance, the workshop encouraged lateral thinking on climate change and innovative urban design solutions. It explored how environmental forces can become active design tools rather than constraints, prompting students to envision dynamic, adaptive spaces.
The teaching team included Professor Giovanna Piccinno (Interdisciplinary Workshop Coordinator), Markus Jatsch (Lead Visiting Professor), Cristina Morbi (Tutor Visiting Professor), Alice Zingales and Daniele Mazzinghi (Assistants), with student assistants Kristina Miskute and Gaia Brambilla. Critics included Luca Guerrini and Giulia Gerosa.
Video credit: Zhou Kang
︎February 2018
Climate Performance Workshop at Politecnico di Milano
During the Climate Performance Workshop at Politecnico di Milano, Cristina Morbi invited Giotto, an artist known for his synaesthetic improvisations, to translate students’ design work into live piano compositions.
The workshop focused on Climate Performance as a design approach that treats climate and environmental forces as active co-authors in shaping space. Rather than resisting change, this method embraces time, weather and transformation as central design elements.
By integrating sound and improvisation, the collaboration with Giotto offered a new sensory layer to understand and express these evolving landscapes.
This initiative reflects Maetherea’s commitment to experimental methodologies and interdisciplinary dialogue in design education.
︎May 2017
Design the Unpredictable Presentation at Milano Design Week
Cristina Morbi presented Design the Unpredictable at Milano Design Week in the event T7 Talents from the 7th Design University in the World.
The event, organised within Space&Interiors by MADE expo, celebrated Politecnico di Milano’s achievement as the 7th-ranked university worldwide in Art & Design according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017.
Cristina shared her experimental design approach, focusing on the role of unpredictability, time and environmental forces in shaping spatial and material outcomes. The presentation highlighted her work with POLI.design and her commitment to research-driven, process-oriented design practice.
︎March 2013
Pubblication on Domus
Exhibition Michele De Lucchi Studio
Exhibition Michele De Lucchi Studio
