Mara Servetto

Margherita Servetto (born 1957), better known as Mara, is an Italian architect and designer.

Biography

She studied at the Polytechnic University of Turin where received her degree in Architecture under the supervision of Achille Castiglioni. When Castiglioni obtained a teaching position at the Polytechnic University of Milan, she moved to Milan where she collaborated with Castiglioni until 1990.

In the early 1990s she worked on research, architectural and design projects alongside Ico Migliore. In 1992 she designed some objects for Alessi. In the meantime, she developed researches and trials on the use of fiberglass both in architecture and design. Moreover, together with Ico Migliore and Giovanna Piccinno she began to produce “AA.VV. Autorivari” objects, which started to be distributed in Italy.

In 1997 she co-founded, with her husband Ico Migliore, Migliore + Servetto Architects, an architecture firm which creates, together with an international team of architects and designers, projects on various scales: from architecture to interior design; from urban design to temporary exhibitions; from museum to communication projects. These projects, diversified as they are, create innovative places that have a major impact on people. Architectures, interior and exhibition design projects characterized by an expressive use of light and new technologies.

She has been awarded many international prizes, such as the XXI (2008), XXIII (2014), XXV (2018) ADI Compasso d’Oro (Ita), five Honorable Mentions ADI Compasso d’Oro (Ita), eleven Red Dot Design Award (Ger), two German Design Award (Ger), two FX Interior Design Award (UK), the Annual Exhibit Design Award (Usa), two International Design Award (Usa) and the ASAL Exhibition Design of the Year (Ita).

Mara Servetto is Visiting Professor at Tokyo Joshibi University of Art and Design.

Main works

Museums

• ADI Design Museum Compasso d’Oro, Milan, in progress
• Layout of the "History of Mankind" section, Milan Natural History Museum, Milan (2019)
• Logo and Corporate Identity, Miramare Historical Museum and Castle Park, Trieste (2019)
• MIC-International Museum of the Shoe “Pietro Bertolini”, Vigevano, 2016
• Leonardiana. A New Museum", Vigevano, 2016
• Logo and Corporate Identity, Museo Egizio, Turin, 2014/2015
• “A building site as an event”, Museo Egizio, Turin, 2012/2015
• Pesaro City Art Museum, Palazzo Mosca, Pesaro, 2013
• Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Savings Museum, Turin, 2012
• Chopin Muzeum, Warsaw, 2010

Solo Exhibitions

As a result of more than 20 years of research in interior and spatial design, she has held several solo exhibitions, mainly with Migliore + Servetto Architects, including:

• “Lightmorphing. From Sign to Scenery” (2019) in South Korea at the Onground Gallery in Seoul and at the Art SoHyang Gallery in Busan;
• “Red Light Architecture - Sketches and Notes on Projects” (2018) at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul (South Korea);
• “Spacemorphing” in Tokyo, Japan (2007), in Turin, Italy (2008), in Seoul, South Korea (2010).

Exhibitions

• Italian Pavilion “4 Elements / Taking Care”, Milan Triennial 2019 “Broken Nature: Design Takes on Human Survival”, Triennale di Milano, Milan (2019)
• Abitare il Paese / Open Nests for CNAPPC (National Italian Concil of Planners, Designers and Conservators), part of Interni "Human Spaces" exhibition at University of Milan for Fuori Salone - (Milan Furniture Fair), 2019
• The Perfect Time for Whirlpool, part of Interni "Human Spaces" exhibition at University of Milan for Fuori Salone - (Milan Furniture Fair), 2019
• Iulm 50. Legacy and Future, for IULM, Milan, 2019
• La Magnifica Fabbrica. 240 Years of Teatro alla Scala from Piermarini to Botta, Museo Teatrale alla Scala, Milan, 2019 (together with I. Lupi)
• Achille Castiglioni Visionary, Chiasso m.a.x museo, 2018
• Michelangelo’s Medici Madonna, for the Bank of Korea, Busan, 2018
• Coats! Max Mara Seoul 2017, for Max Mara, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Seoul, 2017
• Steve Jobs o Visionário, Rio de Janeiro Pier Mauá and São Paulo Museum of Image and Sound, 2017
• Madonna della Misericordia by Piero della Francesca, Palazzo Marino, Milan, 2016
• The Art of Living, RCS, Palazzo della Permanente, Milan, 2016
• B&B Italia / The Perfect Density, for B&B Italia, Triennale di Milano, Milan, 2016
• In Equilibrio - HERB RITTS, Palazzo della Ragione, Milan, 2016
• Bellissima. L'Italia dell'alta moda 1945-1968, Royal Villa of Monza, 2015
• Moreschi Walking Pleasure, for Moreschi, Triennale di Milano, Milan, 2015
• Tecno Lively Table, for Tecno, Piazza XXV Aprile, Milan, 2015
• Alcantara Chromophone, Alcantara Technology of dreams, Palazzo Reale, Milan, 2015 (together with I. Lupi)
• RCS, The Art of Living, Triennale di Milano, Milan, 2015
• Shooting Stars, LACMA, Los Angeles, 2015
• Immortals – The Art and Knowledge of the Ancient Egyptians, Museo Egizio, Turin, 2013/2015
• Trame – Copper Crossing in Contemporary Art, Design, Technology and Architecture, Triennale di Milano, Milan 2014
• RCS, The Art of Living & Volvo Cloud Installation, Triennale di Milano, Milan, 2014
• Meet Design: Around the World, Triennale di Milano, Milan, 2013
• Pablo Picasso. Artworks from the Musee National Picasso in Paris at Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Reale, Milan, 2013 (together with I.Lupi)
• Constancy & Change in Korean Traditional Craft, Triennale di Milano, Milan, 2013
• Altagamma Italian Contemporary Excellence, Triennale di Milano, Milan, 2012/2013
• Coats! Max Mara 60 Years of Italian Fashion. Travelling exhibition: Berlin Kulturforum (2006), Tokyo Mori Art Museum (2007), Beijing National Art Museum of China (NAMOC) (2008), Moscow State Historical Museum (2012)
• Bticino Slim And White Axolute Code, Milan, 2010
• Seeing The Light, for the New York Times Style Magazine, Bulgari Hotel, Milan, 2008
• Sensidivini, Triennale di Milano, Milan, 2004
• Drawing Dreams: Dante Ferretti, Production Designer, LACMA, Los Angeles, 2002
• Krizia Moving Shapes, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT), 2001 (together with I.Lupi)
• Tod's Driving Dreams, Former Riva Workshops, Milan, 2001
• Wallpaper* Urban Addition, Spazio Hogan, Milan, 2001
• Wallpaper* + Giorgio Armani 60 Architecture Models, Former Nestlé Building, Milan, 2000

Fair Design

• Puglia Crossing Identities, MADE expo, Rho Fiera, Milan 2017
• space&interiors by MADE expo, The Mall, Porta Nuova, Milan, 2017
• Pedrali Urban Life, Pedrali, Salone del Mobile, Rho Fiera, Milan, 2016
• space&interiors by MADE expo, The Mall, Porta Nuova, Milan, 2016
• Accademia Citterio, Pavilion, EXPO, Milan 2015
• Moreschi Caleidoscopes, Pitti Uomo, Florence, 2015
• Pedrali Light Frames, Fiera Milan, Rho, 2015
• Luceplan Lighting Promenade, Fiera Milan, Rho, 2015
• Pedrali Stand Orgatec, Orgatec, Cologne, 2014
• Pedrali Flying Boxes, Fiera Milan, Rho, 2014
• Conai Stand, Ecomondo, Rimini, 2014

Fair Design

• space&interiors, for Made Expo, Milan, 2016 and 2017. Exhibition design of the entire fair area and of each individual stand
• Puglia Crossing Identities, for MADE Expo, Milan 2017
• Pedrali Urban Life, for Pedrali, Milan Furniture Fair, Milan, 2016
• Accademia Citterio della Salumeria Italiana, for Citterio, Milan Expo 2015 Pavilion, Milan, 2015
• Moreschi Caleidoscopes, Pitti Uomo Fair, Florence, 2015
• Pedrali Light Frames, for Pedrali, Milan Furniture Fair, Milan, 2015
• Luceplan Lighting Promenade, Milan Furniture Fair, Milan, 2015
• Tecno stand, for Tecno, Caselli Piazza XXV Aprile, 2016, 2015 and 2014
• Pedrali Stand Orgatec, for Pedrali, Orgatec Fair, Cologne, 2014
• Pedrali Flying Boxes, for Pedrali, Milan Furniture Fair, Milan, 2014
• Conai Stand, Ecomondo, Rimini, 2014
• Tecno stand, for Tecno, Orgatec Fair, Cologne, 2014
• Pedrali Mirror, for Pedrali, Milan Furniture Fair, Milan, 2013
• Beijing Design Fair, for Rcs Media Group S.p.a, Watertank D·Park 751, Beijing, 2012. Exhibition design of the entire fair area and of each individual stands
• A Wheel For Pedrali, for Pedrali, Milan Furniture Fair, Milan, 2012
• Arper stand, for Arper, Milan Furniture Fair, Milan, 2009
• Daedalus - 6 Ideas Scattered in a Technological Garden, Seoul Living Design Fair, Seoul, 2009
• Foscarini stand, for Foscarini, Milan Furniture Fair, Milan, 2009
• Fiat stand, Auto Show of Paris, Bologna, Geneva, 2008
• Thonet stand, Milan Furniture Fair, Milan, 2004/2006
• Charme Group Presentation (Poltrona Frau, Cappellini, Thonet, Gufram), Fuori Salone-Milan Furniture Fair, Milan, 2005
• Conai stand, for Conai, at Ecomondo (Rimini Fair), IPACK-IMA (Rho Fair Milan), Iswa (Rome Fair) and Terra Futura (Florence). From 2003 to 2019

Interiors

• dmail (Percassi Group) new Headquarters, Pontassieve (Florence), 2019
• dmail (Percassi Group) new Format Store, throughout Italy, 2016/2019
• B&B Italia Charles 20° Anniversary, B&B Italia store, Milan, 2017
• Mondadori Megastore, Il Centro Shopping Center, Arese, 2016
• Mondadori new Concept Store, for Mondadori, 2015
• Luceplan new Showroom, for Luceplan, Corso Monforte, Milan, 2014
• SK Promotion Center, for SK Group, Beijing, 2013
• Samsung Design Centre, for Samsung, Milan, 2012
• BTicino Concept Store “Experience Space”, for BTicino, Milan, 2011
• Mediabend Capital Headquarters, for Mediabend-Della Valle Group, New York, 2011
• Banca Popolare Friuladria, Crédit agricole - Self Service Area, for Crédit Agricole FriulAdria S.p.a., Pordenone and Rovigo, 2008
• Residence Desuite, Milan, 2006
• Fay Concept Store, Milan, 2002

Urban Design

• Blue Line Park, Busan, in progress
• Expo Flags Boulevard and Palo Milano, for Milan Expo 2015, Milan, 2011/2015 (in cooperation with I.Lupi)
• Torino + Light + Italian Colours, lighting Installation on the Mole Antonelliana, 2011/2012 (in cooperation with I.Lupi)
• City Dressing for the 150th Anniversary of Italian Unification, Turin, 2011
• City Dressing, Milan, 2010
• City Dressing, XXIII Winter Universiadi, Turin, 2007
• Look of the City, XX Olympic Winter Game, Turin, 2006 (in cooperation with I.Lupi)
• Corporate image and urban installations, Festival Dei Saperi, Pavia 2006/2008

Major Awards

• XXV ADI Compasso d’Oro (Ita), 2018 - Permanent Exhibition, “Leonardiana. A New Museum”, Vigevano
• Honorable Mention ADI Compasso d’Oro (Ita), 2018 - Temporary Exhibition, “Moreschi Walking Pleasure”
• German Design Award (Ger), 2018 - Temporary Exhibition, “B&B Italia/The Perfect Density”
• Red Dot Design Award (Ger), 2018 - Communication Design, “Coats! Max Mara, Seoul 2017”
• International Design Award (IDA) (USA), 2016 - Product Design, "i-Mesh Lightweight Diffuser Ceilings"
• Red Dot Design Award (Ger), 2016 - Communication Design, “Bellissima. L’Italia del’alta moda 1945-1968”
• Red Dot Design Award (Ger), 2016 - Communication Design, “Moreschi Walking Pleasure”
• Red Dot Design Award (Ger), 2016 - Communication Design, “B&B Italia/The Perfect Density”
• Red Dot Design Award (Ger), 2016 - Communication Design, “Pedrali Urban Life”
• Red Dot Design Award (Ger), 2015 - Communication Design, "Pedrali Light Frames"
• XXIII ADI Compasso d’Oro (Ita), 2014 - Event Design, “Slim and White Axolute Code”
• Honorable Mention ADI Compasso d’Oro (Ita), 2014 - Permanent Exhibition, “Chopin Museum”
• Honorable Mention ADI Compasso d’Oro (Ita), 2014 - Urban Design, “Torino + Light + Italian Colours”
• FX International Interior Design Award (UK), 2012 - Temporary Exhibition, "A Wheel for Pedrali"
• Honorable Mention ADI Compasso d’Oro (Ita), 2014 - Temporary Exhibition, “Seeing the Light” The New York Times Style Magazine
• International Design Award (IDA) (USA), 2011 - Temporary Installation, "Torino + Light + Italian Colours"
• FX International Interior Design Award (UK), 2011 - Temporary Exhibition, “Seeing the Light” The New York Times Style Magazine
• Red Dot Design Award (Ger), 2011 - Permanent Exhibition, “Chopin Muzeum”
• Red Dot Design Award (Ger), 2011 - Communication Design, “Bticino Concept Store”
• German Design Award (Ger), 2010 - Urban Design, “Look of the City. XX Olympic Winter Games 2006”
• Red Dot Design Award (Ger), 2009 - Communication Design, “Fiat Exhibition Stand 2008/2009”, Paris (France), Geneva (Switzerland)
• Red Dot Design Award (Ger), 2009 - Communication Design, “Seeing the Light” The New York Times Style Magazine
• Red Dot Design Award (Ger), 2009 - Communication Design, “Coats! Max Mara, 55 Years of Italian Fashion” Berlin (Germany), Tokyo (Japan), Beijing (China)
• XXI ADI Compasso d’Oro(Ita), 2008 - Urban Design, “Look of the City. XX Olympic Winter Games 2006”
• Honorable Mention ADI Compasso d’Oro (Ita), 2008 - Temporary Exhibition, “Wallpaper* Express. Da Pechino a Shanghai con Bombadier”
• Annual Exhibit Design Award (USA), 2006, Wallpaper* Exhibitions 1999/2003
• Asal – Exhibition Design of the Year (Ita), 2003 - Temporary Exhibition, Wallpaper* “Urban Addition”

Notes

External links

• Migliore+Servetto Architects
• Dexigner FX International Interior Design Awards