Nicolas Zanoni: Innovative Industrial Design and Material Sculptures

Nicolas Zanoni is a prominent designer whose practice is centered around the rigorous exploration of industrial materials and their potential for sculptural transformation. Based in Brussels and born in Paris, Nicolas Zanoni graduated from the prestigious La Cambre school with a focus on industrial design. His creative process is characterized by a hands-on, nonconformist approach to material manipulation, often utilizing industrially produced substances like polystyrene, XPS insulation panels, and aluminum mesh. Through techniques such as burning, pressing, and sand-casting, he transforms utilitarian materials into functional objects that possess a distinct, tactile aesthetic. One of his notable projects includes the Strat Chair, which reinterprets insulation panels through a process of thermal fusion and hand-carving to create organic, sedimentary forms. Another significant work is the Fuzzy collection, where handwoven aluminum mesh is cast within molten metal, eliminating the need for traditional welding and highlighting his commitment to process-driven design. Inspired by the raw lines of brutalism as well as the dynamism of sports and technology, Nicolas Zanoni creates works that sit at the intersection of sculpture and everyday utility. His studio, located in the heart of Brussels, serves as a laboratory for chance encounters with matter, where form is often discovered through the act of physical engagement rather than predefined molds. As a recipient of various design accolades and a regular participant in international design weeks, Nicolas Zanoni continues to push the boundaries of contemporary furniture design by rethinking our sensory relationship with the objects that inhabit our domestic spaces.