visual bathtub

Ettore Sottsass, born in Innsbruck in 1917, became one of the most influential designers and architects of the 20th century. Fond of radical thoughts and movements, he founded the energetic and flamboyant Memphis group in 1981 and completely changed the design scene in Italy - and in the world.

As Memphis attracted attention, Ettore Sottsass founded an architectural practice and a major design consultancy with Aldo Cibic, Marco Marabelli, Matteo Thun and Marco Zanini. He named it Sottsass Associati. He provided cultural guidance to work conducted by its many young associates. 

Johanna Grawunder, born in San Diego in 1961, joined the firm in 1985 and became a partner in 1989. At the Sottsass Studio, she was involved primarily with architecture and interiors, co-designing many of the firm’s most prestigious projects with Sottsass. The models they worked on together between 1988 and 2003 are incredible objects. Made of plexiglas and polychrome marble, they look like little sculptures and were edited by Ultima Edizione, a marble company located near Carrara.

In 2001, Johanna eventually left the firm to found her own studio in San Francisco and Milan. Sottsass died in 2007 at the age of 90 years but Sottsass Associati continue to carry on the philosophy and culture of the studio. The studio still works with former members of Memphis, including Johanna Grawunder.