Carlo Ratti Reflects on 'Objectify' Summer Series Exploring 14 Ordinary Italian Design Objects
Carlo Ratti wrapped up his summer series 'Objectify' for Wallpaper*, which spanned 14 weeks and explored everyday Italian items as lessons in design, featuring objects such as the mosquito coil, condom, Vibram sole, and Campari Soda bottle. He shared five reasons for his writing: his upbringing in northern Italy, his studies with Umberto Eco, the power of public ideas, a desire for recognition, and a philosophy from his great-aunt. Ratti emphasized that feedback from users can improve design. Initially published in Il Sole 24 Ore, the series showcases often-overlooked Italian items as design treasures. Ratti, who heads CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati and teaches at Politecnico di Milano and MIT, is also directing the 2025 La Biennale di Venezia and has worked on the Olympic Torch for the 2026 Winter Games.
Key facts
- Carlo Ratti wrote a 14-part summer column titled 'Objectify' for Wallpaper*.
- The series explored ordinary Italian design objects such as the mosquito coil, condom, Vibram sole, Telepass, Campari Soda bottle, Autogrill Bridge, lifeguard's uniform, condominio, garden gnome, bucket and spade, Monoloc chair, and Mutti tomato tin.
- Ratti cited five reasons for writing, including intellectual engagement, open-ended feedback, self-fulfilling prophecies, vanity, and life conversation.
- The column was originally published weekly in Il Sole 24 Ore.
- Ratti studied with Umberto Eco and referenced Eco's concept of 'Opera aperta'.
- Ratti is the founder of CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati and directs the Senseable City Lab at MIT.
- He directed the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2025.
- His projects include the Olympic Torch for the 2026 Winter Games and the French pavilion at Expo Osaka.
Entities
Artists
- Carlo Ratti
- Umberto Eco
- Le Corbusier
- Achille Castiglioni
- Proust
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Filippo Brunelleschi
- Angelo Terzi
- Pier Luigi Nervi
Institutions
- Wallpaper*
- Il Sole 24 Ore
- CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati
- Politecnico di Milano
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Senseable City Lab
- La Biennale di Venezia
- Expo Osaka
Locations
- Italy
- France
- Milan
- Venice
- Singapore
- Osaka
- Paris
- Gargnano
- Lake Garda
- Florence
- Arno
- Santa Maria del Fiore