NM3's modular steel furniture redefines contemporary design language

architecture-design · 2026-06-19

NM3, an industrial design studio launched in 2020 in Milan by architects Nicolò Ornaghi and Francesco Zorzi, along with photographer Delfino Sisto Legnani, focuses on creating modular furniture from steel with a strong emphasis on radical essentialism. They made a significant impact at Milan Design Week in April, collaborating with Visionnaire at 10 Corso Como, presenting an installation for Armani Archivio, and transforming a former swimming pool into a listening room for Stone Island. In northern Milan, their Casa NM3 showcased home applications, and they also created furniture for Wallpaper*'s Travel Guides at a kiosk redesigned by DWA. Ornaghi mentions their approach is not about inventing but rather about finding solutions.

Key facts

NM3 founded in Milan in 2020 by Nicolò Ornaghi, Francesco Zorzi, and Delfino Sisto Legnani.
The studio works exclusively with steel, emphasizing modularity and radical essentialism.
NM3 collaborated with Visionnaire at 10 Corso Como during Milan Design Week.
They created an installation for Armani Archivio.
They designed a retail environment for Magniberg.
They built a site-specific listening room for Stone Island in a disused swimming pool.
Casa NM3 installation in northern Milan demonstrated domestic furniture applications.
NM3 produced furniture for Wallpaper*'s Travel Guides debut at a kiosk by DWA.
The studio operates as a design studio, production aggregator, and brand.
Their aesthetic is influenced by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Egon Eiermann, Richard Neutra, and Angelo Mangiarotti.
NM3 started in exhibition design and shifted to home furnishings during the pandemic.
They follow rules defined by manufacturing restrictions, finding freedom within limits.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

NM3
Visionnaire
10 Corso Como
Armani Archivio
Magniberg
Stone Island
Wallpaper*
DWA

Locations

Milan
Italy
northern Milan
London

Sources

Wallpaper Design — 2026-06-19