ZUMMAUT Collective Challenges Hostile Architecture with Urban Design Intervention

The Italian design collective ZUMMAUT, formed by Luca Magistrali, Alberto Massara, Marco Merafina, Alice Platania, and Giacomo Quinland, presents 'Simbionte,' a new urban design project at the exhibition 'Ostile' curated by Maria Carla Forina. The show runs from February 4 to 19, 2023, at Spazi Ex Teatro Ringhiera in Milan. ZUMMAUT emerged from a university group project and won a contest by Xilografia Nuova, leading to their debut at EDIT Napoli. Their ongoing research, 'New Habits,' explores domestic and urban space. 'Simbionte' targets hostile public benches in Piazzale Gabrio Piola, using a parasitic structure to transform them into hospitable seating. The collective rejects mass production and market-driven design, focusing instead on contemporary issues. The exhibition reflects on unpleasant design and urban exclusion, inspired by William Whyte's studies on social life in urban spaces. A complementary talk by artist Meletios Meletiou, whose exhibition 'Buffer Zone' at Fondazione Pastificio Cerere addressed hostile architecture abstractly, will occur during the opening.