Studio Ossidiana—Giovanni Bellotti and Alessandra Covini

Studio Ossidiana—Giovanni Bellotti and Alessandra Covini Part of the MIT Fall 2026 Architecture Lecture Series. Presented with the Architecture and Urbanism Group Studio Ossidiana is a design practice based in the Netherlands, working across scales to create spaces, objects, exhibitions, and installations at the intersection of architecture, design, art, and landscape. The studio’s projects include experimental playgrounds for children and adults, floating gardens inhabited by birds, outdoor kitchens, land art pavilions on water, to be explored and cultivated by humans and other species. Led by Alessandra Covini and Giovanni Bellotti, with Klaas van der Molen joining the studio in 2025, Studio Ossidiana collaborates with international institutions including the Centre Pompidou and the National Museum in Oslo. The studio’s work has been presented at the Venice Architecture Biennale (2021–2023), Milan Triennale (2022), Shenzhen Architecture Biennale (2022), Istanbul Design Biennial (2021), Chicago Architecture Biennial (2021), and Bruges Triennial (2024). Alongside their design practice, Giovanni and Alessandra teach at international universities, including HEAD Genève (Haute école d’art et de design), where they lead a course exploring the relationship between plants and interiors. Studio Ossidiana’s work has received numerous awards and distinctions, including the Prix de Rome (2018), the Netherlands’ oldest award for designers under 35; the Italian Architecture Under 35 Award (2023); and nominations for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture / Mies van der Rohe Award (2024, 2026). This lecture will be held in person in the Sidara Auditorium (W41- 1216) and streamed online on YouTube. Lectures are free and open to the public. Registration is required.