From Fuorisalone to Berne: Mario Botta's new projects for Alias on show at teo jakob
From 3 May to 13 June 2025, the exhibition “Mario Botta - New projects”.
On the occasion of the exhibition “Mario Botta - New Projects”, teo jakob is pleased to present exclusively for Switzerland the latest projects of Mario Botta, one of the most influential contemporary architects. The exhibition will be on view from 3 May to 13 June 2025 at teo jakob's headquarters in Bern. At the centre of the exhibition are two new collections, which are the result of the collaboration between Botta and Alias, and which were premiered at Fuorisalone 2025 in Milan: the Zeta stool and the Saturno table series. A special appointment is planned for 23 May 2025, when Mario Botta will be present in person at teo jakob Bern to talk about his creative journey and illustrate the new projects.
Mario Botta and teo jakob: A long-standing relationship: the relationship between Mario Botta and teo jakob has its roots in the early 1980s.
The famous Seconda chair, today a design icon, was first exhibited in 1983 in Bern, followed by a solo exhibition in the Geneva-Carouge showroom in 1986. Botta's designs, recognisable by their rigorous geometry and innovative use of materials, have contributed significantly to defining the contemporary living culture promoted by teo jakob.
New collections for Alias: architecture meets design: the new Alias projects, Zeta and Saturno, confirm the deep connection between architecture and design that has always animated the work of Ticino architect Mario Botta. Both collections were presented for the first time at the “Lightness of being” exhibition in the Fondazione Matalon during Fuorisalone 2025 in Milan, one of the most important international design events. Strongly influenced by the principles of Gerrit
Rietveld's Neoplasticism, the Zeta stool expresses a geometric rigour that translates the relationship between form, function and construction into an essential and recognisable graphic sign. An ideal piece of architectural furniture, in which constructive precision and the play between horizontal and oblique lines express the essence of Mario Botta's design method. The Saturno collection of tables and coffee tables is characterised by an architectural design in a skilful balance of solids and voids that gives the product lightness and visual dynamism. The geometric purity of the forms and the rigorous compositional balance emphasise the continuity between design and architecture, a distinctive feature of Mario Botta's design language. Alias, a long-standing partner of teo jakob and an international benchmark in Italian design, has collaborated over the years with big names such as
Alberto Meda, Alfredo Häberli, Jasper Morrison, and Michele De Lucchi. Besides the legendary pieces designed by Mario Botta produced in the 1980s - which are still in the catalogue - Alias is known for successes such as Giandomenico Belotti's Spaghetti chair (1979) and Riccardo Blumer's award-winning Laleggera (1996). With the Zeta stool and the Saturno table collection, Mario Botta and Alias renew a collaboration that began in 1981, once again testifying to the virtuous intertwining of architectural form and function of use.
From May 3 to June 13 2025
“Mario Botta – New Projects”
teo jakob, Gerechtigkeitsgasse 25 – 3011 Bern, CH
Ph. Elio Stettler / Courtesy Teo Jakob
