As part of ArchitekturZeit, the two UNESCO Creative Cities Modena and Karlsruhe engage in a creative dialogue. The exhibition Encounter Trees – Modena x Karlsruhe explores the fascinating relationship between humans, nature, and design. At the heart of the exhibition lies the visionary work of Italian architect Cesare Leonardi (1935–2021), whose practice spans architecture, urban planning, photography, design, and art. His interdisciplinary approach combines design research with artistic experimentation—an invitation to understand design not only as form, but as a cultural force.
Encounter Trees highlights two central aspects of Leonardi’s work: his extensive tree drawings and his sustainable furniture design. Together with Franca Stagi (1937–2008), he documented over 300 tree species, analyzing their shadow patterns and seasonal color changes to inform the design of parks and shared public spaces. Starting in the 1980s, he also developed the Solids, a series of modular, handcrafted wooden furniture pieces as a sustainable alternative to industrial design.
Leonardi’s interdisciplinary approach is brought to life in the exhibition through original drawings, prototypes, photographs, and multimedia installations. Visitors are invited to freely explore different thematic areas and rediscover the interplay between design, nature, and urban landscapes in the unique setting of the Fasanenschlösschen. The exhibition is complemented by interactive workshops that encourage hands-on exploration of design principles and direct engagement with the trees in the surrounding Fasanengarten.
Stuhlbau DIY
Workshop: Form Meets Function — Reinterpreting Leonardi’s Modular Legacy
29 June 2025
As part of the exhibition, an experimental engagement with Cesare Leonardi’s modular system will take place on 29 June. The original forms are adapted to materials available in Germany, and the possibilities for assembly are expanded. The goal is to design concrete furniture pieces or site-specific additions in a resource-conscious manner. In some cases, Leonardi’s original designs are reproduced; in others, entirely new pieces are developed based on his construction principles. The resulting furniture will become an integral part of the exhibition display for the duration of the show.
A project of the UNESCO Creative Cities of Media Arts Karlsruhe and Modena in cooperation with Archivio Architetto Cesare Leonardi.
Location
Fasanenschlösschen in the Fasanengarten
Richard-Willstätter-Allee 2
76131 Karlsruhe