8. In the late 1960s, Andrea Branzi’s designs began to dissolve borders between public and domestic spaces, particularly visible in the furniture he produced. Your own projects have also spanned work for public spaces (JCDecaux Group, museums, etc.) and furniture for private interiors. How do you see this work and what is your approach to it?

MSz: My industrial work and personal research have never been inspired by political or social ideology. Motivation comes from within the work itself and I seek no ideological justification outside it. I freely leave planning and improving the future to others who are more competent.

As for Andrea Branzi’s views, I suspect they were in the name of abolishing all the walls that glorious mankind delights in erecting between individuals. On the other hand, it is also a relief occasionally to be home, in your own territory, protected from other people. You can always go out and meet others whenever you chose to do so. Over-simplified ideas and slogans evade complexities and sooner or later lead to violent outcomes. Only this morning I read an interview in the newspaper with the architect and urban designer Chantal Deckmyn: “Public space is owned by us all and plays the role of a buffer zone. A third of our space is needed to avoid close contact and coming to blows with others. Public spaces function as the third that enables people to come together.” Hannah Arendt memorably stated, “Public space is what keeps us from being at one another’s throats.” Maybe