Carpenter, designer, artist: his vocation goes beyond the classic definitions, always exploring new ways of working metals with versatile handmade projects.
Every creative follows their own path: there are those who study in renowned schools, those who learn in studios with high-sounding names and those who, immediately, work for large companies. And then there is Marco Ripa, who arrived at his creative work by choosing the less easy path, that of “doing” starting from the bottom. Born in 1977, at the age of 15 he worked in a shop as a metal carpenter, learned to work with iron and discovered that he liked this material, which is so heavy, noisy and tiring to shape. And then he discovers Calder who, with his kinetic art sculptures, managed to make iron and metal noble and elegant materials. Thus was born the idea of creating furniture using only iron and steel, finding a way to make them as light as possible. Welders, hoses and saws become his work tools and in his laboratory in Porto San Giorgio in the Marche, opened in 2011, Marco Ripa begins to create furniture collections and experiment with new manufacturing techniques. He took part in important fairs such as those in Milan, Paris and Edit Napoli and his name began to circulate. Among architects, who commission pieces from him for residential and commercial projects, buyers and private clients. His pieces are increasingly in demand, and the success achieved at his latest participation in Milan Design Week has officially “baptized” him among the most interesting designers. Here’s what he told us in this interview. Table and chairs from the Chiodo collection. Photo ©Giulia Papetti
How do you define yourself: craftsman, artist or designer? Some time ago I read a definition that Saint Francis of Assisi gave and since then I have also made it a bit my own. He said that the worker works with his hands, the craftsman with his mind and hands, the artist with his hands, mind and heart. I see myself in all three definitions, also feeling that particular sensitivity that the artist must have to decipher the external world that surrounds him . Storage unit from the Coimbra collection. Photo ©Giulia Papetti
Why did you choose to work with iron and steel?
I started as a craftsman and carpenter, and over the years I’ve learned all the secrets of these materials. They are very difficult to work with, especially if you want, as I do for my furniture, to push the very limits of the material’s consistency. But at the same time, I appreciate their strength and durability. Now I’m also experimenting with aluminum, which is not very suitable for welding and requires continuous study of joints and fittings to create versatile and comfortable pieces to use.
On the left, furniture from the Supermodulare collection in green in the spaces of Ca’ Romanino, a project by Giancarlo de Carlo on the hills of Urbino; on the right, seats from the Coimbra collection and low table from the Chiodo line. Photo ©Giulia Papetti
How is one of your pieces of furniture created? What are the processes? My way of working is a creative process consisting of a purely artisanal phase and a more technological one. I always start with an idea and sketch it by hand, then use 3D programs to evaluate it in all its aspects; next, I move to 2D programs for laser cutting. Once all the elements are produced, the final assembly is always done by hand: only by working manually can I refine the finishing of the pieces. I would say that it’s a work that progresses from an abstract idea through subtraction: I eliminate the superfluous and enhance the stylistic expression by simplifying it as much as possible. I work the material to reach its most essential core.
. Some elements of the Coimbra collection inside Marco Ripa’s studio. Photo ©Giulia Papetti
Craftsman and now also publisher together with Roberto Cicchinè: how did you meet?
I met Roberto Cicchinè in 2016 when he asked me to develop some of his projects. We liked each other immediately: the same stylistic affinity, the same respectful approach to artisanal craftsmanship. Since 2022, he has become the art director of my studio, and together we created the collection we presented in Milan. He developed the new colors, 4 pastel shades, and 4 with fuller chromatic gradients, which are baked at 180°C, making them resistant and robust, so all pieces can also be used outdoors. From left, Roberto Cicchinè and Marco Ripa next to a piece of furniture from the Coimbra collection; on the right, coffee table from the Coimbra collection, also available in other sizes and colours. Photo ©Giulia Papetti
How many collections do you currently offer on the market? We have many in the catalog, ranging from chairs and tables to shelves, storage furniture, and armchairs. At the Milan Design Week, we also presented the expansion of the Coimbra collection: consoles, totems, and floor and wall storage units. They are all aluminum elements with sharp geometric shapes, sinuous details, and intense colors. We received an excellent commercial response, with new clients in Germany and New York. Elements of the Coimbra collection in different colors. Photo ©Roberto Cicchinè
Stool from the Chiodo collection in red, inside Ca’ Romanino, a project by Giancarlo de Carlo on the hills of Urbino. Photo ©Marco Biancucci
What new projects are you currently working on? We never stop: we are already working on a new project that we want to present at the October 2024 edition of Edit Napoli. As a studio, we are also involved in an interesting project to redevelop an ancient village in Romagna, which will be completed in the coming months. marcoripa.it
The Coimbra collection in the display presented during Milan Design Week 2024. Photo ©Giulia Papetti
Marco Ripa with the stools from his Chiodo collection. Photo ©Giulia Papetti
On the cover, detail of the stools from the Chiodo collection by Marco Ripa. Photo ©Giulia Papetti
