News Byte: Architecture Student Showcases His Work at Milan Design Week

Liyth Musallam , an architectural technology major, presented his stone installation, Spandrel, at Fuorisalone, a series of exhibitions that took place throughout Milan, Italy, during Milan Design Week June 6 through 12.

Spandrel was on display in an exhibition curated by HoperAperta, a platform that organizes presentations and events by bringing together artists, architects, and designers with Italian furniture companies and other industries to collaborate on a single theme. This year’s theme, The Absolute Surface, was inspired by the ideas of spatial perception by French philosopher Raymond Ruyer.

“Words can’t describe how thrilled I was when I received this opportunity,” said Musallam. “I couldn’t have done it without the support of our New York Tech School of Architecture and Design Dean Maria Perbellini.”

He worked with Alessandro Melis, Ph.D., professor of architecture, to create the piece using Grasshopper, a visual programming language that allows users to build complex designs without programming knowledge. The two worked with Julia Marmi, a marble contractor in the Udine province of Italy, to build the design.

Musallam was on hand to present the installation at Milan Design Week, which takes place annually alongside Salone del Mobile.Milano, a trade fair that showcases the latest in furniture and design and attracts international attendees.

“Growing up, I’ve always wanted to travel around the world and experience different cultures, traditions, and customs,” he said. “Through the good graces of my parents and the university, I was able to travel to Milan to attend the opening of Salone del Mobile.”

Liyth Musallam’s stone installation, Spandrel, on display at Fuorisalone, a series of exhibitions that took place throughout Milan during Milan Design Week.