On January 9, 2026, FADCOM hosted the talk “Topographic Furniture,” an academic event that brought together about 40 students to discuss design, territory, and entrepreneurship. The session was led by Luca Da Ros, founder of Dolomitisch, who shared the process through which an idea born of curiosity and craftsmanship evolved into a startup with its own identity.
During the talk, he explained how topographic surveys of mountains can be transformed into furniture with both conceptual and commercial value. Through land surveying tools and product design processes, the shapes of the landscape are translated into tables and chairs that not only serve a practical function but also incorporate narrative, identity, and a connection to the environment.
The process—from data collection to the creation of the object—demonstrated how design can bring together technique, research, and the market into a coherent proposal. The event took place in a dynamic format that allowed students to experience firsthand the evolution of an academic project into a viable business model.
Topics covered included idea validation, brand building, market differentiation, and the designer’s role as a creator of value beyond aesthetics. The talk demonstrated that design can become a platform for innovation and entrepreneurship with real impact. By connecting region and product, concept and market, the experience reaffirmed that it is possible to build a future when research, identity, and strategic vision are integrated.
© Photography: Kayla Yépez / Text: José Luis Castro
