The exhibition ‘Paolo Deganello. Design Político', curated by Maria Milano, is on display at MUDE, the Design Museum, in Lisbon, from 19 November 2026 to 28 March 2027. Accompanied by an updated and annotated edition of the author’s book — copublished by esad—idea —, it continues a relationship with ESAD spanning almost three decades.

The project as a whole – comprising the exhibition and the publication – was conceived and is coordinated by esad—idea, Research in Design and Art, in partnership with Casa do Design in Matosinhos and MUDE, the Design Museum in Lisbon.

Who do we design for, and what is worth producing?

These questions run through the work of Paolo Deganello, architect and designer, co-founder of Archizoom Associati in 1966. From the experiences of Italian radical design to proposals for reuse, his career spans creation, a critique of consumerism, environmental responsibility and teaching.

Curated by Maria Milano, the exhibition brings together the architect’s objects and projects in five sections: the radical beginnings; identity and counterculture; aesthetic hybridisation; reuse and sustainability; and design education. It includes works by students from ESAD and ISIA (Istituto Superiore per le Industrie Artistiche) in Florence.

A publication to further the debate

esad—idea has now published Political Design: A Critical, Ecological and Regenerative Project. Towards a 21st-century design school, in a Portuguese edition, updated and annotated by Eleonora Fedi and Maria Milano, with editorial coordination by Eleonora Fedi.

Originally published in Italy in 2019, the book examines design’s responsibility within models of production and consumption and the role of schools in transforming them. The new edition includes additional notes, images, references, previously unpublished essays and an update by Deganello himself, whilst retaining the original’s direct language and pocket-sized format, designed to facilitate reading, debate and project work.

The publication brings together contributions from Alastair Fuad-Luke, Emanuele Quinz, Franco Raggi, François Burkhardt, Giampiero Bosoni, Giuseppe Furlanis, Jacopo Galimberti, Jorge Figueira, Nina Bassoli, Roberto Gargiani and Silvana Annicchiarico. It also includes ‘A Three-Way Dialogue’, a conversation between Paolo Deganello, Enzo Mari and Alessandro Mendini, originally published in 2014 in the magazine PLI Arte & Design.

Almost three decades of association with ESAD

A visiting lecturer at ESAD since the late 1990s, Deganello has been working with Maria Milano, lecturers and students on projects that bring critical thinking and design practice closer together.

The reuse of furniture destined for the scrap heap, the combination of materials and the appreciation of what already exists are all part of this work.

This relationship extends to publishing and research. In 2009, esad—idea published Paolo Deganello. The reasons behind my radical project, edited by Maria Milano.

The exhibition at MUDE and the new publication continue this shared journey, facilitating the circulation of projects and ideas between the school, books, exhibition spaces and public debate.

The project highlights the links between education, research, publishing and cultural programming within the ESAD ecosystem. Casa do Design, owned by Matosinhos City Council, is participating by co-producing the exhibition with MUDE.

Book launch and round-table discussion

On 19 November at 4.00 pm, MUDE will host the book launch, featuring a round-table discussion with Paolo Deganello, François Burkhardt, Giampiero Bosoni and Nina Bassoli, moderated by Eleonora Fedi and Maria Milano, with an opening address by Bárbara Coutinho.

A gathering to discuss the issues linking the exhibition to the publication: for whom do we design, with what resources, and with what consequences? What should we teach in design today?

Opening: 18 November 2026, at 7.30 pm
Exhibition: 19 November 2026 to 28 March 2027
Book launch and round-table discussion: 19 November 2026, at 4.00 pm
Venue: MUDE, Design Museum · Rua Augusta, 24, Lisbon