The space itself — a striking new presence on the Natiënlaan in Knokke — was designed by Belgian studio Grain Designoffice, with a bold nod to the style of Brazilian architect Jorge Zalszupin. Sculptural wooden structures, vertical rhythm, and the use of glass create a harmonious tension between transparency and tactility.

Inside, the atmosphere evokes a sense of contemporary quiet luxury: an open entrance flooded with natural light, clean stairwells in concrete and wood, sculptural greenery, timber wall structures, and indirect lighting. Ex Terra also includes a luxurious kitchen and meeting area with views over the surrounding landscape.

Draga & Aurel: Sculptural Design Rooted in Como’s Creative Heritage

Although lesser known to the mainstream public, the northern Italian town of Como boasts a distinctive tradition in architecture and design. Renowned for its historic silk industry, the city has long nurtured a dialogue between material innovation and artisanal craft — a legacy that extends into its modernist architecture and continues today through contemporary studios like Draga & Aurel, who reinterpret that heritage with bold, sculptural design.

Como’s design identity lies in the cross-pollination between craftsmanship and modernity.Textile designers often collaborate closely with artists and industrial designers to create fabrics that are not only functional but also sculptural. The use of new materials — such as resin, plastic, and fiberglass — alongside traditional silk and linen is characteristic of the region’s contemporary makers.

The collectable pieces by Draga & Aurel reflect a design DNA that feels especially relevant today — merging textile techniques, artistic expression, and the upcycling of vintage furniture into sculptural, one-of-a-kind objects. Each creation resonates with echoes of Como’s rich design heritage, the city where their studio was founded in 2007.

Their practice is defined by a dynamic cross-pollination between craftsmanship and modernity. This unique sensibility is expressed through their innovative use of materials: resin, plastic, and fiberglass are layered alongside traditional fabrics like silk and linen — a contemporary language rooted in the artisanal legacy of the region.

Draga Obradovic brings a background in fashion design, while Aurel K. Basedow studied Fine Arts at Milan’s Accademia di Belle Arti after early training as a carpenter. Together, they form a duo that bridges disciplines, generations, and materials — shaping a design vision that is both timeless and boldly of the now.

Ex Terra / RR Interieur
Natiënlaan 123–125
Knokke, België