Masó’s Furniture in a Course on the History of Furniture from the 20th and 21st Centuries

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Organized by the Association for the Study of Furniture at the Disseny Hub Barcelona

This course explores the evolution of furniture in the 20th and 21st centuries to understand the cultural, technical, and social transformations of the contemporary world. It offers a critical perspective on furniture design, from its historical roots to current innovations.

Now in its sixth edition, the course has become a reference point for professionals, researchers, and design enthusiasts. The training program is based on the following objectives: an in-depth analysis of changes in the conception and production of furniture, with a focus on economic, social, and material factors; integration of the international dimension, with particular attention to European and North American contexts; and an appreciation of design in Spain and Catalonia, establishing connections with the professional and institutional environment.

The course provides a comprehensive theoretical and practical overview of the history of furniture in the 20th and 21st centuries. It combines lectures with monographic sessions and is designed so that participants can tailor their learning according to their interests through a complete and flexible program. Thus, it becomes an essential tool for deepening the study of contemporary furniture within a historical, critical, and contextualized framework.

The course will take place at the Disseny Hub Barcelona on Wednesdays, from October 22, 2025, to May 23, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (with a 15-minute break). In addition, several Saturday sessions will be scheduled.

One of the course excursions will take place on November 22, with a visit to Casa Masó to see the different sets of furniture designed by Rafael Masó that can be viewed in the house. These pieces serve as examples of his connection with various European furniture design movements and with Noucentisme.

Course director: Paolo Sustersic, PhD architect. Professor at Elisava and president of the History and Design Foundation (FHD). The teaching staff includes numerous guest lecturers, sector experts, and specialists in the topics covered.

More information and registration available on the website of the Association for the Study of Furniture.