Oltrefrontiera
Material Library Development
International Supplier Research · Nearly 300 Material Samples · Archive Curation · Technical Storage Design · Physical Implementation
CLIENT
Oltrefrontiera
ROLE
Materials Sourcing & Library Development
SCOPE
Material Library Development
PROJECT
Internal Materials Research & Library System
DURATION
Dec 2023 – Mar 2024
DELIVERABLES
Supplier Research · Material Acquisition · Archive Curation · Technical Storage Design · Physical Implementation
THE PROJECT
Oltrefrontiera developed an internal Material Library to support the research, comparison and selection of materials for future projects. The objective was to expand the existing archive, build a broader international supplier network and create a more structured physical system for storing and consulting material samples.
The project developed from supplier research and outreach through sample acquisition, archive curation and the technical development of a new storage system. The final result combined nearly 300 newly received material samples with the existing archive, inside a dedicated physical library designed for easier consultation and future project use.
MY ROLE
I took ownership of the Material Library development from supplier research and outreach through sample acquisition, archive organization and the physical implementation of the space. My role combined materials sourcing, supplier coordination and technical development, with the objective of turning a broad research assignment into a structured and usable internal resource.
I built and managed the supplier outreach and tracking process, coordinated the acquisition of 289 material samples, organized and curated the existing archive, developed the storage logic and taxonomy, and designed the shelving system used to house the collection. I also followed the technical development of the shelving components and their implementation within the dedicated Material Library space.
SUPPLIER RESEARCH & OUTREACH
I structured the supplier research and outreach process to expand the company’s material network beyond the existing archive. The work involved identifying relevant manufacturers and material producers, organizing contact batches, tracking responses and follow-ups, and maintaining a clear overview of sample requests and incoming material.
The outreach covered suppliers from multiple countries and developed into an ongoing sourcing process rather than a one-off research exercise. This work ultimately contributed to the acquisition of 289 physical material samples for the library.
MATERIAL ACQUISITION & ARCHIVE CURATION
As new material samples arrived, I organized and integrated them into the company’s existing archive, creating a more structured and accessible collection
The final acquisition total reached 289 physical samples. In parallel, I reviewed the legacy archive to remove duplicates, separate older or less relevant material from the primary collection, and retain the most useful existing samples alongside the newly sourced materials.
The result was a curated archive with a clearer category-based organization, combining newly acquired materials with selected legacy references and improving the library’s usability for future project research.
TECHNICAL STORAGE SYSTEM
To organize the collection within the new room, I developed a dedicated shelving system based on modular aluminium profiles. The design had to respond to the room layout, available wall surfaces and window heights while maintaining a consistent storage logic across the space.
I defined the main shelving configuration, including three full-height units and four lower units positioned beneath the windows. The lower units were adapted to the reduced height and completed with custom-cut shelf panels, while transparent storage boxes were used to organize materials by category.
I also prepared and coordinated the technical information required for fabrication and installation, translating the spatial concept into a practical storage system that could be produced and assembled by external suppliers.
PHYSICAL IMPLEMENTATION
Once the shelving system had been fabricated, I followed the installation and physical setup of the Material Library, coordinating the transition from the existing archive into the new storage system.
Newly acquired and selected legacy materials were progressively sorted, assigned to categories and transferred into transparent storage boxes. I also created the category labels used to organize the collection and make the archive easier to navigate and consult.
The implementation phase translated the research, archive curation and technical storage design into a functioning physical library, with the full-height and low shelving units working together as one coherent system.
FINAL RESULT
The project delivered a coordinated international showroom rollout across ten principal destinations, supported by a structured preparation process covering component verification, warehouse pre-assembly, destination-specific packing and shipment control.
My contribution connected supplier intake, warehouse execution, international shipment readiness and direct on-site operations in Milan, helping ensure that the showroom elements moved through each stage complete, controlled and ready for deployment and return.
