Ultraleggera: A Design Journey with Marcello Gandini Between Italy and Qatar

Marcello Gandini’s revolutionary approach to automotive design reshaped the industry with iconic creations like the Lamborghini Miura, Countach, Diablo, and Lancia Stratos. Ultraleggera: A Design Journey with Marcello Gandini Between Italy and Qatar celebrates Gandini’s visionary legacy by pairing his groundbreaking work with the experimental designs of Qatar’s emerging talents.

Co-produced by the Qatar Auto Museum (QAM), Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile (MAUTO), and Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), this exhibition explores Gandini’s pioneering lightweight engineering philosophy, which emphasised reducing vehicle weight without compromising structural integrity or performance. His radical approach (seen in his innovative use of materials and aerodynamics) helped shape the future of high-performance automotive design and continues to influence modern vehicles.

The exhibition is designed by VCUarts Qatar associate professor Simone Carena and co-curated by Marzia Gandini, daughter of Marcello Gandini and founder of Think PR, and Gautam Sen, author of the latest book about Gandini’s automotive design. It offers visitors a unique dialogue between Gandini’s legendary work and innovative student creations from VCUarts Qatar. On display are original sketches, prototypes, archival materials, and important models, illustrating his bold aesthetic choices and technical ingenuity.

A highlight of the exhibition is the experimental work by VCUarts Qatar students, inspired by the 2024 Moving Interiors with Marcello Gandini Masterclass. This unique educational initiative challenged students to rethink automotive interiors, incorporating principles of motion, lightness, and modularity into their designs. Through cutting-edge 3D-printed ‘moving interior’ installations and conceptual models, the students explore new possibilities in automotive spaces, extending Gandini’s philosophy into contemporary design thinking. Their designs serve as a testament to Gandini’s enduring impact, illustrating how his principles continue to inspire bold innovation among Qatar’s rising design talents.

The exhibition embodies a spirit of cultural exchange between Italy and Qatar, reflecting a shared commitment to innovation, design excellence, and cross-cultural dialogue.

Ultraleggera marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between QAM and MAUTO, reinforcing the power of design as a universal language and fostering future partnerships in automotive design education and innovation. By integrating Gandini’s iconic designs with experimental student projects, the exhibition offers a dynamic and thought-provoking experience, honouring his legacy while inspiring future generations of automotive designers. The exhibition brings Gandini’s knowledge and legacy to Qatar while showcasing the creativity of Qatar-based students in Italy. As part of this exchange, the exhibition will travel to MAUTO in June 2025, further strengthening cross-cultural dialogue in automotive design.

Teacher Resource: Exploring Ultraleggera

This downloadable teacher guide is designed to support educators in facilitating meaningful engagement with the Ultraleggera exhibition. It includes background context on the exhibition’s themes, suggested discussion prompts, and adaptable classroom activities aimed at students of various age groups. The guide encourages critical thinking around design, innovation, and mobility while fostering creative exploration in the classroom and beyond.