While in the 1980s the Memphis movement was attracting enormous attention for its energy, Ettore Sottsass was setting up a design consultancy firm, which he gave the name of Sottsass Associati. The studio, founded in 1980, gave the possibility to create large-scale architecture and to deal with the interior design of important international companies. The study was based on the cultural guidance of Ettore Sottsass and the work done by the talent and energy of his associates. Over the years, several associates have come and gone, often to open their own practice; among these, there are young designers and architects such as Johanna Grawunder, Marco Zanini, Matteo Thun, Aldo Cibic, Marco Susani, James Irvine, Mike Ryan, Gerry Taylor, Christoph Radl, Mario Milizia and Christopher Redfern. Sottsass associates are now located in London and Milan and continue to support the firm's work, philosophy and culture.