Photosynthesis in the meeting room: Cleto Matteotti’s living table presented at Hospitality

A table whose work surface is real grass, not synthetic. Just like a lawn. This is the idea conceived by Cleto Matteotti, landscape gardener and lecturer at the Scuola Agraria di San Michele. The project, named “Photosynthesis – Prototype of a Living Table”, features a table approximately three and a half metres by one metre, whose surface is made from a turf mat, placed on three layers of materials designed to retain moisture and preserve heat. Above the table, special lamps are installed to stimulate photosynthesis and support the grass’s growth.

Under these conditions, the grass covering should remain intact long enough for the table to be used for meetings, occasional work, or even as a dining table. Maintenance? Minimal: a little water periodically and a trim when the grass blades grow too long. In case of wear, the turf can simply be replaced – usually rolled out in mats – at a cost of just a few dozen euros.

According to Matteotti, such a product would be particularly suitable for executive meeting rooms, introducing a natural element in contrast with modern design: a truly original and striking statement piece. In an open-air setting, it would also make a strong visual impact in a reception area. At present, Photosynthesis is still experimental, aimed at determining the amount of light needed to keep the turf in optimal condition and the required water levels.

At the Outdoor Boom Arena, within Hospitality – Il Salone dell’Accoglienza, the table has been tested indoors in a setting similar to an office, used for official presentations. Three days after installation, and with a single irrigation of five litres of water, roots began to emerge from the underside of the turf, demonstrating that the natural growth process works even in this environment.

Once the right balance is achieved, Matteotti, through his company L’Erba del Vicino, aims to commercialise an idea that, in theory, brings a touch of nature even to spaces where comfort is usually provided by technological solutions.