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Cristian Branea was born in 1976 in Brasov, a city in Transylvania, Romania. 

He studied contemporary philosophy, cultural studies, and has a Ph.D. in political ecology. 

A self-taught designer, Cristian created Materia Studio in 2014 as a design studio and manufacture company. His interest in materiality - be it the expressive power of natural raw materials, or the conceptual aspects of man-made, innovative engineered materials - is the main drive behind the brand and the products.

In the manufacturing process, Cristian works with a number of craftsmen and artisans from Transylvania, a region with a strong heritage in woodworking and craftsmanship.

Cristian's designs attracted international attention and were distinguished with numerous international design awards in Italy, United States of America, Singapore, Slovenia, and Romania.