The initial conditions for morphogenesis trigger a cascade of events that ultimately dictate structure and functions of tissues and organs. Here we report that surface nanopatterning can control the initial assembly of focal adhesions, hence guiding human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs) through the process of self-organization and differentiation. This process self-sustains leading to the development of macroscopic tissues with molecular profiles and microarchitecture reminiscent of embryonic tendons. Therefore, material surfaces can be in principle engineered to set off the hMSC program towards tissuegenesis in a deterministic manner by providing adequate sets of initial environmental conditions.