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Vittorio Gregotti (1927- 2020) was an important Italian architect, designer, design historian, theorist and critic, Gregotti was the editor of several leading Italian design journals. He graduated in architecture from Milan Polytechnic in 1952. He spent his lifetime working in the field as a practitioner, academic, and writer.

Biography

In 1974, he founded Gregotti Associati, of which he was president. He was a professor of architectural composition at the University of Venice, taught in architectural schools in Milan and Palermo, and visiting professor at many of the world’s leading architectural institutions.

Neo-Liberty movement

As a designer, he was associated with the Neo-Liberty movement in the 1950s, particularly the bentwood Cavour chair (1960) designed with his first architectural partners Giotto Stoppino Lodovico Meneghetti, with whom he was associated from 1953 to 1968. Early in his career, he also served as a jury member for the Compasso d’Oro design competition.

His work in design includes La Rinascente department stores, Ferrari graphics and several interior museums.

Vittorio Gregotti Sample of Works (1stDibs)

Exhibitions

He has participated in many international competitions, designing the XIII Milan Triennale section, for which he was awarded the International Grand Prize.

He was also Director of Fine Arts and Architecture at the Biennale of Venice from 1974 to 1976.

Design Writer

A prolific architectural and design writer, he has contributed to mainstream newspapers and the more specialised press. The latter included Casabella (1953–5) and Casabella‐Continuità, for which he was editor-in-chief from 1955 to 1963. He was also director of Edilizia moderna (1963–195), Rassegna (1979–1998) and Casabella (1982–1996). He has contributed to several key publications on Italian design, including a historical essay on the catalogue for Italy’s landmark exhibition:

Emilio Ambasz curated the New Domestic Landscape at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1972. He also wrote (with M. de Giorgi, A. Nulli, and G. Bosoni) the substantial text Disegno del prodotto industriale (Design of the Industrial Product, 1982).

Sources

Angelo Mangiarotti: Biography and Works | Poltrona Frau. https://www.poltronafrau.com/en/designer/angelo-mangiarotti

Woodham, J. M. (2006). A dictionary of modern design. Oxford University Press.

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    Vitorio Introini (b.1935) is an Italian architect. town planner, industrial designer and teacher. Education He studied architecture at the PolitecnicoRead More →

  • Nani Prina Italian Architect and Graphic Designer

    Nani Prina Italian Architect and Graphic Designer

    Nani Prina is an Italian architect and industrial and graphic designer. He was born and professionally active in Milan. HeRead More →

  • Osvaldo Borsani (1911 – 1985) Italian furniture designer and architect

    Osvaldo Borsani (1911 – 1985) Italian furniture designer and architect

    Osvaldo Borsani was born in Varedo Switzerland at the crossroads of craft and modern manufacturing. The son of a cabinetmaker, he trained as an architect in Milan in the 1930s, when the city was a centre of technological advancement and flourishing artistry, with the economic momentum to push both at speed.Read More →

  • “The Structures Tremble” Table 1979 by Ettore Sottsass

    “The Structures Tremble” Table 1979 by Ettore Sottsass

    Studio Alchymia was founded in 1976 in Milan as a think tank for designers who rebelled against modernism’s functionalist approach. Their products were intended as prototypes or unique exhibits. A perfect example of Alchymia’s philosophy is The Structures Tremble designed by Ettore Sottsass. Read More →

  • Mario Bellini (b.1935) Italy’s most versatile designer

    Mario Bellini (b.1935) Italy’s most versatile designer

    Mario Bellini is one of Italy’s most versatile designers. Trained as an architect, he is known for his furniture and industrial design work. The new forms he developed for contemporary technology and furniture objects inspired designers internationally.Read More →

  • Cristina Coral – Award-Winning Italian Photographer

    Cristina Coral – Award-Winning Italian Photographer

    She has lived her childhood in an artistic environment. She loves to explore the complex relationship between subject and environment. She has collaborated with a variety of magazines and brands.Read More →

  • Rinaldo Petrini ( b. 1931) Italian teacher and designer

    Rinaldo Petrini ( b. 1931) Italian teacher and designer

    1954, LDV Polytechnic, Alessandria, United Arab Emirates, diploma in architecture. 1968 – Master of Science, University of Tennessee. Doctor es Lettres, Paris, LaSorbonne, 1974. Ecole des Hautes Etudes, Paris, 1973–1974. Postgraduate architectural restoration, Ecole des Hautes Etudes, Paris, 1973–1974.Read More →

  • Pierluigi Cerri (b.1939) Italian Architect/Graphic/Exhibition Designer

    Pierluigi Cerri (b.1939) Italian Architect/Graphic/Exhibition Designer

    He was active as an exhibition designer, designed 1978 ‘Peter Behrens und die AEG’ exhibition, Berlin; 1978 ‘Carrozzeria Italiana’ exhibition, Turin and Rome; 1981 ‘Identité Italienne,’ Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris; 1983 ‘Alexander Calder’ exhibition, Turin; 1984 ‘Italian Design,’ Stuttgart and Tokyo; 1984 ‘Venti Progetti per il futuro del Lingotto,’ Turin; 1986 ‘Futurismo e Futurismi,’ Venice.…

  • Pier Luigi Nervi (1891 – 1971) – Italian Architect

    Pier Luigi Nervi (1891 – 1971) – Italian Architect

    After experience with a concrete contractor, he set up his firm in Bologna in 1923. His first structure was a 1927 cinema in Naples: His first important work was the 1930-32 Communal Stadium in Florence, widely published as an early example of Modern architecture. Read More →

  • Lapo Binazzi: Bridging the Gap Between Art and Design

    Lapo Binazzi: Bridging the Gap Between Art and Design

    Italian designer Lapo Binazzi, known for his eclectic contributions to fields like architecture, interior design, and performance art, challenged traditional design norms with large-scale installations and functional art pieces. His work, globally recognized and influential, blurred boundaries between artist and designer, expanding design’s scope into expressive communication.Read More →

  • Federico Carandini – Italian Industrial and furniture designer

    Federico Carandini – Italian Industrial and furniture designer

    Carandini is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the modern furniture industry. He is skilled in Strategy, Branding, Line Development, Design Management, Concept Development and Production Management. Strong arts and design professional with a BFA with university honours focused in Industrial Design from Carnegie Mellon University.Read More →

  • Carlo Guiliano (1831 – 1895) Italian Goldsmith and Jeweller

    Carlo Guiliano (1831 – 1895) Italian Goldsmith and Jeweller

    Carlo Guiliano was an Italian jeweller and goldsmith who was born in Naples and worked in London. In 1860, Guiliano settled in London and worked for Harry Emanuel. He collaborated with Castellani Italian Jewellers on at least one piece of jewellery. In the archaeological or Etruscan style, he was a talented jeweller. He developed his…

  • Andrea Branzi (b.1938) Italian furniture designer

    Andrea Branzi (b.1938) Italian furniture designer

    His theoretical furniture is well-known. He formed Archizoom Associati, an avant-garde group in Florence, in 1966 (with Paolo Deganello and others) that brought the irony of 1960s Anti-Design to furniture design.Read More →

  • Alessi Ercolino Bottle Opener w/ Pear Wood Handle

    Alessi Ercolino Bottle Opener w/ Pear Wood Handle

    The Alessi AB07 Ercolino Bottle Opener, designed by Andrea Branzi, represents a fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern design. Made of durable birch wood and stainless steel, it embodies Alessi’s mission of revitalizing traditional woodturning and elevating everyday objects into art.Read More →

  • The Officina Alessi SCOIATTOLO Nutcracker – Form & Function

    The Officina Alessi SCOIATTOLO Nutcracker – Form & Function

    Andrea Branzi’s SCOIATTOLO Nutcracker is a practical and aesthetic tool, combining 18/10 stainless steel and wood for durability and elegance. With its squirrel-inspired design and easy maintenance, it exemplifies thoughtful, eco-conscious design.Read More →

  • Pier Luigi Nervi – Fun Fact

    Pier Luigi Nervi – Fun Fact

    Pier Luigi Nervi, an influential Italian engineer and architect, is known for his innovative use of reinforced concrete and his notable works such as Rome’s Stadio Flaminio. His pioneer use of ferrocement and his teachings have significantly influenced modern architecture. Read More →

  • Elio Martinelli (1922 – 2004) Italian Lighting Designer

    Elio Martinelli (1922 – 2004) Italian Lighting Designer

    He and others founded a lighting company in 1942. In 1956, he founded the lighting firm Martinelli Luce in Lucca, designing plastics and metal and producing a perspex hanging lamp published in La Rivista dell’ Arredamento.Read More →

  • Carlo Bugatti (1855-1940) Italian designer and furniture maker

    Carlo Bugatti (1855-1940) Italian designer and furniture maker

    Carlo Bugatti was a leading figure in Italy’s design and decorative arts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Bugatti is perhaps best known for his exotic, handmade furniture designs. Many of the 19th century’s progressive developments, notably the British Arts and Crafts Movement and Art Nouveau, influenced his work. Read More →

  • Vittorio Gregotti (1927- 2020 ) Italian architect, designer, design historian

    Vittorio Gregotti (1927- 2020 ) Italian architect, designer, design historian

    Vittorio Gregotti (1927- 2020) was an important Italian architect, designer, design historian, theorist and critic, Gregotti was the editor of several leading Italian design journals. He graduated in architecture from Milan Polytechnic in 1952. He spent his lifetime working in the field as a practitioner, academic, and writer.Read More →

  • Bruno Gecchelin (b.1939) Italian Architect-Designer

    Bruno Gecchelin (b.1939) Italian Architect-Designer

    Beginning his professional career in 1962, he worked for many major firms; designed lighting for O-Luce, furniture for Busnelli and Frau, refrigerators and gas stoves for Indesit, glassware for Venini, items for Skipper and Fratelli Guzzini, 1989 Atelier 75 range of four kitchen utensils, and 1987—88 Shuttle range of track lighting. Read More →

  • Ignazio Gardella (1905 – 1999) Italian Architect-Designer

    Ignazio Gardella (1905 – 1999) Italian Architect-Designer

    Ignazio Gardella began working on architectural projects in Alessandria in 1929, including the Dispensario Antitubercolare (1929-1930), which is regarded as an example of Italian Rationalism, and the Laboratorio Provinciale di Igiene. He was laying the groundwork for his future career as an architect.Read More →

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Sigfried Giedion (1888 – 1968) – Swiss art historian and designer

Sigfried Giedion (1888-1968) was a Swiss art historian and designer. He was born in Prague. He studied engineering, at the Technische Hochschule, Vienna. Between 1916-22, he was a student of art history, Zurich, Berlin, and Munich, under Heinrich Wolfflin. In 1923, he met Walter Gropius at the Bauhaus, Dessau, and, in 1925, Le Corbusier in Paris.

Compasso d’Oro – most prestigious industrial design award in the world – Encyclopedia of Design

Embed from Getty Images Aldo Borletti founded the Compasso d’Oro (Golden Compass) competition and the award for product aesthetics at the Italian department store La Rinascente at the X Triennale (see Milan Triennale) in Milan in 1954. In Europe, the award was the first of its kind.

Enzo Frateilo (1914 – ) Italian Designer – Encyclopedia of Design

Enzo Frateili was an Italian designer born in Rome and active in Milan. Frateili began his professional career in 1955. In the early 50s, he worked at Stile Industrial. In 1962 he was the Italian correspondent to the journal form. His books included Archiektur und Komfort (1967) and Design e Civiltà della Machina (1969).

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