Marcello Piacentini (1881–1961) was an Italian urban theorist and one of the leading proponents of Italian Fascist architecture.
Education
He studied at the Accademia di San Luca, Rome.
Biography
He was born in Rome, the son of architect Pio Piacentini. At the age of 26, he was hired to redesign Bergamo’s historic centre and worked extensively throughout Italy. His most notable works, however, were commissioned by the Fascist government in Rome. Piacentini developed a style that blended elements of rationalism from the Gruppo 7, which included Giuseppe Terragni and Adalberto Libera, with the neoclassical influences of the Novecento Italiano group, led by Gio Ponti.
Embed from Getty ImagesTwo of his most renowned projects in Rome were the new university campus (Università di Roma La Sapienza, 1932) and the E.U.R. district, where he not only served as the designer but also held the esteemed position of High Commissar, appointed by Benito Mussolini. These structures became prominent examples of Fascist architecture in Rome. Piacentini’s achievements also encompassed the restoration of the Rome Opera House (1928–1958) and projects in Brescia, Livorno, and the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia in Reggio Calabria.
Piacentini gained recognition as a colonial architect, particularly in Eastern Libya’s Cyrenaica region. During Italy’s colonial era in the 1920s, he embraced the prevalent Neo-Moorish style, showcased in his Albergo Italia and the Berenice Theatre in Benghazi. Piacentini served as the project manager for all Italian construction endeavours in Cyrenaica. He made significant contributions to academia, serving as the president of La Sapienza University and working as a professor of urban planning there.
After the fall of the fascist government, Piacentini ceased practising architecture for several years and died in Rome.
Fascist 1960s Commissions
He was involved with the Fascists and their ill-defined architectural pursuits that combined the Novecento Itali- ano with neo-Classicism. His close alignment with the Fascists created numerous commissions. In Rome, he designed the buildings;
- 1911 ‘Esposizione Nazionale per il Cinquantenario dell’Unita d’Italia’, proposed a redesign (with Armando Brasini) of the curved side of the Piazza Navona,
- 1914—15 remodelling of the Quirino Theater,
- 1915—18 ‘Corso Cinema-Theater’ (with Giorgio Wenter-Marini) in the Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina,
- 1921 Villetta Novili (near Rome),
- 1921 prize-winning design of the Insti- tuto Nazionale per Instruzione Professionale,
- 1922 apartment at 42 Viale Parioli (now Viale Liegi),
- 1924 apartment building in the via Flaminia,
- 1925 “Grande Roma’ (utopian version of Rome) project,
- 1926 Hotel Ambasciatori,
- 1928 Casa Madre dei Mutilati,
- 1931 Theatro Barbarini,
- 1931—34 Church of Cristo Re,
- 1932 via Regina Elena,
- 1932 via della Conciliazione (with Attilio Spaccarelli),
- 1932—35 ‘Citta Universitaria’ (with Pietro Aschieri, Giuseppe Capponi, Arnaldo Foschini, Giovanni Michelucci, Gaetano Minnucci, Eugenio Montuori, Gio Ponti, and Faetano Rapisardi),
- Italian pavilion (with Cesare Valle) at the 1937 Paris ‘Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne,
- 1937—42 ‘Esposizione Universale di Roma’ satellite town (with Giuseppe Pagano, Luigi Piccinato, Ettore Rossi, and Luigi Vietti) near Rome for the ‘E42’ exhibition (unrealized),
- 1942 site plan (with others) and architectural supervision of the 1942 ‘Esposizione Universale di Roma’ and
- 1959 Palazzo dello Sport (with Luigi Nervi).
- He designed the 1917 proposed project for the centre of Bologna;
- 1923—28 Palazzo di Giustizia, Messina;
- 1925-28 ‘Monumento alla Vittoria, Bolzano;
- 1927-32 ‘Torrioni’ (12-storey tower), post office, and Tower of the Revolution in the Piazza della Vittoria, Brescia;
- 1938 via Roma, Turin; and
- 1942 Piazza della Vittoria, Genoa.
Piacentini significantly influenced 20th-century Italian architecture through his writings, buildings, and teaching.
Sources
Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing. https://amzn.to/3ElmSlL
Wikipedia contributors. (2022, April 24). Marcello Piacentini. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:11, July 29, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Marcello_Piacentini&oldid=1084454768
More Italian Designers
The Artistic Journey of Enzo Bioli: A Confluence of Design and Craftsmanship
Enzo Bioli, an influential Italian designer, crafted ceramic vases and furniture with a perfect blend of functionality and aesthetics, leaving a lasting impact on design education and industry.
Keep reading
Carlo Giuliano Victorian Gold Charm Bracelet with Heart Pendants
Carlo Giuliano’s 19th-century necklace, blending Italian craftsmanship with British elegance, features coral cameos and woven gold, symbolizing nature’s beauty and life’s cyclical nature.
Keep reading
Celebrating Iconic Design: The Supermoda Stripes Sofa by Andrea Branzi
The Supermoda Stripes Sofa, born from 1960s innovation, reimagined by Andrea Branzi, offers playful versatility and contemporary flair, inviting flexible living.
Keep reading
Italian Countryside Square Casserole: A Symphony of Design and Functionality
The Italian Countryside Square Casserole embodies Italian elegance and practicality. Crafted from high-quality stoneware, it offers durability and functionality for versatile cooking and baking.
Keep reading
Sublime Carafe with Cork Designed by Luigi Bormioli: A Synthesis of Elegance and Innovation
Luigi Bormioli’s Sublime Carafe: a blend of historic craftsmanship and modern innovation, offering eco-friendly elegance and enduring Italian tradition.
Keep reading
Pier Luigi Nervi: Minimum Series
The monograph “Pier Luigi Nervi: Minimum Series” offers a comprehensive exploration of the influential architect and engineer’s works, providing insights through primary sources and visual interpretations.
Keep reading
Anna Gili: A Confluence of Art and Design
Anna Gili, an influential Italian designer, showcases a unique blend of art and functional design. Her global recognition and post-radical approach redefine design norms.
Keep reading
Carlo Scarpa: Architecture and Design – Book
Carlo Scarpa: Architecture and Design showcases the iconic architect’s mastery and legacy, inspiring a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity in contemporary design.
Keep reading
Robby Cantarutti: A Beacon of Italian Rationalism in Modern Design
Explore the fascinating designs of Robby Cantarutti – the Italian Rationalist. Discover why he is an iconic figure in the architecture and industrial design world and appreciate his blending of functionality and beauty.
Keep reading
Anna Castelli Ferrieri: Pioneering Architect and Industrial Designer
Anna Castelli Ferrieri, a groundbreaking architect and industrial designer, co-founded Kartell, revolutionizing the use of plastics in modern design through iconic creations like the Componibili.
Keep reading
Unveiling the Artistry of Baldessari e Baldessari
Explore the legacy of Baldessari e Baldessari, founded by the Baldessari siblings–Giulio, Paolo, and Michela.
Keep reading
Fontana Arte: A Journey Through Glass and Light
Fontana Arte, established in the 1930s by Gio Ponti, is a cornerstone of Italian design. Despite post-war challenges and shifts in ownership, the brand consistently maintains quality and creativity, further enhancing their prestige through collaborations with renowned designers and continuously innovating their product offerings.
Keep reading
Leonardo Fioravanti: Master of Automotive Design
Fioravanti, a celebrated automotive designer, has significantly influenced the industry with his visionary designs at Pininfarina, especially through collaborations with Ferrari. His pioneering work includes the Peugeot 205 and groundbreaking aerodynamic research with the CNR experimental vehicle.
Keep reading
ILIO 10 SPECIAL EDITION: Timeless Functionality
Artemide launches the ILIO 10 Special Edition lamp to celebrate the original ILIO’s 10th anniversary, featuring a sustainable shaded metal finish, dynamic light management via an app, and a commemorative laser-engraved signature, signifying the brand’s commitment to design excellence and sustainability.
Keep reading
Franco Raggi: A Luminary in Italian Design and Architecture
Franco Raggi, born in 1945, has contributed greatly to the design and architecture fields for over five decades. His designs are celebrated globally, with work showcased in various esteemed institutions. Besides his design work, Raggi has also garnered recognition as a curator and educator.
Keep reading
Paolo Buffa: A Maestro of Mid-Century Italian Furniture Design
Paolo Buffa, influential mid-century Italian designer, is known for his fusion of traditional and modern aesthetics. Trained at Milan’s Polytechnic Institute and mentored by Gio Ponti, his acclaimed works now define the era and remain popular among collectors.
Keep reading
Marco Acerbis: The Architect of Versatility in Modern Design
Marco Acerbis, a stalwart in architecture and design, carved a unique career path beginning with prestigious Foster+Partners, before starting an independent, Italian practice. A proponent for interdisciplinary design, Acerbis promotes sustainability and uses advanced technology, shaping the landscape of modern design.
Keep reading
Barbara Radice: The Chronicler of Memphis Design
Italian design critic Barbara Radice is renowned for shaping the narrative of the Memphis Group, a 1980s postmodern design collective. Her works, including the influential “Memphis: Research, Experiences, Results, Failures and Successes of New Design,” have provided critical insight into the group’s multidisciplinary output.
Keep reading
Aldo Rossi (1931 – 1997), Italian Designer and Architect
Aldo Rossi (1931 – 1997) was an Italian architect. He was born and professionally active in Milan.
He is considered by many to be the greatest Italian architect of the second half of the 20th century. His life as an architect began with Gardella and Zanuso.
Keep reading
Franco Mirenzi ( b. 1942 ) Italian Industrial Designer
Franco Mirenzi, born in 1942, is an Italian industrial designer known for his furniture, lighting, and hi-fi equipment. His recent work includes the Sealed wall partitioning module.
Keep reading
Rodolfo Dordoni Designer Italian Architect and All-Rounder
Rodolfo Dordoni, a renowned designer and architect, left a timeless legacy with visionary work in lighting and furniture design. He passed away at 69.
Keep reading
Massimo Morozzi (b. 1941) The Visionary Pioneer of Italian Design
He created Archizoom Associati in 1968 with Andrea Branzi, Gilberto Corretti, and Paolo Deganello, which developed industrial and architectural designs and urban planning and was a notable Italian architecture practice until 1972.
Keep reading
Laura Griziotti (b.1942) Italian Architect & Designer
Laura Griziotti, Italian architect and designer, born in Seregno in 1942. Studied architecture at Politecnico di Milano and professionally active in Milan. Collaborated with renowned architects and designers.
Keep reading
Giorgina Castiglioni Italian Architect and Designer
Giorgina Castiglioni is an Italian architect and designer who studied architecture at Milan Polytechnic (1969). She is Giannino Castiglioni’s granddaughter, a famous sculptor, and the daughter of Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, an architect and professor.
Keep reading
Angelo Cortesi: A Visionary Italian Industrial Designer
Angelo Cortesi is an esteemed Italian industrial designer known for his innovative and functional designs. With a career spanning several decades, Cortesi has left a lasting impact on the design world. From his collaborations with renowned clients to his leadership roles in prestigious organizations, Cortesi’s work continues to inspire designers globally. His numerous awards, including…
Keep reading
Pucci De Rossi (1947 – 2013), Italian furniture designer and artist
Pucci de Rossi was an Italian designer born in Verona and trained with American sculptor H.B. Walker. Pucci de Rossi (1947-2013) is an unusual designer and artist. Jewellery, furniture, sculpture, painting: his works, visually striking and functional, refer to Arte Povera and the neo-baroque work of the Memphis studio.
Keep reading
Ambrogio Pozzi (b.1931) Italian Industrial Designer
Ambrogio Pozzi, an Italian designer from Franco Pozzi Ceramics, revolutionized traditional product designs. Known for his Compact coffee service and Duo dinnerware, he collaborated with renowned brands and won multiple awards, including the Compasso d’Oro.
Keep reading
Franco Deboni: A Luminary in Italian Glassware and Architecture
Franco Deboni, an influential Italian glassware designer, showcased versatility in architecture and design. His work, publications, and curatorial endeavors solidify his lasting impact.
Keep reading
Gillo Dorfles (1910 – 2018) Italian art critic, painter, and philosopher
Gillo Dorfles (1910 – 2018) was an Italian art critic, painter, and philosopher. He was born in Trieste and active in Milan.
Keep reading
Lino Tagliapietra (b.1934) Italian Glassworker and Teacher
From 1956, Tagliapietra taught glassmaking with Archimede Seguso and Nane Ferro; 1966—68, designed glass for Venini, Murano; until 1968, for Murrina; from 1968, taught glassmaking at Haystack School and Pilchuck School, Stanwood, Washington.
Keep reading
Gino Valle (1923 – 2003) Italian Architect, Designer and Town Planner
Gino Valle (1923 – 2003), an Italian architect and designer from Udine, was known for his Brutalist and Rationalist buildings, automated schedule boards, and industrial designs.
Keep reading
Marilena Boccato Italian Product Designer
Marilena Boccato is a designer from Italy who worked in Treviso and Padua. In 1967, Boccato began her professional career. She collaborated with Gian Nicola Gigante and Antonio Zambusi.
Keep reading
Gruppo 9999 Italian Architecture and Design Group
Gruppo 9999 was a group of radical architects founded in Florence in 1968 by Giorgio Birelli, Carlo Caldini, Fabrizio Fiumi and Paolo Galli.
Keep reading
Livio Castiglioni (1911-1979): Italian Industrial Designer and Lighting Innovator
In 1938, Castiglioni and his brother Pier Giacomo Castiglioni set up a studio with Luigi Caccia Dominioni, which closed in 1940.
Keep reading
Luminous Elegance: The Iconic DL8 Lucciola Table Light by Fabio Lenci (c.1972)
Discover the timeless beauty of the DL8 Lucciola table light designed by Fabio Lenci in approximately 1972. This iconic lighting fixture boasts an aluminum base and reflector, chrome-plated tubular metal stem, and captivating methacrylate disks. Standing at a maximum height of 72 cm, this masterpiece combines sleek aesthetics with functional brilliance, creating an illuminating ambiance…
Keep reading
Luca Erba (b. 1984) Italian Designer & Architect
Luca Erba, an Italian architect and designer, graduated from the Polytechnic University of Milan. He aims to create enduring products with a blend of contemporary and traditional elements.
Keep reading
Alessandro Mendini (b.1931) Italy’s Famous Design Thinker
Alessandro Mendini, influential Italian designer, co-founded Studio Alchymia, promoted unconventional “Banal Design,” and won multiple international awards, shaping Italian design.
Keep reading
Italian Association for Industrial Design (ADI)
The Association of Industrial Design (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale) (ADI) Since 1956, has brought together designers, companies, researchers, teachers, critics, journalists around the themes of Italian industrial design. It is the lead organisation of the development of industrial design as a cultural and economic phenomenon in Italy.
Keep reading
Franca Stagi (1937 – 2008), Italian Industrial Designer and Architect
Franca Stagi, an Italian industrial designer, collaborated with Cesare Leonardi to create iconic pieces like the Dondolo rocking chair, showcased in international exhibitions.
Keep reading
The Olivetti Lettera 22 Typewriter – Lightweight and Compact
Olivetti’s 1950 Olivetti 22 typewriter became the standard for portable typewriters. Marcello Nizzoli’s Typewriter won the Compasso d’Oro at the 10th Triennale in Rome in 1951. Ettore Sottsass would further develop this design in the 1964 Teckne 3.
Keep reading
Marco Zotta (b.1945) Italian Industrial Designer
He designed furniture and furnishings, lighting for clients including Fargas, Le Cose, Studio Grando, Stilnovo and Evoluzione. He became a member of ADI (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale).
Keep reading
Marco Zanuso Sr. (1916 – 2001) Italian architect and designer
Marco Zanuso Sr. was an Italian architect and designer. He was born in Milan. He studied architecture at the Politecnico di Milano, to 1939.
Keep reading
Halogen Bulbs Revolutionised Home Lighting
The halogen bulb is the first new invention to completely transform the lighting industry since Thomas Alva Edison succeeded in creating the incandescent lamp by successfully making a loop of carbonized cotton thread glow in a vacuum for 40 hours.
Keep reading
Enzo Frateili (1914 – 1993) Italian Designer
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). The…
Keep reading
Tomas Maldonado (1922- 2018) Italian Design Theorist
Tomas Maldonado was an Italian design theorist and industrial designer who led a revolt against aesthetic taste and functional problem-solving in design thinking. Max Bill’s goal was to bring back the Bauhaus ideas and make Germany the centre of design after the war.
Keep reading
The P40 Articulated Lounge Chair – Machine for Sitting
Osvaldo Borsani Armchair (P40) 1955, articulated chaise longue. The rubber-armed chair was a sophisticated ‘machine for sitting’ that could it was claimed, assume 486 positions.
Keep reading
Franco Fontana ( b.1933 ) Italian Photographer – Abstracted Urbanity
Fontana has shot advertisements for brands such as Fiat, Volkswagen, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, Snam, Sony, Volvo, Versace, Canon, Kodak, Robe di Kappa, Swissair, and the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and The New York Times.
Keep reading
La Danese Italian Domestic Goods Manufacturer
La Danese was founded in Milan by Bruno Danese and Jacqueline Vodoz. The company specialised in editing, designing, and marketing well‐designed everyday products with a modern aesthetic. There were three significant focus areas: domestic and office products, artistic editions, and children’s games and creative play stimuli.
Keep reading
Kartell Milanese Furniture Manufacture | High Quality Plastic
Kartell, a Milanese furniture manufacturer founded in 1949, specialized in innovative plastic injection moldings and modern designs. It expanded globally, earning $100 million annually.
Keep reading
Flos Italian Lighting Manufacturer
Flos, established in 1962 by Dino Gavina, specializes in lighting. The company has a strong design legacy and has worked with renowned designers.
Keep reading
Zanussi Italian manufacturer and design firm
Antonio Zanussi established the household appliance firm in Pordenone in 1916. It was initially a workshop for repairing stoves. His sons and Guido and Lino took over on his death in 1946, and under them, the firm began its rise.
Keep reading
Archizoom Avant-garde Italian Design Studio
Four architects—Andrea Branzi, Gilberto Corretti, Paolo Deganello, Massimo Morozzi—and two designers—Dario Bartolini and Lucia Bartolini—founded Archizoom this Italian avant-garde design studio in 1966 in Florence, Italy. They focused on exhibition installations and architecture and designing interiors and goods as part of the Italian Anti-Design or Radical Design movement.
Keep reading
Alberto Rosselli (1921-76), Italian Architect and Industrial Designer
Alberto Rosselli (1921-76) Italian architect and industrial designer. He was born in Palermo. He was professionally active in Milan.
Keep reading
Vittorio Valabrega (1861- 1952) Italian Furniture Design
Vittorio Valabrega, an Italian furniture manufacturer, rose to prominence in the late 19th century for his innovative, wooden furniture designs displayed at various international exhibitions.
Keep reading
Ashoka Table Lamp – Less is a Bore
For the introductory 1981 MEMPHIS set, the Ashoka table lamp is an early Ettore Sottsass lighting masterwork as iconoclastic a light/sculpture as you can find anywhere!!
Keep reading
Roberto Pamio (b.1937) Italian Architect and Designer
He became active in 1961 as an architect and furniture and industrial designer; (with Renato Tosso) collaborated on furniture and lighting; had clients including Zanussi-Rex, Peguri, Stilwood, Arclinea, Cidue, FAI, Leucos, and Arflex.
Keep reading
Luciano Baldessari (1896 – 1982) Italian Designer
Luciano Baldessari was an Italian designer and architect who collaborated with Futurist artist Fortunato Depero and published the 1929 Luminator torchère. He designed the 1929-32 De Angeli Frua Press building, Craja bar, Cima chocolate manufacture, Vesta Pavilion, Milan Triennale, and Breda Pavilion.
Keep reading
A Glimpse of David Palterer an Israeli Designer
David Palterer is an Israeli designer born in Haifa. He is professionally active in Florence.
Keep reading
Benedikt Bolza – Italian Nobleman, Architect, Interior Designer
Trained as an architect in London, he and a team of 120 transform centuries-old stone ruins into exquisite dwellings at Castello di Reschio, a 3,000-acre private community in Umbria, Italy, on land originally purchased by his parents.
Keep reading
Arteluce Italian Lighting Firm (1939)
Arteluce Italian Lighting Firm it was one of the modest businesses that contributed to Italian design’s international success in the 1950s. READ MORE
Keep reading
Antonia Astori (b.1940) Co-founded Driade
Antonia Astori co-founded Driade with her brother Enrico and Adelaide Acerbi in 1968. She was able to create a unique network of furniture designers, galleries, and shops.
Keep reading
Agostino Lauro (1861 – 1924) Italian Designer
Agostino Lauro was an Italian designer and entrepreneur with a reputation for private commissions and public buildings.
Keep reading
Ennio Lucini (b.1934) Italian, Packaging, Product, Graphic Designer
He executed small objects for the home in ceramics and glass produced by Gabbianelli and metalware by Barazzoni. He designed the hemispherical Ponte di Brera drinking glasses (from 1965 by Ponte di Brera, 1968—75 by Gabbianelli) and 1968 Tummy range of stainless-steel cookware by Barazoni.
Keep reading
Harry Bertoia (1915 – 1978) Italian Sculptor, Furniture Designer
Harry Bertoia was a sculptor, printmaker, jeweller, and furniture designer. He was born in San Lorenzo, Udine, and worked in the United States professionally. During World War Two he worked with Ray and Charles Eames on moulded-plywood technology. He worked primarily as a sculptor from the mid-1950s onwards. His sculpture was prominently featured in many…
Keep reading
Gio Ponti (1891-1979) Italian Designer, Writer and Teacher
Gio Ponti was an influential writer, teacher, and practising architect who was one of the most influential figures in twentieth-century Italian design. In a long and illustrious career, he worked in a wide variety of design fields, from interiors to furniture and product design, understanding the value of craft traditions alongside creating a new aesthetic.
Keep reading
Ico Parisi (1916 – 1996) Italian Furniture Designer
Ico Parisi was an Italian architect and designer of the modernist style who worked with Luisa Aiani and opened La Ruota in 1947. LEARN MORE
Keep reading
Enzo Mari (1932 -2020) Italian Modernist, Industrial Designer
Inventor of commonplace items whose radical politics were incorporated into their creations
Enzo Mari (1932 – 2020) was an Italian modernist and furniture designer who lived from 1932 to 2020. TELL ME MORE
Keep reading
Vico Magistretti (1920 – 2006) Italian Architect/Designer
In 1920 Vico Magistretti was born in Milan, Italy. First recognition of his work came in 1948, at the 8th Triennale. He started designing for Cassina in 1960, and from that date on his signature is to be found on many products.
Keep reading
Antonio Citterio ( b.1950 ) Italian Furniture Designer
Antonio Citterio is a leading Italian architect and interior designer, furniture and industrial designer. Citterio explored the possibilities of new materials and technologies rather than aligning himself with New Design’s more fashionable aesthetics.
Keep reading
Rodolfo Bonetto – Italian furniture & Industrial Designer
Rodolfo Bonetto (1929 – 1991) was Italian furniture and industrial designer. He began his design career at the Pininfarina automobile body design firm. In 1958, he founded his studio. Between 1963-69, was a member of ADI (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale) advisory committee and participated in numerous other professional organisations.
Keep reading
Eugenio Quarti (1867 – 1931) Italian Furniture Designer
Eugenio Quarto (1867 – 1931) was an Italian furniture designer who was born near Bergamo. He was professionally based in Milan.
Keep reading
Studio Alchimia Italian Design Collaborative
Studio Alchimia Italian design collaborative located in Milan. Alessandro Guerriero (b. 1943), an architect, created Studio Alchimia in 1976 as a gallery to show experimental work that was not limited by industrial production.
Keep reading
Memphis Group – It has Little to do with Tennessee
The Memphis Group, led by Ettore Sottsass, revolutionized interior design with bold, asymmetrical, and colorful furniture and accessories. Their impact was both divisive and influential.
Keep reading
Pietro Chiesa (1892 – 1948) 🇮🇹 Italian Furniture and Glassware
He was an apprentice in the studio of Giovan Battista Gianotti, painter, furniture designer, and decorator; in 1921, opened Bot- tega di Pietro Chiesa, Milan; in 1927, (with Gio Ponti, Michele Marelli, Tomaso Buzzi, Emilio Lancia, and Paolo Venini) founded Il Labirinto, which produced high-quality glassware.
Keep reading
Michele De Lucchi (b.1951) Italian Architect and Designer
Michele De Lucchi, an Italian architect and designer, is known for his influential works and collaborations, experimenting with new forms, and creating iconic furniture designs.
Keep reading
Davide Mercatali (b.1948) Italian Designer
He worked independently as a graphic and product designer and illustrator for advertising agencies, publishers, and his clients; he worked for the Societa Donchi Formart, Milan. In 1978, with Paolo Pedrizzetti, he set up an industrial design studio where he initially designed materials and tiles. He worked on promotional accessories, point-of-sale displays in retail stores,…
Keep reading
Fabio Lenci (b.1935) Italian Designer
Fabio Lenci (1935 – ) is an Italian Designer. He received his design education in Rome. He began his professional career in 1966. He set up a shop for contemporary furniture in Rome.
Keep reading
Giovanni Battista Gianotti: A Maestro of Liberty and Art Deco
Giovanni Battista Gianotti, a visionary designer blending Art Deco and Liberty styles, left a global legacy in decorative arts until his tragic end in 1928.
Keep reading
Giovanni Pintori – Italian Graphic Designer
Giovanni Pintori, an Italian graphic designer known for his work with Olivetti, created minimalist designs using geometric shapes and symbols. He won numerous awards and continued his work independently.
Keep reading
Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007) Father of Anti-Design
Ettore Sottsass, an influential Austrian designer, defied traditional design principles by integrating art, humor, and kitsch in everyday items, leaving a lasting impact.
Keep reading
Gianni Pasini (b.1937) Italian Designer – Electronic Machinery
Gianni Pasini was born in 1937 in Venice and professionally active in Milan. Some of his clients were Olivetti, Fabbrica Italiana, Magneti Marelli, and Crin hospital. He worked with Sandro Pasqui in a design studio from 1974 onwards.
Keep reading
Matteo Thun (b.1952) Italian Ceramicist and Designer
We reject design as an issue of taste! We follow a different strategy: Simplicity. We always search for the iconic form and create things that people can understand intuitively. We,
Keep reading
George Sowden – British/Italian Designer
George James Sowden is a British designer. He was born in Leeds and active Italy. Between 1960-64 and 1966-68, he studied architecture, Gloucester College of Arts.
Keep reading
Proust Armchair (1978) – Luxury Comes in All Forms
The Studio Alchimia in Milan was founded in 1976 and exhibited its first collection in 1979. Alessandro Mendini’s Proust armchair is one of the most unusual pieces from the Bau.Haus collection. It was made in a small number and individually painted to express the collective’s unease with mass production.
Keep reading
Bruno Gregori (b.1954) Italian Furniture Designer
He was one of the founders of Alchimia in 1976. He was particularly active in its graphics program
Keep reading
Carlo Zen (1851 – 1918) Italian Cabinetmaker
From cl1880, Zen directed the most crucial furniture workshop in Milan. He was active in the stile floreale, continued after the 1902 Turin ‘Esposizione Internazionale d’Arte Decorativa Moderna’ to be known for his Art Nouveau and Symbolist motifs. He was not a designer himself but instead a factory owner and manager. From 1898, his firm…
Keep reading
Daniela Puppa (b.1947) Eclectic Italian Architect and Designer
From 1977 to 1983, he worked as the chief editor of the design magazine Modo and as a consultant for the fashion magazine Donna. She designed interiors for Driade, Gianfranco Ferré, Montres and GFF Duty Free, Fontana Arte, Granciclismo sports machines, and Morassutti/Metropolis, as well as serving as an image and product consultant for the…
Keep reading
Roberto Lucci (b.1942) Italian Furniture Designer
He worked with Marco Zanuso for several years. In 1970, he and Paolo Orlandini collaborated independently for several clients, designing lamps and chairs produced by Artemide and Martinelli Luce.
Keep reading
Franco Albini (1905-1977) Italian Architect and Designer
Franco Albini’s design work encompassed a wide variety of disciplines, including furniture, interior, and product design, architecture, planning, and museum design.
Keep reading
Aldo Cibic (b.1955) Self-taught Italian Architect and Designer
Aldo Cibic is a self-taught architect, designer, researcher, environmentalist and humanist. He was born in Vicenza and professionally active in Milan.
Keep reading
Vittorio Introini (b.1935) Italian Designer and Architect
Vitorio Introini (b.1935) is an Italian architect. town planner, industrial designer and teacher. Education He studied architecture at the Politecnico di Milano, to 1961. Biography From 1963 he worked as a consultant designer at Saporiti and later for its affliate Proposals; designed Saporiti furnishings including a 1969 library system and its New York showroom in…
Keep reading
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. He studied at the Politecnico di Milano. Nani Prina, Sormani, Italy, 1968 Professional Career He began his professional career in industrial design in 1968. Prina’s writing and publishing activities were extensive. He researched plastics, Prina’s first…
Keep reading
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.
Keep reading
“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.
Keep reading
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.
Keep reading
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.
Keep reading
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.
Keep reading
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.…
Keep reading
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.
Keep reading
Lapo Binazzi: Bridging the Gap Between Art and Design
Lapo Binazzi, an influential Italian designer, explored diverse fields like architecture, interior design, and performance art, challenging design norms globally. His legacy inspires boundary-pushing creativity.
Keep reading