The iconic Italian design masters were revered and immortalized by their array of forward-thinking designs that brought new tasteful products not just to Italy, but to the world. Whether they were known for towering skyscrapers, their bar stools or their sofas, these architects and artists brought modernity and sleekness to their creations and to the people they benefited.
Gio Ponti
Ponti is an Italian design master and architect who left his mark not just in Italy, but all over the world. He’s built more than a hundred buildings worldwide. As a man ahead of his time, his designs and architecture reflected his modernity. In 1956 he designed the Villa Arreaza in Caracas. This home broke away from the traditional standard with its wide rectangular stretch of downward sloping roof and windows designed to let in the beautiful view and light of the surrounding landscape. His Pirelli Tower, a 32-story skyscraper, still stands tall over Milan.
Ponti is also known for his most recognized work created in 1955, the Superleggera chair, which translates as “super lightweight.” The chair, built to be both sleek and light, was also known for its practicality and low cost, which made it a coveted product.
The unique catch phrase “from the spoon to the city”, referring to Gio Ponti, exemplifies Ponti’s personality. He was known for taking on projects ranging from the infinitely small to the infinitely large—paying attention to the details and the picture.
Franco Albini
Italian design master, Franco Albini, was a major figure during the neo-rationalist movement of art, admired for his ability to create furniture that reflected traditional styles while also weaving in hints of modernism. Albini, who for a time studied under Ponti, strived for a minimalist aesthetic and wanted to create pieces from the raw inexpensive materials that surrounded him. One of his first successful works was a portable radio supported by glass panes, created in 1939, and is now considered a vintage relic.
Another piece now considered iconic, the “Albini Desk,” strikes a minimalist balance with its combination of steel, glass and wood. The desk is light and subtle, and its main appeal is its timeless simplicity, a celebrated concept.
Ettore Sottsass
Ettore Sottsass worked as an architect under his father in his early years. As he matured he further diversified his passions, which included furniture, jewelry, lighting, and home and office design.
During his work as a consultant for Adriano Olivetti, he developed Italy’s first mainframe computer, the Elea 9003, which won him an award in 1959. The artist, through his style and modernization, created a trend by mainstreaming office supply style. He was also the founder of the art organization, Memphis Group, which formed as a postmodernism group in the 1980s. The artist advocated for bolder primary colors that fell into place with the new rebellious era.
Achille Castiglioni
Italian design master, Achille Castiglioni, designed over 150 objects that ranged from lamps to car seats. Castiglioni’s self-spoken philosophy involves starting from scratch, being aware of the present resources, and knowing how to use them to create original material.
One example of this in practice is the artist’s Sella stool, which was designed in 1957. It was made with a leather bicycle seat and a tubular metal stem that sits on a rounded iron base. What makes it unique is its ability to swivel and pivot, adding a distinctive and more convenient practical function. Castiglioni’s innovation added a new chapter in Italian design and helped boost the economy.
Joe Colombo
Joe Colombo is known for his chic bachelor-pad style designs, furniture, and other future-oriented projects. He developed a sleek portable storage unit in 1969, which remains on display in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The designer was less concerned about the looks of his products; he was more so intent on learning how people made used of them.
The Multi-chair, created by Colombo in 1970, was designed with synthetic fabric metal and leather. It can be assembled a variety of ways to allow users to sit in different positions, however they feel most comfortable. The Additional Living System, 1967, was another reimagined sofa of versatile design made out of slices of upholstered metal and foam that people can use to mix and match and create their own arrangements to their liking.