Achille Castiglioni

Achille Castiglioni 1918-2002

Born in Milan in 1918, Achille Castiglioni was a prominent Italian architect and industrial designer. After World War II, Castiglioni set up a design studio early on with his two brothers, Livio and Giacomo, focusing on urban planning, architecture and design.

Design from everyday life

In addition to this, Castiglioni also taught as a professor at the Faculty of Architecture in Turin and at the Polytechnic University of Milan, where he had previously been a student. Castiglioni was highly industrial orientated and was inspired by everyday objects, often using simple and common materials. He preferred to use as few materials as possible, instead using shapes to create maximum effect. During his lifetime he designed over 150 products and many of his most famous pieces of furniture and lamps are still being designed today.

Achille Castiglioni was highly industrial orientated and was constantly inspired by everyday objects. He often used simple and common materials, preferring to use as few materials as possible to create shapes with maximum effect. His designs can be summarised as a mix of simplicity, irony and joy, but also his interest in both the manufacturing process and new materials.

Collaborations

Simple everyday objects became sophisticated design solutions through Castiglioni's designs. Livio abandoned the collaboration early on and when his other brother Giacomo died in 1968, Achille continued on his own. Achille Castiglioni has won numerous design awards, including the prestigious Compasso d'Oro nine times. In 1997, the Museum of Modern Art in New York organised an exhibition of Castiglioni's greatest works. The museum also has some of his most important works in its permanent collection. Achille Castiglioni worked extensively with brands such as Flos, Zanotta, Karakter and DePadova. His most famous works include the Snoopy, Arco, Fucsia and Taccia lamps and the Mezzadro and Sella stools. Several of Castiglioni's high-class and timeless works can be found at NO GA.