Achille Castiglioni

Background

Although a legend of Italian design, Castiglioni is exceptionally modest about his stunning abilities. A true artist in touch with the needs of his audience, he admits that some of his most inspirational moments have come to him late in the evening after a warming nightcap!

Achille Castiglioni, born in Milan in 1918, he took a degree in architecture in 1944. Since then he has been dedicated to industrial design research, working with his brother Livio (1911-1979) and Pier Giacomo (1913-1968). In 1956 he was among the founding members of the ADI ( Industrial Design Association). From 1969 to 1993, he was professor of Industrial Design in the architecture departments at both Turin and Milan Universities.

The Museum of Modern Art in New York conserves at least a dozen of his works, and others can be found in important design collections such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, London; the Kunstgewerbe Museum, Zurich; the Museo del Design, Prato; the Denver Art Museum and the Vitra Design Museum.

He has won fully nine Compasso d'oro awards. In 1987, he received an honorary Laureate from the Royal College of Art, London. In 1993 he won the annual award of London's Chartered Society of Designers. In 1995 he recieved an 'Art sur Table' Award from the National Council of Culinary Arts in Paris.

His professional activity extends into the fields of architecture and urban planning, and he is internationally renowned for his lighting and accessories

Works

Works for Flos: ARCO, BERA og FRISBI.