about the designer
Anna Castelli Ferrieri is the embodiment of the Italian creative philosophy that advocates designing “from the teaspoon to the city.” Castelli Ferrieri has contributed designs to both. Castelli Ferrieri started designing for Kartell in 1966, after being chosen as the architect for their headquarters. Famous for its critical role in the introduction to the consumer market of plastic as an acceptable material, Kartell was instrumental in bringing such innovative designers to Kartell as Joe Colombo, Marco Zanuso with Richard Sapper, and Achille Castiglioni. In her own designs for Kartell, Castelli Ferrieri exploited new materials through innovative forms. For her “4970/84” container elements, Castelli Ferrieri treated the design as a mini architectural exercise, with units that are stackable and interchangeable based on the needs of the new lifestyle of the 1960s. For her beautiful and useful designs, Castelli Ferrieri has won numerous design awards, including the prestigious Compasso d’Oro, but the fact that most of her pieces are still in production bespeaks the highest praise.
about the designer
Anna Castelli Ferrieri is the embodiment of the Italian creative philosophy that advocates designing “from the teaspoon to the city.” Castelli Ferrieri has contributed designs to both. Castelli Ferrieri started designing for Kartell in 1966, after being chosen as the architect for their headquarters. Famous for its critical role in the introduction to the consumer market of plastic as an acceptable material, Kartell was instrumental in bringing such innovative designers to Kartell as Joe Colombo, Marco Zanuso with Richard Sapper, and Achille Castiglioni. In her own designs for Kartell, Castelli Ferrieri exploited new materials through innovative forms. For her “4970/84” container elements, Castelli Ferrieri treated the design as a mini architectural exercise, with units that are stackable and interchangeable based on the needs of the new lifestyle of the 1960s. For her beautiful and useful designs, Castelli Ferrieri has won numerous design awards, including the prestigious Compasso d’Oro, but the fact that most of her pieces are still in production bespeaks the highest praise.
about the designer
Anna Castelli Ferrieri is the embodiment of the Italian creative philosophy that advocates designing “from the teaspoon to the city.” Castelli Ferrieri has contributed designs to both. Castelli Ferrieri started designing for Kartell in 1966, after being chosen as the architect for their headquarters. Famous for its critical role in the introduction to the consumer market of plastic as an acceptable material, Kartell was instrumental in bringing such innovative designers to Kartell as Joe Colombo, Marco Zanuso with Richard Sapper, and Achille Castiglioni. In her own designs for Kartell, Castelli Ferrieri exploited new materials through innovative forms. For her “4970/84” container elements, Castelli Ferrieri treated the design as a mini architectural exercise, with units that are stackable and interchangeable based on the needs of the new lifestyle of the 1960s. For her beautiful and useful designs, Castelli Ferrieri has won numerous design awards, including the prestigious Compasso d’Oro, but the fact that most of her pieces are still in production bespeaks the highest praise.
about the designer
Anna Castelli Ferrieri is the embodiment of the Italian creative philosophy that advocates designing “from the teaspoon to the city.” Castelli Ferrieri has contributed designs to both. Castelli Ferrieri started designing for Kartell in 1966, after being chosen as the architect for their headquarters. Famous for its critical role in the introduction to the consumer market of plastic as an acceptable material, Kartell was instrumental in bringing such innovative designers to Kartell as Joe Colombo, Marco Zanuso with Richard Sapper, and Achille Castiglioni. In her own designs for Kartell, Castelli Ferrieri exploited new materials through innovative forms. For her “4970/84” container elements, Castelli Ferrieri treated the design as a mini architectural exercise, with units that are stackable and interchangeable based on the needs of the new lifestyle of the 1960s. For her beautiful and useful designs, Castelli Ferrieri has won numerous design awards, including the prestigious Compasso d’Oro, but the fact that most of her pieces are still in production bespeaks the highest praise.
about the designer
CHIAOZZA (pronounced “CHOW-zah”) is the collaborative studio of artists Adam Frezza and Terri Chiao. Based in New York City since 2011, the duo’s work explores play and craft across a range of mediums, including painted sculpture, installation, works on paper, public art, and set design. They have exhibited in solo shows at Wave Hill in The Bronx, NY; Vox Populi in Philadelphia, PA; Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY; Owen James Gallery in New York, NY; Cooler Gallery in Brooklyn, NY; CY Fiore in New York, NY; and Westchester Community College in Valhalla, NY, along with numerous group shows in the U.S. and internationally. The studio has installed public artworks in New York City and Gainesville, FL. Together, Frezza and Chiao have been artists-in-residence at Villa Lena (Tuscany, Italy), Kökarkultur (Kökar, Finland), Starry Night (Truth or Consequences, NM), The School of Making Thinking (Delancey, NY), The Lloyd Library (Cincinnati, OH), BRIC Media Arts (Brooklyn, NY), and Shell House Arts (Roxbury, NY),. In 2017, they installed an acre-spanning sculpture garden with 32 large-scale works for the Coachella Arts & Music Festival in Indio, CA.
about the designer
CHIAOZZA (pronounced “CHOW-zah”) is the collaborative studio of artists Adam Frezza and Terri Chiao. Based in New York City since 2011, the duo’s work explores play and craft across a range of mediums, including painted sculpture, installation, works on paper, public art, and set design. They have exhibited in solo shows at Wave Hill in The Bronx, NY; Vox Populi in Philadelphia, PA; Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY; Owen James Gallery in New York, NY; Cooler Gallery in Brooklyn, NY; CY Fiore in New York, NY; and Westchester Community College in Valhalla, NY, along with numerous group shows in the U.S. and internationally. The studio has installed public artworks in New York City and Gainesville, FL. Together, Frezza and Chiao have been artists-in-residence at Villa Lena (Tuscany, Italy), Kökarkultur (Kökar, Finland), Starry Night (Truth or Consequences, NM), The School of Making Thinking (Delancey, NY), The Lloyd Library (Cincinnati, OH), BRIC Media Arts (Brooklyn, NY), and Shell House Arts (Roxbury, NY),. In 2017, they installed an acre-spanning sculpture garden with 32 large-scale works for the Coachella Arts & Music Festival in Indio, CA.
about the designer
Anna Castelli Ferrieri is the embodiment of the Italian creative philosophy that advocates designing “from the teaspoon to the city.” Castelli Ferrieri has contributed designs to both. Castelli Ferrieri started designing for Kartell in 1966, after being chosen as the architect for their headquarters. Famous for its critical role in the introduction to the consumer market of plastic as an acceptable material, Kartell was instrumental in bringing such innovative designers to Kartell as Joe Colombo, Marco Zanuso with Richard Sapper, and Achille Castiglioni. In her own designs for Kartell, Castelli Ferrieri exploited new materials through innovative forms. For her “4970/84” container elements, Castelli Ferrieri treated the design as a mini architectural exercise, with units that are stackable and interchangeable based on the needs of the new lifestyle of the 1960s. For her beautiful and useful designs, Castelli Ferrieri has won numerous design awards, including the prestigious Compasso d’Oro, but the fact that most of her pieces are still in production bespeaks the highest praise.
about the designer
Anna Castelli Ferrieri is the embodiment of the Italian creative philosophy that advocates designing “from the teaspoon to the city.” Castelli Ferrieri has contributed designs to both. Castelli Ferrieri started designing for Kartell in 1966, after being chosen as the architect for their headquarters. Famous for its critical role in the introduction to the consumer market of plastic as an acceptable material, Kartell was instrumental in bringing such innovative designers to Kartell as Joe Colombo, Marco Zanuso with Richard Sapper, and Achille Castiglioni. In her own designs for Kartell, Castelli Ferrieri exploited new materials through innovative forms. For her “4970/84” container elements, Castelli Ferrieri treated the design as a mini architectural exercise, with units that are stackable and interchangeable based on the needs of the new lifestyle of the 1960s. For her beautiful and useful designs, Castelli Ferrieri has won numerous design awards, including the prestigious Compasso d’Oro, but the fact that most of her pieces are still in production bespeaks the highest praise.
about the designer
Simon Legald graduated from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in the summer of 2012. His work consists of both small- and large scale products. Simon's designs are often created in a dialogue between craftsmanship and industry. He also likes to incorporate the techniques that are necessary for the structure of a product into the design by highlighting them visually.
about the designer
Simon Legald graduated from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in the summer of 2012. His work consists of both small- and large scale products. Simon's designs are often created in a dialogue between craftsmanship and industry. He also likes to incorporate the techniques that are necessary for the structure of a product into the design by highlighting them visually.
about the designer
Giotto Stoppino was born in Vigevano (PV) in 1926, Italian architect and designer is known for being among the first designers to use plastic in his projects and products made famous by companies such as Kartell. A pupil of Ernesto Nathan Rogers, among the inspiring exponents of the neoliberty, after finishing his studies at the Iuav University of Venice and at the Polytechnic of Milan, in 1953 he was associated with the architects Vittorio Gregotti and Lodovico Meneghetti (Architetti Associati 1953-1968, Novara) . Since 1970 he has been present in the permanent collection of the MoMA, Museum of Modern Art in New York with the 537 lamp by Arteluce, while the Sheraton furniture has been present since 1981 in the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, his other projects are exhibited in museums of Monaco and Chicago.
about the designer
Giotto Stoppino was born in Vigevano (PV) in 1926, Italian architect and designer is known for being among the first designers to use plastic in his projects and products made famous by companies such as Kartell. A pupil of Ernesto Nathan Rogers, among the inspiring exponents of the neoliberty, after finishing his studies at the Iuav University of Venice and at the Polytechnic of Milan, in 1953 he was associated with the architects Vittorio Gregotti and Lodovico Meneghetti (Architetti Associati 1953-1968, Novara) . Since 1970 he has been present in the permanent collection of the MoMA, Museum of Modern Art in New York with the 537 lamp by Arteluce, while the Sheraton furniture has been present since 1981 in the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, his other projects are exhibited in museums of Monaco and Chicago.
about the designer
Ludovica+Roberto Palomba, architects and designers, founded Palomba Serafini Associati in 1994, based in Milan. The high quality of their project is their distinctive mark. They collaborate with the most prestigious design brands all over the world and the majority of their products designed since 1994 is still in production. Numerous awards such as Compasso D’Oro, Red Dot Award, Design Plus Award, Product Innovation Award, German Design Award, Elle Decoration International Design Award attest to their work. “Our goal is to design free projects, able to interact in an evident and immediate way with people who choose them. Our success is measured by the amount of persons worldwide who have chosen to share their lives intimately with our products.” Ludovica+Roberto Palomba currently develop important residential architecture, contract, interior and yachting.
about the designer
Ludovica+Roberto Palomba, architects and designers, founded Palomba Serafini Associati in 1994, based in Milan. The high quality of their project is their distinctive mark. They collaborate with the most prestigious design brands all over the world and the majority of their products designed since 1994 is still in production. Numerous awards such as Compasso D’Oro, Red Dot Award, Design Plus Award, Product Innovation Award, German Design Award, Elle Decoration International Design Award attest to their work. “Our goal is to design free projects, able to interact in an evident and immediate way with people who choose them. Our success is measured by the amount of persons worldwide who have chosen to share their lives intimately with our products.” Ludovica+Roberto Palomba currently develop important residential architecture, contract, interior and yachting.
about the designer
Anna Castelli Ferrieri is the embodiment of the Italian creative philosophy that advocates designing “from the teaspoon to the city.” Castelli Ferrieri has contributed designs to both. Castelli Ferrieri started designing for Kartell in 1966, after being chosen as the architect for their headquarters. Famous for its critical role in the introduction to the consumer market of plastic as an acceptable material, Kartell was instrumental in bringing such innovative designers to Kartell as Joe Colombo, Marco Zanuso with Richard Sapper, and Achille Castiglioni. In her own designs for Kartell, Castelli Ferrieri exploited new materials through innovative forms. For her “4970/84” container elements, Castelli Ferrieri treated the design as a mini architectural exercise, with units that are stackable and interchangeable based on the needs of the new lifestyle of the 1960s. For her beautiful and useful designs, Castelli Ferrieri has won numerous design awards, including the prestigious Compasso d’Oro, but the fact that most of her pieces are still in production bespeaks the highest praise.
about the designer
Anna Castelli Ferrieri is the embodiment of the Italian creative philosophy that advocates designing “from the teaspoon to the city.” Castelli Ferrieri has contributed designs to both. Castelli Ferrieri started designing for Kartell in 1966, after being chosen as the architect for their headquarters. Famous for its critical role in the introduction to the consumer market of plastic as an acceptable material, Kartell was instrumental in bringing such innovative designers to Kartell as Joe Colombo, Marco Zanuso with Richard Sapper, and Achille Castiglioni. In her own designs for Kartell, Castelli Ferrieri exploited new materials through innovative forms. For her “4970/84” container elements, Castelli Ferrieri treated the design as a mini architectural exercise, with units that are stackable and interchangeable based on the needs of the new lifestyle of the 1960s. For her beautiful and useful designs, Castelli Ferrieri has won numerous design awards, including the prestigious Compasso d’Oro, but the fact that most of her pieces are still in production bespeaks the highest praise.
about the designer
Lella and Massimo Vignelli were pivotal figures in the design world, renowned for their clarity and coherence in numerous projects. Massimo started his design journey as a draftsman in Milan, influenced by Adolf Loos’ belief that an architect should design everything from a spoon to a city. Both Lella, born into an architectural family in Udine, and Massimo shared a comprehensive design philosophy, encapsulated in their book "Design is One," emphasizing consistency and timelessness. After their training, they moved to the US, co-founding Unimark International and later starting Vignelli Associates. Their impressive portfolio includes corporate identities for American Airlines and the New York City Transit Authority, as well as graphic design, interiors, furniture, and exhibitions for prestigious institutions. Their legacy is celebrated in museums worldwide, and they were honored with numerous awards, including the National Design Lifetime Achievement award in 2003
about the designer
Lella and Massimo Vignelli were pivotal figures in the design world, renowned for their clarity and coherence in numerous projects. Massimo started his design journey as a draftsman in Milan, influenced by Adolf Loos’ belief that an architect should design everything from a spoon to a city. Both Lella, born into an architectural family in Udine, and Massimo shared a comprehensive design philosophy, encapsulated in their book "Design is One," emphasizing consistency and timelessness. After their training, they moved to the US, co-founding Unimark International and later starting Vignelli Associates. Their impressive portfolio includes corporate identities for American Airlines and the New York City Transit Authority, as well as graphic design, interiors, furniture, and exhibitions for prestigious institutions. Their legacy is celebrated in museums worldwide, and they were honored with numerous awards, including the National Design Lifetime Achievement award in 2003
about the designer
Lella and Massimo Vignelli were pivotal figures in the design world, renowned for their clarity and coherence in numerous projects. Massimo started his design journey as a draftsman in Milan, influenced by Adolf Loos’ belief that an architect should design everything from a spoon to a city. Both Lella, born into an architectural family in Udine, and Massimo shared a comprehensive design philosophy, encapsulated in their book "Design is One," emphasizing consistency and timelessness. After their training, they moved to the US, co-founding Unimark International and later starting Vignelli Associates. Their impressive portfolio includes corporate identities for American Airlines and the New York City Transit Authority, as well as graphic design, interiors, furniture, and exhibitions for prestigious institutions. Their legacy is celebrated in museums worldwide, and they were honored with numerous awards, including the National Design Lifetime Achievement award in 2003
about the designer
Lella and Massimo Vignelli were pivotal figures in the design world, renowned for their clarity and coherence in numerous projects. Massimo started his design journey as a draftsman in Milan, influenced by Adolf Loos’ belief that an architect should design everything from a spoon to a city. Both Lella, born into an architectural family in Udine, and Massimo shared a comprehensive design philosophy, encapsulated in their book "Design is One," emphasizing consistency and timelessness. After their training, they moved to the US, co-founding Unimark International and later starting Vignelli Associates. Their impressive portfolio includes corporate identities for American Airlines and the New York City Transit Authority, as well as graphic design, interiors, furniture, and exhibitions for prestigious institutions. Their legacy is celebrated in museums worldwide, and they were honored with numerous awards, including the National Design Lifetime Achievement award in 2003
about the designer
Simon Legald graduated from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in the summer of 2012. His work consists of both small- and large scale products. Simon's designs are often created in a dialogue between craftsmanship and industry. He also likes to incorporate the techniques that are necessary for the structure of a product into the design by highlighting them visually.
about the designer
Simon Legald graduated from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in the summer of 2012. His work consists of both small- and large scale products. Simon's designs are often created in a dialogue between craftsmanship and industry. He also likes to incorporate the techniques that are necessary for the structure of a product into the design by highlighting them visually.
about the designer
Simon Legald graduated from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in the summer of 2012. His work consists of both small- and large scale products. Simon's designs are often created in a dialogue between craftsmanship and industry. He also likes to incorporate the techniques that are necessary for the structure of a product into the design by highlighting them visually.
about the designer
Simon Legald graduated from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in the summer of 2012. His work consists of both small- and large scale products. Simon's designs are often created in a dialogue between craftsmanship and industry. He also likes to incorporate the techniques that are necessary for the structure of a product into the design by highlighting them visually.
about the designer
Founded by Jakub Pollág and Václav Mlynář in 2011, Studio deFORM worked in the fields of product and furniture design, as well as interior and exhibition architecture. The duo aimed to balance their work between commercial and independent creative projects, with the Zig Zag Shelf epitomizing the synergy between the two. As of 2020, the duo works as independent designers.
about the designer
Founded by Jakub Pollág and Václav Mlynář in 2011, Studio deFORM worked in the fields of product and furniture design, as well as interior and exhibition architecture. The duo aimed to balance their work between commercial and independent creative projects, with the Zig Zag Shelf epitomizing the synergy between the two. As of 2020, the duo works as independent designers.
about the designer
Piero Lissoni is architect, art director and designer and is recognized as one of the masters of contemporary design. For over thirty years, he has developed projects the world over in the fields of architecture, landscape and interior, as well as in product and graphic design. He is also art director for Alpi, B&B Italia, Boffi, Living Divani, Lema, Lualdi, Porro and Sanlorenzo. Some of the most important architecture and interior projects deserving of mention include the Shangri-La Shougang Park in Beijing (2021) realized for the 2022 winter Olympics, The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Miami Beach (2020), the Grand Park Hotel in Croatia (2019), the restyling of the historic Camparino bar in the Galleria of Milan (2019), The Middle House for the Swire Hotels Group in Shanghai (2018), the residential projects One Paraiso and Grand Paraiso in Miami (2018), The Oberoi Al Zorah Beach Resort Ajman in the UAE (2017), the Sanlorenzo yachts SX112 (2020), SX76 (2018) and SX88 (2017), the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam (2012) in addition to the corporate headquarters of Boffi, Cassina, Fantini, Glas Italia, Living Divani and the Sanlorenzo shipyards in La Spezia and Ameglia.
about the designer
Piero Lissoni is architect, art director and designer and is recognized as one of the masters of contemporary design. For over thirty years, he has developed projects the world over in the fields of architecture, landscape and interior, as well as in product and graphic design. He is also art director for Alpi, B&B Italia, Boffi, Living Divani, Lema, Lualdi, Porro and Sanlorenzo. Some of the most important architecture and interior projects deserving of mention include the Shangri-La Shougang Park in Beijing (2021) realized for the 2022 winter Olympics, The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Miami Beach (2020), the Grand Park Hotel in Croatia (2019), the restyling of the historic Camparino bar in the Galleria of Milan (2019), The Middle House for the Swire Hotels Group in Shanghai (2018), the residential projects One Paraiso and Grand Paraiso in Miami (2018), The Oberoi Al Zorah Beach Resort Ajman in the UAE (2017), the Sanlorenzo yachts SX112 (2020), SX76 (2018) and SX88 (2017), the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam (2012) in addition to the corporate headquarters of Boffi, Cassina, Fantini, Glas Italia, Living Divani and the Sanlorenzo shipyards in La Spezia and Ameglia.
about the designer
Martine Bedin is an industrial designer, artist, architect and teacher. She studied Architecture at the École d’architecture in Paris. In 1978 she received a scholarship that took her to Florence, where she met the members of the Radical Architecture movement: the founders of Alchimia, Superstudio and Archizoom Associati. The founder of Superstudio, Adolfo Natalini, invited her to exhibit ‘The Decorated House’ at the Milan Triennale in 1979, where she met Michele De Lucchi and Ettore Sottsass. At the beginning of the ’80s she spent two years in Sottsass’s studio, working on her own projects and writing for a French design and architecture magazine. In 1981 she was among the co-founders of the Memphis Group. Bedin works with various materials, such as marble, wood, metal, and ceramics. Her work is exhibited in major museums and private collections, such as the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvre.
about the designer
Martine Bedin is an industrial designer, artist, architect and teacher. She studied Architecture at the École d’architecture in Paris. In 1978 she received a scholarship that took her to Florence, where she met the members of the Radical Architecture movement: the founders of Alchimia, Superstudio and Archizoom Associati. The founder of Superstudio, Adolfo Natalini, invited her to exhibit ‘The Decorated House’ at the Milan Triennale in 1979, where she met Michele De Lucchi and Ettore Sottsass. At the beginning of the ’80s she spent two years in Sottsass’s studio, working on her own projects and writing for a French design and architecture magazine. In 1981 she was among the co-founders of the Memphis Group. Bedin works with various materials, such as marble, wood, metal, and ceramics. Her work is exhibited in major museums and private collections, such as the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvre.
about the designer
George J. Sowden is a designer and product developer. He studied Architecture at Gloucestershire College of Art in the ‘60s. He moved to Milano in 1970 where he started working with Ettore Sottsass and Olivetti. In 1981, he was one of the co-founders of the Memphis Group. In the same year he founded his design studio through which he developed his activity as a consultant for industrial design, while continuing to develop his research work. In 2010 he founded the SOWDEN brand. Sowden’s interest in working with craftsmen and small companies, as well as in the practice of design and decoration, began in the 1970s and continues to this day. In 1990 his experimentation and research are objects of the exhibition “George J. Sowden Designing 1970–1990” organized by the Musée des Arts décoratifs et du Design in Bordeaux.
about the designer
George J. Sowden is a designer and product developer. He studied Architecture at Gloucestershire College of Art in the ‘60s. He moved to Milano in 1970 where he started working with Ettore Sottsass and Olivetti. In 1981, he was one of the co-founders of the Memphis Group. In the same year he founded his design studio through which he developed his activity as a consultant for industrial design, while continuing to develop his research work. In 2010 he founded the SOWDEN brand. Sowden’s interest in working with craftsmen and small companies, as well as in the practice of design and decoration, began in the 1970s and continues to this day. In 1990 his experimentation and research are objects of the exhibition “George J. Sowden Designing 1970–1990” organized by the Musée des Arts décoratifs et du Design in Bordeaux.
about the designer
Ettore Sottsass was a product designer and architect who had an enormous influence on Italian design in the second half of the 20th century. Sottsass was born in Innsbruck, Austria, and moved with his family to Italy so that he could study architecture at Turin Polytechnic University. In 1980, Sottsass co-founded the Milan design group Memphis with fellow avant-garde designers Andrea Branzi, Alessandro Mendini, Martine Bedin, and Michele de Lucchi. Aiming to promote radical design, they produced brightly colored, geometric, and often anti-functional furniture, lighting and ceramics. His work belongs to numerous public collections around the world, and continues to inspire young designers.
about the designer
Ettore Sottsass was a product designer and architect who had an enormous influence on Italian design in the second half of the 20th century. Sottsass was born in Innsbruck, Austria, and moved with his family to Italy so that he could study architecture at Turin Polytechnic University. In 1980, Sottsass co-founded the Milan design group Memphis with fellow avant-garde designers Andrea Branzi, Alessandro Mendini, Martine Bedin, and Michele de Lucchi. Aiming to promote radical design, they produced brightly colored, geometric, and often anti-functional furniture, lighting and ceramics. His work belongs to numerous public collections around the world, and continues to inspire young designers.
about the designer
Maarten Van Severen studied architecture at the Art Academy in Ghent. He designed his first furniture pieces in 1986 and in the following year established an independent workshop, where he pursued the limited, semi-industrial production of his own furniture designs. In 1990, he began to collaborate closely with Rem Koolhaas and also turned his attention to interior design tasks. The beginning of Maarten Van Severen's collaboration with Vitra in 1996 marked a new phase in his career. It offered him the opportunity to work with new materials and also brought a much wider degree of exposure and influence. Until his death in 2005 in Ghent, Maarten Van Severen developed a range of new designs for Vitra, which have progressively entered series production.
about the designer
Maarten Van Severen studied architecture at the Art Academy in Ghent. He designed his first furniture pieces in 1986 and in the following year established an independent workshop, where he pursued the limited, semi-industrial production of his own furniture designs. In 1990, he began to collaborate closely with Rem Koolhaas and also turned his attention to interior design tasks. The beginning of Maarten Van Severen's collaboration with Vitra in 1996 marked a new phase in his career. It offered him the opportunity to work with new materials and also brought a much wider degree of exposure and influence. Until his death in 2005 in Ghent, Maarten Van Severen developed a range of new designs for Vitra, which have progressively entered series production.
about the designer
Ettore Sottsass was a product designer and architect who had an enormous influence on Italian design in the second half of the 20th century. Sottsass was born in Innsbruck, Austria, and moved with his family to Italy so that he could study architecture at Turin Polytechnic University. In 1980, Sottsass co-founded the Milan design group Memphis with fellow avant-garde designers Andrea Branzi, Alessandro Mendini, Martine Bedin, and Michele de Lucchi. Aiming to promote radical design, they produced brightly colored, geometric, and often anti-functional furniture, lighting and ceramics. His work belongs to numerous public collections around the world, and continues to inspire young designers.
about the designer
Ettore Sottsass was a product designer and architect who had an enormous influence on Italian design in the second half of the 20th century. Sottsass was born in Innsbruck, Austria, and moved with his family to Italy so that he could study architecture at Turin Polytechnic University. In 1980, Sottsass co-founded the Milan design group Memphis with fellow avant-garde designers Andrea Branzi, Alessandro Mendini, Martine Bedin, and Michele de Lucchi. Aiming to promote radical design, they produced brightly colored, geometric, and often anti-functional furniture, lighting and ceramics. His work belongs to numerous public collections around the world, and continues to inspire young designers.