Achille Castiglioni

Achille Castiglioni (1918 - 2002)

Cherished worldwide, Achille Castiglioni was born in Milan in 1918, graduating from architecture at the University of his Birthplace in 1944. Upholding the intrinsically key animating spirit of Italian design, particularly within lighting, Castiglioni has worked alongside some of the most prestigious furniture manufacturers from Italy. It is, however, the self-titled Integral Designer’s work collaborations with his brothers, Livio and Pier, that Castiglioni will be best remembered for.

Dedicated towards an experimentation of industrial products, the Italian exhibited keen interest towards the direction of Urban Planning, Architecture and Design, performing analysis and research on new forms, techniques and materials. Achille Castiglioni earned great international recognition for his projects applied to serial production in the fields of lighting fixtures and furniture, as well as for his breath taking installations realised around the world.

In 1969, he was nominated Professor of Artistic Industrial Design, chairing the Faculty of Architecture in Turin until 1980, whilst in 1986 Castiglioni was made Honorary Member of the Faculty of Royal Designers for Industry by the Royal Society of Art in London. MoMA’s permanent collection in New York hosts no less than 14 of his works, whilst the coveted designer was presented with the illustrious Compasso d'Oro award on an impressive 9 occasions