Renowned Italian designer Achille Castiglioni (1918-2002) designed and collaborated close to 150 objects during his lifetime. His aesthetic was inspired by everyday items, and was often made with ordinary materials. His method was to use minimal amount of materials to create products with maximum effect.
Castiglioni and his brothers, Pier Giacomo and Livio, are some of the most renowned industrial designers. Their elegant and innovative partnership in modern design demonstrates their viewpoint of what design should attain. According to Castiglioni, design must restructure an objects function, form and production process—“Start from scratch. Stick to common sense. Know your goals and means.”
Castiglioni has made monumental impact on industrial design. He helped to found the Association for Industrial Design (ADI). He was a professor of interior design and industrial design at Politecnico di Torino and Politecnico di Milano, his alma mater. His designs are displayed worldwide and have become permanent collections in museums. Fourteen of his pieces are currently homed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Achille Castiglioni has won nine “Compasso d’Oro” awards, of which includes a special mention, in 1989, as an individual dedicated to industrial design who has “elevated industrial design to the highest level of culture”.
