Vico Magistretti

Vico Magistretti studied at Polytechnic University of Milan. Training under Ernesto Nathan Rogers is recorded. Jasper Morrison is recorded as having studied under Vico Magistretti. The recorded working language is Italian. The field of work recorded is architecture, design and urbanism. Employment is recorded with Royal College of Art, Artemide and Cassina S.p.A. Works named in the authority record are Eclisse and Chimera (lamp). Work by Vico Magistretti is recorded in the collections of Museum of Modern Art, National Gallery of Victoria, Nationalmuseum, Design Museum Gent and Art Institute of Chicago. Distinctions recorded are Compasso d'Oro.

• Name — Vico Magistretti • Born — 6 October 1920 • Died — 19 September 2006 • Education — Politecnico di Milano • Practice — Design and architecture • Significant Buildings — QT8 Church • Awards — Gold Medal at the 1951 Triennale, Grand Prix at the 1954 Triennale, two Compasso d'Oro awards in 1967 and 1979, the Gold Medal of the Chartered Society of Industrial Artists & Designers in 1986

Vico Magistretti was born the son of architect Pier Giulio on 6 October 1920, in Milan, Italy. During the Second World War, to avoid being deported to Germany, he left Italy for Switzerland on September 8, 1943, during his military service. While in the country, he taught at and took courses at the Champ Universitaire Italien in Lausanne. He returned to Milan in 1945, graduating the same year from the Politecnico di Milano. While in Switzerland, he met Ernesto Nathan Rogers. According to The Guardian, "He soon came under the influence of the architect Ernesto Nathan Rogers, whose humanist ideas for the reconstruction of postwar Italy inspired a whole series of intellectuals. At that time Magistretti took part in work on the extraordinary experimental neighborhood on the edge of Milan known as QT8, where a group of architects and planners were given complete freedom. Magistretti built its "poetic round church" Santa Maria Nascente."

After graduation, he worked at his fathers firm with the architect Paolo Chessa. He initially worked in urban design in Milan. In the 1950s he moved into the field of mass-produced furniture and lamps, some of which became museum pieces later on. Among others, he worked for Artemide, Cassina, De Padova, Flou, Fritz Hansen, Kartell, and Schiffini. According to The Guardian, "His first great success came with the world famous Carimate chair produced by the Cassina company. The chair was a bestseller for years and mixed rural simplicity (the straw of the seat) with urban sophistication. There were the smooth lines of the wooden supports and legs, the colour, the pop-art bright red frame and elements of Scandinavian design."

He taught at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London for 20 years and was appointed a Royal Designer for Industry (RDI). He also taught at Domus Academy in Milan and was an honorary member of the Royal Scottish Incorporation of Architects.

• Illustration — Cassina Carimate chair, back view (1959) • Illustration — Artemide Eclisse lamp (1965) • Illustration — Eclisse lamp • Illustration — Oluce Atollo lamp (1977) • Illustration — Chaise Longue (1996) • Illustration — Dalù lamp • Illustration — Building in corso Europa 22, Milan (1955–1957), detail • Illustration — Villa Arosio, Arenzano (1958): interiors • Illustration — Building in via Leopardi, Milan (with Guido Veneziani), 1961 • Illustration — Carimate Golf club (with Guido Veneziani) • Illustration — Milan, tower house in piazzale Aquileia 8, 1964–1965 • Illustration — Interior, Milan, c. 1965 • Illustration — Villa Arosio, Arenzano (1958) • Illustration — Torre del Parco, Milan (1953–56, with Franco Longoni). Photo by Paolo Monti