Achille Castiglioni
Posted on 17. Feb, 2009 by DesignerDeco in Modern Furniture Designers
| Lighting by Achille Castiglioni Shop Our Large Selection of Modern Lighting. Free Shipping. YLighting.com/Designer-Lights |
Considered as one of the greatest pioneers of industrial design, Achille Castiglioni was a visionary who took the furniture industry by storm.
The personal life of Achille Castiglioni
Achille Castiglioni was one of the famous Castiglioni Brothers who made unique pieces of furniture using revolutionary techniques and a myriad of materials. After studying at the Politecnico di Milano University, Achille Castiglioni joined his brothers Livio and Piere Giacomo in what was to become the famous team up of interior design mavericks.
Design ethics of Achille Castiglioni
As a furniture designer, Achille Castiglioni came up with cutting edge designs for furniture by following the need to be constant and consistent in coming up with designs instead of making a signature style. His pieces were powered by the drive to reinvent common fixtures, turning them into more functional yet stylish samples of furniture.
Popular pieces of Achille Castiglioni
The Castiglioni brothers churned out exemplary pieces, thanks to Achille’s innovative approach to designing. Castiglioni’s effortless combination of form and function are exhibited in his many works that are used in various areas.
Innovations for the table and kitchen
The AC01/03 Oil and vinegar dispensers were innovative takes on the usual porcelain vessels. Castiglioni used glass and metal in these pieces. The slanted metal lids of the vessels allow for easily dispensed oil or vinegar just by pouring the contents. Another one of his simple innovations in the kitchen is the Dry Cutlery series. Each utensil is made out of steel bar fused, with a comfortable handle that leads to the blade, spoon, or teeth of the cutlery. His Sleek Mayonnaise Spoon, spurning a more efficient method of spooning out the contents of a mayonnaise jar, was borne out of a commission for a mayonnaise company.
Lounging furniture pieces by Achille Castiglioni
Castiglioni also made pieces of furniture for lounging purposes. The Sanluca Armchair is an early proponent of ergonomics, with each part of it crafted to fit the occupant’s body. The Spirale Ashtrays are clever takes on the lowly ash reservoir. Castiglioni fitted a coiled spring inside a round metal ashtray to serve as a more effective cigarette holder.
Enlightened illumination by Achille Castiglioni
Achile Castiglioni also liked to toy around with light fixtures. The Aoy Lamp maximized the space that floor lamp rods took up. Not only was illumination maximized, Castiglioni even provided a space beneath each Aoy Lamp for the cat to curl up in. Car reflectors made the Toio Floor Lamp series function well, while a suction cup base made the Ventossa Lamp a handy dandy spotlight. Still one of Castiglioni’s best known works is the Arco Floor Lamp that functioned like a ceiling lamp, but anchored to the ground instead.
Recent Comments