Antonio Citterio is a world-renowned Italian architect and designer, born in 1950 in the northern Italian city of Meda. After graduating from the Polytechnic University of Milan’s architecture program in 1972, he quickly established his design studio, making a significant impact on the field of industrial design. Known for his elegant, functional, and timeless design style, Citterio has left a profound mark on modern architecture and design.
Between 1987 and 1996, Citterio collaborated with Terry Dwan on several prominent architectural projects, including Esprit headquarters in Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Milan, as well as the Vitra production facility in Germany. In 2000, he co-founded "Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel" with Patricia Viel, a firm dedicated to architecture and interior design. The studio’s projects span the globe, encompassing residential buildings, hotels, and office spaces, showcasing Citterio's versatility and innovative vision.
In the realm of product design, Citterio has worked with numerous esteemed global brands, such as B&B Italia, Hermès, Kartell, and Vitra, creating iconic designs that seamlessly blend practicality with modern aesthetics. His designs are celebrated for their functionality and beauty, earning admiration from design enthusiasts worldwide.
Citterio has received numerous accolades, including two Compasso d’Oro awards from the Italian Industrial Design Association. In 2008, he was named a "Royal Designer for Industry" by the Royal Society of Arts in the UK. Beyond his professional achievements, Citterio is also a dedicated educator, serving as a professor of architectural design at the Mendrisio Academy of Architecture in Switzerland from 2006 to 2016, where he nurtured a new generation of designers.
In Taiwan, Citterio designed the "Bulgari Residences" in Taichung, a landmark building characterized by its diamond-patterned artistry that transforms living spaces into museum-like experiences. This project stands as a testament to his ability to merge art and architecture seamlessly.
Whether in architecture, interior design, or product design, Antonio Citterio has consistently demonstrated unparalleled creativity and vision. He is not only a national treasure of Italian design but also a global design master whose influence continues to shape the world of modern design.
The volume traces over 50 years of activity in the field of industrial design by Antonio Citterio
The volume traces over 50 years of activity in the field of industrial design by Antonio Citterio, one of the masters of contemporary design. Introduced by Andrea Branzi and Francesco Bonami, the volume - structured in seven chapters - offers an accurate and extensive account of a work that has seen the production of over 600 products, united by a stylistic code capable of combining a discreet and elegant modernity with a meticulous attention to detail: from the Diesis series and the Baia sofa, designed with Paolo Nava and which mark the beginning of a ten-year collaboration with B&B Italia, to the important collaborations with Flexform, Arclinea, Vitra, Flos, Axor, up to the most recent works with Cassina and Illy.
The rich iconographic repertoire includes product images, archival photographs - some of which tell the “behind the scenes” of the birth of some design icons - and autographed sketches.
Texts by Stefano Casciani, Francesca Picchi, Deyan Sudjic (former director of the Design Museum of London).
