Designography by Castiglioni Architetti

The brothers Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni were Italian architects and Designer, who together with Livio #Castiglioni under the name Castiglioni Architetti in Milan realized a large number of projects in the fields of architecture, exhibitions and design.

Overall concept of the Milan Chamber of Commerce

When Livio left the architectural firm in 1952, Achille and Pier Giacomo continued without him. For the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Milan, the Castiglioni brothers not only designed the building but also created parts of the interior. One of the most spectacular designs at the time was the height-adjustable... Saliscendi pendant lamp, which was used here in the conference room. A showcase of Italian design and a groundbreaking innovation at the time. What sounds simple proves to be ingenious: a system of pulleys and cables allows the light to be pushed upwards or pulled downwards. The clever part: changing the position alters the light intensity – both on the table and in the surrounding area. Originally produced only as prototypes, this ingenious and historically significant pendant lamp is now available for home use. The Saliscendi pendant lamp is now manufactured by Stilnovo manufactured and is at TAGWERC Available as a licensed original.

bicycle saddle and tractor seat

The Castiglioni brothers recognized the signs of the times, turned their backs on architecture, and concentrated on designing home accessories and interiors. This led to the creation of unconventional stools like the Sella and Mezzadro (both 1957), which transformed everyday objects—a bicycle saddle and a tractor seat—into new and surprising forms, increasing their utility for the general public. The Sella stool, for example, was one of the first pieces of seating furniture to encourage active sitting—long before dynamic seating options like the Swopper, Sitness, fitness stools, and the like. When the Castiglionis set up their exhibition, 'Colori e forme nella casa d'oggi' (Colors and Forms in the Home Today), in 1957 at the Villa Olmo in Como on Lake Como, it was a simple red tractor seat, mounted on a frame, that was placed—essentially as a visitor's chair—in front of a desk. What at the time appeared as a quirky decorative object, causing head-shaking and discussion among visitors, went into series production at Zanotta twenty years later and entered history as the 'essence of Castiglioni'.

Innovative lighting design

The Castiglioni brothers' most creative period had begun, and it was also the time when several Italian interior manufacturers started their operations: Martinelli Luce (1950), Zanotta (1954), Flos (1962) – to name just a few. Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni were closely associated with Flos; their designs produced by Flos were the driving force that continues to shape the Italian company's reputation for innovative lighting design.

From Arco to Traxacum

With the Castiglion arc lamp Arco Flos made a sensational start in 1962. The table lamp was launched in the same year. Taccia and the floor lamp Toio dated, as well as the Pitagora espresso machine for the renowned portafilter machine manufacturer La Cimbali. Further lighting designs followed, produced by Flos: Parenthesi (1970), the Lampadina table lamp, the table and wall light Noce (both 1972), Aoy (1975), Bibip (1976), Frisbi (1978), Gibigiana (1980), Moni and Giovi (both 1982), Stylos (1984), Traxacum (1988), Brera (1992), Fucsia (1996) and Diabolo (1998).

Design history of the Castiglioni brothers

In the midst of their success, the shock came in 1968: the untimely death of Pier Giacomo, who passed away at the age of only 55. "Like two heads on one body," is how the 'Corriere della Sera', Italy's highest-circulation daily newspaper, described the relationship between the two brothers – not only familial, but above all professional. The designs of the Castiglioni Architetti are valuable design classics and tell the design story of these exceptional brothers. At TAGWERC, you can find Castiglioni Architetti design classics. A curated selection of Castiglioni Architetti design objects is available to order online in the TAGWERC Design STORE. We would be happy to provide you with a quote for any Castiglioni brothers' designs not listed here.