Designography for Archizoom Associati

Archizoom Associati, often called Archizoom for short and known by this name, is an Italian architecture and design group founded in the 1960s in Florence, in the heart of Tuscany. The group was active in the fields of architecture, design / industrial design and residential utopias from 1966 to 1974. The founding members are the Italians Andrea Branzi, Gilberto Corretti, Paolo Deganello and Massimo Morozzi. Lucia Bartolini and Dario Bartolini joined two years later. Archizoom is considered one of the most important representatives of Radical Design. The design group pursues an anti-functionalist design approach.

Inspiration for architects and Designer

Although Archizoom only existed for eight years, it is certainly one of the most important and influential architecture and design groups in Italy. Their ideas, design approaches and works have inspired many architects and Designer and continue to have an impact on the world of architecture and design to this day. Their critical attitude towards society and consumer culture is of great relevance, as they are visionary and far ahead of their time.

The non-stop city

Archizoom reached a high point in its work when it conceived and developed the "Non-Stop City" project from 1969 to 1971. Long before social life developed in this direction, the design collective came up with a concept for a completely automated living environment. It envisages that residents can design their living environment individually according to their own ideas and needs and are no longer trapped in stereotypes and group constraints. The project places particular emphasis on individualization and adaptation to the personal lifestyle of the individual. At the same time, it reflects on social consumer behavior and the increasing importance of technology.

Far ahead of its time

In 1972, the year after this avant-garde living system was presented, Archizoom took part in the exhibition "Italy. The New Domestic Landscape" at Museum of Modern Art, New York. In an article published 50 years after the exhibition, the interior design magazine Domus headlines: "The New Domestic Landscape", the exhibition that changed design. And indeed, from May 26 to September 11, 1972 at the MoMA, Italy became the point of reference for modernism, a country that at that time had a weak, less pronounced modernity. As so often in history, it is not the mainstream that leads the way, but a few or even just one.

Who's Who of Italian interior design

In this case, the exhibits include Archizoom, Zanotta with the Mezzadro-chair by Archille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Cassina with the Soriana-armchair by Tobia Scarpa and Afra as well as lights by Artemide and Flos, not forgetting Ettore Sottsass and Joe Colombo. The exhibition is divided into three sections: the presentation of 180 Italian design objects, winning projects from a competition among Italian designers under the age of 35 and twelve visions of the future created for the exhibition in the form of installations on the theme of the "passenger compartment".

Gray surroundings

Sottsass, for example, designs a mobile, multifunctional closet: its interior becomes - depending on the design - a kitchen, jukebox, bathroom, living room and closet. The traditional rooms lose their meaning and change as their purpose changes; furnishings lose their form and adapt to the superordinate basic form. Archizoom Associati's contribution, on the other hand, is called "Ambiente grigio" and consists of a neutral gray, completely empty room. The voice of a little girl can be heard describing a large, colorful and light-flooded house, which every visitor can imagine in their imagination. In this way, the visitor becomes an active part of the installation and their imagination provides the final step in the realization of the project.

Tangible and concrete

The furnishing objects that spring from the pen of Archizoom and take shape in collaboration with Poltronova are of a tangible and figurative nature. In the early days of the design group, the Superonda and Safari sofas were created in 1966/67. floor lamp Sanremo (1968). Two years later, in 1969, the armchair Mies with ottoman. All design objects are still produced today and are available in their original form from the design dealer TAGWERC. From 1971 to 1973, the group focused on fashion and dressing design. A series of multifunctional and combinable garments were designed that could be worn by both men and women. An absolute novelty at the time - common practice today.

"Memphis" and "Alchimia"

Together with other representatives of Radical Design, Archizoom becomes a co-founder of the "Global Tools" group and the "Architettura Radicale" in Italy. Archizoom disbanded just one year later. Its influences in interior design would later be reflected in the "Memphis" and "Alchimia" design movements. The latter was founded by Andrea Branzi and Paolo Deganello. Archizoom and its critical attitude towards society, consumption and adherence to traditional patterns undoubtedly had and still has a major influence on the Italian design scene. Their work is represented in many exhibitions and museums and their design objects are emblematic of creativity, visionary thinking and pioneering thinking outside the mainstream.

You can find the original Archizoom design objects at TAGWERC Design STORE.