Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Taking Advantage of Industrialization through Design
Pier Giacomo Castiglioni had a diverse skill set and was involved in various areas of design, including architecture, exhibition design, furniture, product, and lighting design. He also taught at Politecnico University of Milan, sharing his wisdom and inspiring numerous individuals with his expertise. During World War II, Pier worked together with his older brother Livio Castiglioni on product and exhibition design. Their younger brother Achille Castiglioni joined them right after the war. Together they were a team and each other’s support system. They truly embodied the essence of "Made in Italy." However, a few years later Livio left the team, leaving Pier Giacomo and Achille to continue a partnership that ended up being lifelong.
The Castiglioni brothers benefited from the new materials and technologies that were developed during wartime. The products they created together included both a blend of traditional aesthetic, along with modern functionality and manufacturing techniques. In addition, a surge in industrialisation caused products to become cheaper through mass production. Some of the most famous products created were for Stilnovo- the SILLABA wall lamps and the MINIBOX lamps. They also worked as design consultants for Brionvega and worked together on the BABELA chair for Tacchini. Also, for Zanotto, they created some unique chairs/stools- STELLA, PRIMATE and MEZZADRO.
Their design products are celebrated and appreciated in the museum collections of the Royal Institute of British Architects and in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Pier Castiglioni also received multiple awards which include: 5 Compasso d’Oro awards, 1 Triennale Bronze Medal, 2 Silver Medals, 2 Gold Medals, and 2 Triennale Grand Prix.
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