On the bucket list for designers and architects across the globe are two humble studios in the geographic and creative hearts of Milan, those of Vico Magistretti and the Castiglioni brothers. But why are they so revered over half a century on?

Both Magistretti and the Castiglioni brothers were architects, born in Milan with a creative lineage. Vico being the son of an architect and the Castigioni’s father being a sculptor. They were part of what is known as the Golden Age in Italian design, the 50s and 60s when post-war Italy was rebuilding and Milanese architects, manufacturers and craftspeople began exploring new possibilities.

During that time, brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni worked together until the death of Pier Giacomo in 1968, while Achille and Magistretti both lived to see the turn of the millennium with their work being as popular as ever in today’s homes.

Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in their Milanese studio. Photograph by Luciano Ferri.

They really were in the sweet spot of design history, with Magistretti’s Atollo table lamp and Castiglioni’s Arco floor lamp becoming silhouettes of contemporary lighting design through their sheer beauty and simplicity. Opportunities were endless at that time and through their work and roles as teachers they passed on their inspiration to a new generation.

The OK lamp (inset) by Konstantin Grcic brought Castiglioni's classic Parentesi lamp (main image) into the LED era.

The likes of Jasper Morisson, Konstantin Grcic, and Patricia Urquiola were all taught by these legendary figures and now work with brands such as Flos who were born out of that era of opportunity in the 1950s. In collaboration with Flos, Grcic brought Castiglioni’s 1972 classic the Parentesi lamp into the future as the OK lamp, harnessing the power of LED technology but celebrating the original and proving that some ideas just don’t grow old.

Magistretti, who was for some time the creative director for Oluce, is also responsible for one of the first plastic dining chairs and the original, yet much imitated, upholstered bed. He was also known for wearing bright red socks, which as legend would have it became something of a trend across Milan though he certainly wasn’t interested in trends.

Ironically, given the prolific use of his lighting in lifestyle images on social media, Magistretti was anti-decoration. He was interested in simplicity and is quoted as saying 'Simplicity is the most complicated thing in the world.'

The Pascal floor lamp (left) and Sonora pendant light (right) by Vico Magistretti for Oluce. Photography by Adriano Brusaferri.

As an architect, he was involved in the redevelopment of the QT8 district of Milan in the late 40s. The experimental project explored concepts of urbanisation and included an artificial hill made from the debris of buildings destroyed in the war, playgrounds and a 370,00sqm city park – making it one of the greenest districts in the city. It was also home to Italy’s first four-storey prefabricated homes, experimental for its time though like his furniture and lighting these ideas still hold currency.

For local designers and manufacturers here in Australia, there is much to be learned from the careers of Magistretti and Castiglioni. Seemingly in our own Golden Age, the way they worked with manufacturers close to home and their collegiate approach to the industry are as inspiring as their work.

Somewhat of an expert when it comes to Magistretti is Melbourne-based architect and curator Mauro Baracco. As part of Melbourne Design Week 2019 and in collaboration with the Magistretti Foundation, Baracco has curated the exhibition Vico Magistretti - Archivio in Viaggio/Travelling Archive – a glimpse into the studio, career and personality of a designer who, as Baracco points out, was, 'Well ahead of the many pleas that today invite to work towards the creation of sustainable environments, his approach is not surprisingly in empathy with practices currently inclined to urban and social ecologies informed by levels of "lightness."'

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For information on the Vico Magistretti Travelling Archive events visit vicomagistrettimelbourne.com or follow them on Instagram

Flos and Oluce lighting collections are available in Australia through Euroluce

For more on the Castiglioni Foundation click here

For more on the Magistretti Foundation click here

WRITTEN BY HouseLab