All Designer items curated by Whoppah

Angelo Mangiarotti: designer furniture architect

wp:paragraph Angelo Mangiarotti is a leading figure in 20th century Italian architecture and design. He is not, however, one of the...

Design MarketDecember 2021
wp:paragraph Angelo Mangiarotti is a leading figure in 20th century Italian architecture and design. Yet he is not one of Italy's best-known designers. Yet his career spans almost half a century and bears witness to an intense and protean activity: Mangiarotti built major railway infrastructures, restored numerous public and residential buildings, designed factories, imagined private and tourist residences, created industrial design pieces, before becoming a sculptor, particularly of marble, a material he was particularly fond of. In this article, we take a look back at some of the designer's most emblematic creations, from architecture to design, all with a keen sense of architectural balance. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":16080, "width":588, "height":468, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination":"none"} In 2018, RBC Paris organised the exhibition Angelo Mangiarotti - Skilful Reflectionsi, featuring a selection of the designer's finest pieces In 2018, RBC Paris organised the exhibition Angelo Mangiarotti - Skilful Reflectionsi, featuring a selection of the designer's finest pieces ©Matteo Lavazza /wp:image wp:paragraph Angelo Mangiarotti was born in Milan in 1921. He graduated in architecture from Milan's renowned Politecnico in 1948. Five years later, he left to work in the United States, where he taught as a guest professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he met Walter Gropius, Walter Gropius, Mies van der Rohe and Konrad Wachsmann, eminent figures in European architecture who had emigrated to the United States. He also met the most influential American architect of the 20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":19} /wp:spacer wp:image {"align": "center", "id":16081, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Angelo Mangiarotti © Vistosi /wp:image wp:paragraph Mangiarotti spent 2 years in the United States before returning to Italy. In 1955, he joined forces with Bruno Morassutti (1920-2008) and opened a design and architecture practice. Until 1960, when the 2 architects ended their partnership, they specialised in industrial buildings and the restoration of residential and public buildings. Mangiarotti spent 2 years in the United States before returning to Italy. In 1955, he joined forces with Bruno Morassutti (1920-2008) and opened a design and architecture practice. Until 1960, when the 2 architects ended their collaboration, they specialised in industrial buildings and the restoration of residential and public buildings. /wp:paragraph wp:media-text {"mediaId":16082, "mediaType": "image", "mediaWidth":36} wp:paragraph Building in Via Quadronno, Milan, architecture: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1956-1962. The building's originality lies in its open configuration of "continuous façades". Via Quadronno building, Milan, designed by Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1956-1962. The building's originality lies in its open configuration of "continuous façades". Atlas of Places /wp:paragraph /wp:media-text wp:media-text {"mediaId":16083, "mediaType": "image", "mediaWidth":36} wp:paragraph {"placeholder": "Contents...", "fontSize": "large"} Building Via Quadronno, Milan, architecture: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1956-1962. The building's originality lies in its open configuration of "continuous façades". Via Quadronno building, Milan, designed by Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1956-1962. The building's originality lies in its open configuration of "continuous façades". Atlas of Places /wp:paragraph /wp:media-text wp:media-text {"mediaId":16084, "mediaType": "image", "mediaWidth":35} wp:paragraph {"placeholder": "Contents...", "fontSize": "large"} Building Via Quadronno, Milan, architecture: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1956-1962. Via Quadronno building, Milan, designed by Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1956-1962. Atlas of Places /wp:paragraph /wp:media-text wp:spacer {"height":16} /wp:spacer wp:gallery {"ids":[16087,16090], "linkTo": "none", "align": "center"} Right: Morassutti warehouse, Padua, 1959. Architects : Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, structures: Aldo Favini Morassutti Warehouse, Padua, 1959. Architects: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, structures: Aldo Favini Left: Morassutti warehouse, Padua, 1959. Architects: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, structures: Aldo Favini. Iron shed. Reinforced concrete structure with 2 longitudinal bays, sheet metal roof in which hexagonal tubes form the crossbeams Morassutti Warehouse, Padua, 1959. Architects: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Moriarotti: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, structures: Aldo Favini. Iron shed. The structure is in reinforced concrete with 2 longitudinal bays, roof in sheet metal in which hexagonal tubes form the crossbeams © Fondazione Favini /wp:gallery wp:paragraph /wp:paragraph wp:gallery {"ids":[16092,16093], "linkTo": "none", "align": "center"} Left: Morassutti warehouse, Padua, 1959. Architects : Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, structures: Aldo Favini. Morassutti warehouse, Padua, 1959. Architects: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, structures: Aldo Favini. Iron shed, detail of roof Right: Morassutti warehouse, Padua, 1959. Architects: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, structures: Aldo Favini. Morassutti warehouse, Padua, 1959. Architects: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, structures: Aldo Favini. Hangar for iron © Fondazione Favini /wp:gallery wp:spacer {"height":21} /wp:spacer wp:image {"align": "center", "id":16095, "width":387, "height":223, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Italian vintage rosewood desk Italian vintage rosewood desk, design: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1950s. The desk has 2 drawers, compass legs in blackened wood /wp:image wp:paragraph Mangiarotti then set up his own architectural practice. True to his commitment to industrial design, he initially worked as a consultant for the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo. Already noticed for his avant-garde architectural creations with Bruno Morassutti, Mangiarotti was then snapped up by the major design furniture publishers (Artemide, Cassina, Knoll), for whom he created furniture pieces, some of which have become cult /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":21} /wp:spacer wp:gallery {"ids":[16096,16097], "linkTo": "none", "align": "center"} Design chair "Tre 3" design chair in wood and leather, design: Angelo Mangiarotti for Agape Casa. Modern design with a light touch Angelo Mangiarotti for Agape Casa. Modern design with a light touch /wp:gallery wp:spacer {"height":18} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph In the 1980s, he became artistic director of the Italian crystal maker Colle Cristalleria. His aura and international reputation led him to set up the offices of his agency, Mangiarotti et Associates Office, in Tokyo in 1989. At the same time, he designed and built the Milano Repubblica railway station. Alongside his architectural and design activities, Angelo Mangiarotti continued to teach at a number of foreign and Italian universities (Venice, Hawaii, Lausanne, Adelaide, Milan). In the 1980s, he became artistic director of the Italian crystal maker Colle Cristalleria. His aura and international reputation led him to set up the offices of his agency, Mangiarotti & Associates Office, in Tokyo in 1989. At the same time, he designed and built the Milano Repubblica railway station. Alongside his architectural and design activities, Angelo Mangiarotti continued to teach at a number of foreign and Italian universities (Venice, Hawaii, Lausanne, Adelaide, Milan). /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":14} /wp:spacer wp:gallery {"ids":[16101,16100], "linkTo": "none", "align": "center"} Table decanter and crystal glass, design: Angelo Mangiarotti for Colle Cristalleria, 1986. A subtle, elegant design Table decanter and crystal glass, design: Angelo Mangiarotti for Colle Cristalleria, 1986. A subtle and elegant design © In Collect /wp:gallery wp:spacer {"height":20} /wp:spacer wp:media-text {"mediaId":16102, "mediaType": "image"} wp:paragraph {"placeholder": "Contents...", "fontSize": "large"} View of the interior of the Reppublica Station, Milan Metro. View of the interior of Reppublica Station, Milan Metro. Arbalete © Arbalete © Arbalete /wp:paragraph /wp:media-text wp:spacer {"height":16} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Angelo Mangiarotti is a world-renowned designer and architect who has received no fewer than twenty major awards, including the Compaso d'Oro, the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in architecture, for his entire career in 1994. Angelo Mangiarotti is a world-renowned designer who has received no fewer than twenty major design and architecture awards, including the Nobel Prize in Architecture, the Compaso d'Oro, for his entire career in 1994. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If I had to pick out 1 or 2 highlights from such a rich career, it would undoubtedly be the Italian maestro's ingenuity in designing certain pieces of furniture, which leads me to say that he is a true architect of balance and form. For some of his design creations, Angelo Mangiarotti expressed an uncommon talent as a designer-architect. If I had to pick out 1 or 2 highlights from such a rich career, it would undoubtedly be the Italian maestro's ingenuity in designing certain pieces of furniture, which leads me to say that he is a true architect of balance and form. In some of his design creations, Angelo Mangiarotti displayed an uncommon talent as a designer-architect: /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph This is true of the development of the ingenious Cavalletto Cavalletto modular bookcase, designed in the mid-1950s: uprights in the shape of an inverted V can be superimposed by the simple action of gravity - brilliant! The system was patented more than 50 years ago and is still admired for the way it allows the pieces to fit together without any clamping or joints. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":16103, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Cavalletto modular bookcase, concept and design: Angelo Mangiarotti, 1953. The trestle units in the shape of an inverted "V" fit together naturally... Cavalletto modular bookcase, concept and design: Angelo Mangiarotti, 1953. The trestle units in the shape of an inverted "V" fit together naturally... © Studio Twenty Seven /wp:image wp:gallery {"ids":[16105,16104], "linkTo": "none", "align": "center"} Cavalletto modular bookcase, concept and design: Angelo Mangiarotti, 1953. The uprights provide space for shelves or, as shown here, closed pedestals. Cavalletto modular bookcase, concept and design: Angelo Mangiarotti, 1953. The uprights provide space for shelves or, as shown here, closed pedestals. Studio Twenty Seven /wp:gallery wp:spacer {"height":21} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph In the 1970s, Angelo Mangiarotti repeated his ingenuity to create a series of marble and stone tables. The Eros Eros and Eccentrico Eccentrico collections exploit the same principle: the gravitational joint, which allows a conical leg to be embedded in a marble top, for example, the whole joined by the force of gravity alone. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":13} /wp:spacer wp:media-text {"mediaId":16106, "mediaLink": "https://blog.design-market.fr/?attachmentid=16106*", "mediaType": "image"} wp:paragraph {"placeholder": "Contents...", "fontSize": "large"} Black marble pedestal table, concept and design: Angelo Mangiarotti, Eros Collection, 1971 Black marble pedestal table, concept and design: Angelo Mangiarotti, Eros Collection, 1971 . Angelo Mangiarotti was particularly fond of working with marble to experiment with different techniques. Angelo Mangiarotti was particularly fond of working with marble to experiment with different techniques. Terre Meuble /wp:paragraph /wp:media-text wp:media-text {"mediaPosition": "right", "mediaId":16107, "mediaLink": "https://blog.design-market.fr/?attachmentid=16107"*, "mediaType": "image"} wp:paragraph {"placeholder": "Contents...", "fontSize": "large"} White marble clover-shaped coffee table White marble clover-shaped coffee table, concept and design: Angelo Mangiarotti, Eros Collection. Mangiarotti's pieces are imbued with great elegance... concept and design: Angelo Mangiarotti, Eros Collection. Mangiarotti's pieces are marked by great elegance... © Terre Meuble /wp:paragraph /wp:media-text wp:media-text {"mediaId":16109, "mediaType": "image"} wp:paragraph {"placeholder": "Contents...", "fontSize": "large"} Elliptical dining tables Eccentrico elliptical dining tables, concept and design: Angelo Mangiarotti. The Eccentrico collection dates back to 1979. Since 2010, Agape, an Italian brand specialising in the world of bathrooms, has been publishing and distributing some of the Italian designer's major pieces in marble and precious woods under the name Agape Casa /wp:paragraph /wp:media-text wp:spacer {"height":22} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph In the architectural field, 2 other projects by Angelo Mangiarotti particularly caught my attention, demonstrating an experimental spirit in tune with the architectural avant-garde of his time. The first was the Mater Misericordiae church in Baranzate, built in 1957 in collaboration with Bruno Morassutti. A building with a Brutalist exterior and a mix of materials inside: concrete, metal, glass, wood, polystyrene, etc. The 2 architects succeeded in producing a soft, mystical light inside the church - astonishing! /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":16} /wp:spacer wp:image {"align": "left", "id":16110, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Mater Misericordiae Church in Baranzate, Milan, architects : Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1957 Mater Misericordiae Church in Baranzate, Milan, architects : Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1957 ©Andrea Ceriani /wp:image wp:image {"align": "right", "id":16111, "width":554, "height":369, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Mater Misericordiae Church in Baranzate, Milan, architects : Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1957 Mater Misericordiae Church in Baranzate, Milan, architects : Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1957 ©Andrea Ceriani /wp:image wp:image {"id":16114, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Interior of Church Mater Misericordiae of Baranzate, Milan, architects : Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1957 Interior of Mater Misericordiae Church in Baranzate, Milan, architects : Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1957 ©Andrea Ceriani /wp:image wp:gallery {"ids":[16117,16118], "linkTo": "none", "align": "center"} Interior of the Mater Misericordiae Church in Baranzate, Milan, architects : Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1957 Interior of Mater Misericordiae Church in Baranzate, Milan, architects : Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1957 © Ivo Stani /wp:gallery wp:media-text {"mediaId":16119, "mediaType": "image", "mediaWidth":36} wp:paragraph {"placeholder": "Contents...", "fontSize": "large"} Interior of the Mater Misericordiae Church in Baranzate, Milan, architects : Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1957 Interior of Mater Misericordiae Church in Baranzate, Milan, architects : Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1957 © Ivo Stani /wp:paragraph /wp:media-text wp:spacer {"height":17} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph The second landmark project is the "Three-Cylinder House", a residential building in the San Siro district of Milan. Built between 1959 and 1962, this complex of 3 cylindrical buildings stands out from the usual sobriety of Milanese architecture. Mangiarotti and Morassutti conceived the project with an original brief at the time: to design individual housing units. Each of the 3 cylindrical volumes houses one flat per floor, overlooking the entire circumference. The second landmark project was the "Three-Cylinder House", a residential building in a condominium in the San Siro district of Milan. Built between 1959 and 1962, this complex of 3 cylindrical buildings stands out from the usual sobriety of Milanese architecture. Mangiarotti and Morassutti conceived the project with an original brief at the time: to design individual housing units. Each of the 3 cylindrical volumes houses one flat per floor, overlooking the entire circumference. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":18} /wp:spacer wp:gallery {"ids":[16120,16121], "linkTo": "none", "align": "center"} La Maison à 3 cylindres, architecture : Angelo Mangiarotti et Bruno Morassutti, 1959-1962 La Maison à 3 cylindres, architecture : Angelo Mangiarotti et Bruno Morassutti, 1959-1962 © Urban file /wp:gallery wp:image {"align": "center", "id":16122, "width":410, "height":254, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Plan of the 3-cylinder house Plan of the 3-cylinder house /wp:image wp:gallery {"ids":[16123,16124], "linkTo": "none", "align": "center"} The 3-Cylinder House, architecture: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1959-1962. Interior view La Maison à 3 cylindres, architecture: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1959-1962. View of the interior © Alba Deangelis /wp:gallery wp:image {"align": "center", "id":16125, "width":541, "height":361, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} The 3-Cylinder House, architecture: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1959-1962. The 3 volumes are raised above the ground, leaving room for the garden, which can infiltrate right under the building La Maison à 3 cylindres, architecture: Angelo Mangiarotti and Bruno Morassutti, 1959-1962. The 3 volumes are raised above the ground, leaving room for the garden, which can infiltrate right under the building © Angelo Mangiarotti /wp:image wp:paragraph Passed away in 2012, Angelo Mangiarotti was one of the last giants of post-war Italian architecture and design. A protean creator, his architectural achievements, design ingenuity and the carnal beauty of his furniture pieces continue to enchant enlightened enthusiasts. Angelo Mangiarotti, who died in 2012, was one of the last giants of post-war Italian architecture and design. A protean creator, his architectural achievements, design ingenuity and the carnal beauty of his furniture pieces continue to enchant enlightened enthusiasts. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph {"align": "right"} François Boutard François Boutard /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Crédit photo cover : Crédit photo cover : Design Market /wp:paragraph

Read our other blogs too

Eames Lounge Chair

Whoppah explores: Eames Lounge Chair

The Eames Lounge Chair is undoubtedly one of the most popular lounge chairs ever made. The iconic chair was released by The Herman Miller Company in 1956 and is here to stay. Do you dream of such a beautiful copy? We share 5 facts about this legendary lounge chair and we spoke to Aksel, Eames connoisseur and trader, about the differences between the vintage and recent models of this chair.

Read more

At home with Michael

Next up in our home visit series – where we come to your home to get to know you better, discover your style, and learn more about your relationship with secondhand and design – is Michael (31). He is a passionate art lover and dealer, with his own art and framing business in the charming town of Weesp, and recently, he has also started publishing art. Here, he perfectly combines his love for art with his entrepreneurial flair.

Read more
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Image

Whoppah explores: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

One of the most iconic design chairs is the Barcelona Chair by Mies van der Rohe. The chair was exhibited in 1929 during the World Exhibition in Barcelona and is one of the best-selling designer armchairs ever. It is amazing how a chair has not lost its popularity for more than 90 years and remains a symbol of elegant and modern design. That is why this week is an ode to architect and furniture designer Mies van der Rohe.

Read more
blog-one-main-test.png

Whoppah explores: Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the most influential architects of the twentieth century. It's high time to find out more about this world architect!

Read more