Tarax­acum 88

One of the preeminent voices in post-war Italian design, Achille Castiglioni worked closely with his brother, Pier Giacomo, to dream up products informed by their mutual sense of curiosity, humor, and wonder.

Their approach resulted in products that incorporated playful forms and references—such as their Mezzadro stool for Zanotta that was made with a tractor seat, or their Snoopy table lamp for Flos inspired by the famous cartoon character. The duo was committed to pushing the limits of industrial design, a goal they achieved through constant experimentation and a willingness to embrace unexpected methods of production. Achille and Pier Giacomo often incorporated utilitarian materials and readymade objects into their works, from the aforementioned tractor seat to fishing rods, car headlights, and more.

A longstanding relationship with FLOS led to the creation of many of the designers’ most famous works, such as the 1962 Arco lamp, a widely copied fixture that is considered to be one of the hallmarks of midcentury industrial design. Achille Castiglioni created nearly 150 objects in his lifetime, and many products are still in production today.