Archirivolto, an industrial planning, design and architecture studio, was started in 1983 by Claudio Dondoli and Marco Pocci. They have designed the FIAM Dress chair.
While studying architecture in Florence, Claudio Marco and some friends put up and experimental theatre group. When they decided to focus on design, their passion for theatre strongly influenced the set up of the new studio: creativity, sense of reality, respect and awareness to the audience were central.
Keen on getting an insight on the production and on the market, they started managing an interior and furniture shop. In 1995 the young designer Cristian Gori joined them after stydiyng Architecture in the Art School of Siena.
Archirivolto sees design as beauty harmony and freedom; therefore it cannot be bound by strict, pre-established rules, nor it can be the privilege of a social or cultural elite. The designer’s duty is to create beauty for everyone and to make design approachable for an ever-increasing number of people.
“[…] Nowadays real innovation is based on the use of technology and of materials, not only to create image but also to provide a service to the client. Nowadays there is a seeming come-back to the utopia of the ’70, when the objects were created for the mass market and the entrepreneurs were young, energetic and really innovative. The designer must not forget that the object he/she is designing must make life of the end-user easier and better”.
They focus their studies not only on interior design, but also on electronics and architecture. The studio designs not only several objects of every-day use, such as tables, chairs, stools, upholstery, lightning, but also villas and public places.
They carry out a long and thorough search for the right materials and processes, to achieve the best price/quality ratio and to create technically perfect and approachable objects. For this reason they prefer those materials which acquire nobility and elegance through high-level manufacturing processes. Aluminium and Plastic, in particular, are considered as particularly fascinating because of their ductility.
“..the end purpose of every object designed for industrial production must never be forgotten: the product must be sold!”
