One of the most influential architects and designers in the 1960s, Ludovico Magistretti (06/10/1920 – 19/09/2006), known by the nickname Vico, was born in Milan in 1920 into a family of architects. He enrolled in the school of architecture in 1939, and in 1943 moved briefly to Switzerland, where he met Ernesto Nathan Rogers, a key influence on his education.
He returned to Milan in 1945 where he graduated in Architecture from the Politecnico and immediately began his professional career. The 1950s were a fruitful period for Magistretti, who emerged as one of the most brilliant exponents of the “third generation”. Over the next few years he began working a lot more as a designer as well as an architect, creating furniture and objects which will always be “classics” of modern-day production.
Some of his creations have become true icons and are still in production. They include the Eclisse lamp for Artemide, Compasso d’Oro in 1967; the Atollo lamp for Oluce; the Maralunga sofa and the Nuvola Rossa bookcase for Cassina; the Nathalie bed and Tadao for Flou; He worked for many other brands including De Padova, Fritz Hansen, Fontana Arte and Kartell. He died in Milan on September 19, 2006.
