Marco Zanuso (1916-2001)

Architect and Industrial designer, Marco Zanuso contributed to the Italian design movement in the years following World War II

About his life

Marco Zanuso was born in1916and died in2001inMilan. He studied architecture at thePolytechnic School of Milanand after he founded his own studio in 1945. During his life, he received several rewards: the Grand Prix at the Milan Triennial but also fiveCompasso d’Orobetween 1956 and 1985. In 1957, Zanuso started to collaborate withRichard Sapper, a famous designer. They produced together a real functional range oftelevisionsandradio stations. These products influenced the use of plastics for the consumer products and caused a reduction in the prices.

What were his major works?

His major commissions in Milan, where he was a member of the city planning commission, included the renovation of theTeatro Fossatiand the construction of the nearby短笛这个地方. Zanuso edited the influential design magazinesDomus(1947–49) andCasabella(1952–54), taught architecture and design at the Milan Polytechnic from the 1960s, and served (1957–59 and 1966–74) as president of theItalian Association of Industrial Design. As an architect, Zanuso designed housing as well asfactoriesandofficesin Italy, Argentina, Brazil, and South Africa.

1964 , Television — 1964 ,**Television “Algol**” with Richard Sapper for Brionvega

image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/4ab483e1-a9d7-4fc6-a5e7-0cb75cd4af19bytomislavmedak

Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/68237ebf-137f-406c-98dd-d345633be548bydr vaxon

What are the main features of Zanuso’s style?

He helped to revolutionize post-World War II furniture and appliance design, bringing innovative contemporary styling to mass-produced consumer products through his use ofsculptural shapes,bright colours, andmodern synthetic materials, including tubular steel, acrylics, latex foam, fibreglass, foam rubber, and injection-molded plastics. Several of his award-winning product designs eventually were included in the permanent collection of theMuseum of Modern Artin New York City.