Angelo Mangiarotti, born in Milan in 1921, was an influential architect, industrial designer, and educator. After graduating in Architecture from Milan Polytechnic in 1948, he traveled to the United States, where he had the opportunity to engage with architectural legends like Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe. Upon returning to Italy in 1955, he partnered with Bruno Morassuti to open a design studio in Milan, which lasted until 1960. During his prolific career, Mangiarotti’s design philosophy centered around the intrinsic characteristics of materials, striving to create forms that respect the material’s natural properties.
Mangiarotti’s work extended across architecture, product design, and furniture, including his role as art director for Colle Cristalleria from 1986 to 1992. He also made significant contributions to academic circles, teaching at universities around the world, including the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, the University of Hawaii, and the Politecnico di Milano. His design approach emphasized functionalism and objectivity, with a focus on the relationship between the user and the environment.
His dedication to both form and function earned him numerous accolades, including the ADI Compasso d’Oro career award in 1994. Among his many notable works is his collaboration with Poltrona Frau, where he brought his distinct, material-driven design philosophy to the brand’s luxury furniture offerings. Mangiarotti passed away in 2012, leaving behind a legacy of thoughtful, elegant design that continues to influence contemporary architecture and design.