Joe Colombo

Joe Colombo, born in Milan in 1930, was a visionary architect and designer known for his innovative approach to furniture and lighting design. Initially focused on painting and sculpture, Colombo transitioned to studying architecture at the Politecnico di Milano in 1953, though he did not complete his degree. Early in his career, he was deeply involved in avant-garde artistic movements such as the Movimento Nucleare and the Movimento per l’Arte Concreta. These experiences shaped his futuristic design philosophy, where technology played a central role.

In 1959, Colombo opened a design studio with his brother Gianni, allowing them to explore new design possibilities. One of their earliest successes was the Acrilica lamp, produced by Oluce, which won a gold medal at the 1964 Triennale. This project propelled Joe Colombo into the world of industrial design, where he became known for experimenting with materials, forms, and functions.

Some of Colombo’s most iconic designs from the 1960s include the Mini-Kitchen for Boffi, the No. 4801 chair for Kartell, the Elda chair for Comfort F.lli Longhi, and the Tube Chair for Cappellini. His Spider lamp for Oluce won the Compasso d’Oro in 1967, and he received the same award in 1970 for a portable air conditioner designed for Candy. Throughout his short but prolific career, Colombo’s experimental designs, such as the Multichair for B-Line and the Boby office trolley, solidified his reputation as a pioneer in modern design. His work continues to inspire and influence contemporary design today.