Via Quadronno 24 stands as a primary example of the structural rigor defined by Angelo Mangiarotti during his extensive career in Milan. Throughout his life, he bridged the gap between industrial design and monumental architecture, leaving a portfolio of functional structures and gravity-defying furniture that prioritized material properties over fleeting decorative trends.
Early Education and Chicago Influences
Born in Milan in 1921, Mangiarotti pursued his architectural training at the Polytechnic University of Milan, completing his studies in 1948. Shortly thereafter, in 1953, he took a position as a visiting professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. During this period, he engaged with significant contemporaries, including Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Konrad Wachsmann.
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Returning to Italy, Mangiarotti established a professional partnership with Bruno Morassutti that lasted from 1955 until 1960. He later broadened his international footprint by opening an architectural office in Tokyo in 1989. His career featured diverse academic roles, with teaching appointments at the University of Florence, the University of Palermo, and his alma mater, the Polytechnic University of Milan.
Infrastructure and Industrial Design
Mangiarotti’s architectural output focused heavily on infrastructure and industrial facilities. He directed projects in Padua in 1959, Marcianise and Mestre in 1962, Monza in 1964, and Cinisello Balsamo in 1973. His transport work included the Milano Certosa and Milano Rogoredo stations between 1982 and 1988, followed by the Porta Venezia and Repubblica stations on the Passante Ferroviario di Milano from 1983 to 1996. Beyond buildings, he crafted the Lesbo and Saffo lamps for Artemide in 1966 and the Giogali chandeliers for Vistosi in 1967. His furniture, notably the Eros, Incas, and Asolo marble tables, utilized gravity joints to secure components without mechanical fasteners.
Fast facts
- Born: 26 February 1921, Milan
- Died: 2 July 2012, Milan
- Education: Polytechnic University of Milan, 1948
- Notable Building: Via Quadronno 24
- Award: Compasso d'Oro, 1994
- Authored Book: In nome dell'architettura, 1987
Questions readers ask
What is the significance of the gravity joints in his table designs?
The joints allowed pieces like the Eros, Incas, and Asolo tables to remain stable through precise balance and the weight of the marble or stone components rather than using adhesive or fasteners.
Which major railway stations did he design?
He designed Milano Certosa, Milano Rogoredo, Porta Venezia, and Repubblica stations in Milan.
Achievements
- Notable work: Via Quadronno 24
- Trained at Polytechnic University of Milan
