Achille (1918-2002) & Pier Giacomo (1913-1968) Castiglioni Biography
Achille Castiglioni was born in Milan in 1918. Already in 1940 he dedicated himself to industrial production tests together with his brothers Livio (1911-1979) and Pier Giacomo (1913-1968). After graduating in architecture in 1944, he began research in the field of forms, techniques and new materials with the aim of developing an integral design process. He is one of the founders of ADI in 1956. In 1969 he received authorization from the Ministry of Education to teach "Artistic Design for Industry", he was a professor at the Faculty of Architecture of Turin until 1980, then professor of "Industrial Design ” in Milan until 1993. Since 1950 he has been active in the field of research and experimentation with exhibition setups (Milan Triennale, Montecatini, Agip, Rai). Fourteen of his works are exhibited at the MoMA in New York. Other works are present in the museums: Victoria and Albert Museum (London), Kunstgewerbe Museum (Zurich), Staatliches Museum fur Angewandte Kunst (Munich), Design Museum (Prato), Uneleckoprumyslove Prague Museum (Prague), Israel Museum (Jerusalem), The Denver Art Museum, Vitra Design Museum (Weil am Rhein), Angewandte Kunst Museum (Hamburg and Cologne). Between 1984 and 1986 his personal exhibition was organized by the Museum fur Angewandte Kunst (Vienna), then at the Akademie der Kunst (Berlin), the Triennale di Milano (Milan), the Kunstgewerbe Museum (Zurich), the Haags Gemeentemuseum (The Hague), the Circulo de Bellas Artes (Madrid) and the Center Georges Pompidou (Paris). He has been awarded nine Compasso d'Oro awards. Achille Castiglioni died in 2002. Pier Giacomo Castiglioni was born in Milan in 1913. In 1937 he founded the studio “Architecture, Urban Buildings and Research in Industrial Design” with his brother Livio. In 1952 Livio left the studio, which his brother Achille had joined in 1944. He graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the Polytechnic of Milan in 1937 and collaborated in the drafting of a pamphlet on the Master Plan of Milan: "Fifty notable squares of the future Milan" with the architect Carlo Pagani in 1938. Lecturer and Assistant of Architectural Design and Professor of Design and Public Works at the Faculty of Architecture of Milan. Member of the Council of the Architects Association and of the Building Commission of the Municipality of Milan. He exhibited at every Milan Triennale from 1940 onwards, winning several prizes. On the occasion of the 13th Triennale in 1964, dedicated to the theme "Free time, life time", Pier Giacomo Castiglioni was a member of the Executive Committee. He is a member of several juries: in 1956, 1957 and 1958 for “La Rinascente Compasso d'Oro”; The Milan Triennale; Formica-Domus competition; Abitare-De Padova competition; International Cantù Furniture competition. Furthermore, he is particularly active as curator of exhibition installations for national and international institutes and leading companies participating in national and international fairs: Montecatini, RAI, ENI, Triennale di Milano, Mostre Esposizioni Torino, “Italia61”, AGIP. Pier Giacomo Castiglioni receives several awards and recognitions, including the “Compasso d'Oro” in 1955, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1967, 1979. He dies in 1968. His works have been presented and are currently exhibited at: Museum of Modern Art (New York – 22 works at the moment), Royal Institute of British Architects (London), Musée des Arts Decoratifs (Paris), Palais du Centenaire (Brussels), Modern Art Museum (Sao Paulo – Brazil), Prima Esposicion de drawing industrial of Buenos Aires (Argentina).
