Michele
De Lucchi
(1951)
architect - designer
Born in Ferrara, Italy, Michele De Lucchi studied in Padova and in Firenze (Florence), Italy, where he graduated in architecture in 1975.
His approach to the creation of new styles in architecture and product design played an important role in the movements Cavart, Alchymia, and Memphis.
Cavart is an architectural movement whose name was created using the words "cava", in English "cave", and "arte", in English "art". The Cavart group was formed for a competition for the transformation of the volcanic rock in the area of Padova (Padua), Italy, and, once established, became an intellectual resource centre that among other things would organise seminars about architecture and urban design. Michele De Lucchi's experimental and innovative approach to design theories is the focal point of the theoretical debate of the group around contemporary radical architecture.
Alchimia is a group of avant-garde industrial designers including Alessandro Mendini, Andrea Branzi, and Ettore Sottsass to which Michel De Lucchi contributed with the creation of designs that where aimed to meet the need of a vast public while communicating a smooth and positive feel.
Memphis is a famous movement initiated by the internationally acclaimed designer and architect Ettore Sottsass. Part of the Memphis movement are the designers George Sowden, Nathalie du Pasquier, and Matteo Thun. The movement focused on themes of fundamental importance in industrial design with which Ettore Sottsass has been constantly experimenting: the use of colours, the importance of considering unexplored themes, and the use of versatile materials like plastic laminates and others. As part of the Memphis movement Michele De Lucchi seems to excellently be able adapt and harmonise expressionism, production methods, and new concepts of functionality.
Michele De Lucchi created industrial design products for the famous design manufactures Artemide, Dada Cucine, Kartell, Matsushita, Mauser, Poltrona Frau and Olivetti. Among his most conceptually explorative projects are those developed for Compaq Computers, Philips, Siemens and Vitra.
Many of his installations are used in the interior design of Deutsche Bank, Deutsche Bundesbahn, Enel, Poste Italiane, Telecom Italia, Banca Popolare di Lodi and, other offices internationally.
Michele De Lucchi's creative professional activity is based on the conceptual exploration of architecture, design, technology and crafts. He designs buildings, exhibitions, installations for indoor spaces, and industrial design products.
Among the numerous design awards that he has received are: Compasso d'Oro, Premio Smau, Office Design Eimu, Deutsche Auswahl, If Hannover, Design Plus, Roter Punkt and other.
Selections of his products are exhibited in design museums in Europe, in Japan and in the United States. In 2003 the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France, has bought many of his creative works to feature them in permanent exhibitions.
Among the most important industrial design products created by Michele De Lucchi are:
- The table lamp Tolomeo produced by Artemide in 1986.
- The suspension lamp Acquatinta produced privately in 1996.
- The suspension lamp Cubetta produced privately in 1999.
- The table lamp Sinerpica produced by Alchimia in 1979.
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links:
www.amdl.it
www.produzioneprivata.it
