A selection of the most significant re-editions of design icons from the 1960s–1970s
Iconic pieces return to the design runway. For this issue, we have curated a selection of 1960s–1970s design icons recently reissued—an immersive journey into design culture and the innovative DNA of the great masters. New collections and re-editions celebrate the enduring legacy of brands whose archives hold true design treasures. A closer reading of current design trends once again confirms that historical and aesthetic value is increasingly matched by investment value, much like in the art market. This is a cultural heritage to be shared. History is only the beginning.
1960
BLU PONTI COLLECTION
Design: Gio Ponti
The colours of sky and sea in this collection, originally created between 1960 and 1962 for the flooring of the lobby and guest rooms of the Hotel Parco dei Principi in Sorrento—the world’s first design hotel—are now faithfully reproduced on majolica tiles that preserve the original glaze, tones and dimensions.
Ceramica Francesco De Maio
www.francescodemaio.it
1960
ALBERO
Design: Gianfranco Frattini
Formally associated with the Neoliberty movement, this bookcase is considered a visionary object. Designed by Gianfranco Frattini, its structure stands out through complex woodworking and a sculptural presence that allows it to function as a spatial centrepiece. Its name reveals a dual inspiration: the Italian word for “tree” (albero), but also the concept of a mechanical shaft—an intersection of nature and engineering that reflects the designer’s layered intellectual approach.
Poltrona Frau
www.poltronafrau.com
1962
TACCIA
Design: Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
A true masterpiece of Italian design. Inspired by the radical idea of inverting a ceiling lamp, Taccia is defined by its bowl-shaped reflector, which produces a perfectly controlled, diffused light. Its base, referencing the fluted columns of classical antiquity, introduces a sense of monumentality and refinement.
Flos — www.flos.com
1962
RIO
Design: Charlotte Perriand
Now available in a single dimension, this table was originally conceived in two versions: one for Jacques Martin’s house in Rio, and a larger one designed between 1962 (the year of its conception) and 1967 for the Japanese Embassy in Paris. The table’s unusual beauty, combined with its functional clarity, elevates it to the status of a true design object. Cassina has reissued the original 1962 version, faithfully preserving its initial proportions and lines.
Cassina – iMaestri Collection
www.cassina.com
1964
618
Design: Carlo Scarpa
In his search for the essence of the word “furniture”, Carlo Scarpa engaged in a semantic exploration of language, studying both the ancient lexicon of the Accademia della Crusca and Battisti’s etymological dictionary. The “618” project synthesises pure functionalism with essential lines and gestures, distilling the results of this intellectual and material inquiry into a single, precise form.
Meritalia
www.meritalia.it
Words by Andreea Dicianu
Discover the full version of this story in Volume II.