Born in Milan in 1920, Vico Magistretti graduated in 1945 from Milan’s Royal Polytechnic Faculty of Architecture, immediately starting his own business in the studio that had been his father’s, Pier Giulio.

During the Reconstruction years, Vico Magistretti distinguished himself both in the field of cultural associationism and in his own professional activity. In 1946, he was among the founders of the Architectural Studies Movement (Movimento Studi di Architettura – MSA) within which he dedicated himself to designing buildings for subsidised housing. From 1949 to 1959, he completed about 14 projects for INA-Casa and, together with Mario Tedeschi, drew up the plan for the Santa Maria Nascente church in Milan’s QT8 district. Furthermore, he took part in Milan’s Triennale editions, where he received awards such as the Gold Medal (9th edition) and the Grand Prize (10th edition), also curating with Ignazio Gardella, exhibitions such as the XII Triennale in 1960.

During the Fifties, Magistretti established his career by designing significant buildings such as the Torre al Parco in Via Revere (1953-56, with Franco Longoni) and the building in Corso Europa (1955-57). His towers in Piazzale Aquileia (1961-64) are other notable works from this period.

In the ensuing years, his work as an architect was combined with that of designer, creating objects and furnishing items that became veritable icons of contemporary design. His award-winning works include the Eclisse lamp (1967), the Atollo lamp (1979) and the Maralunga sofa (1973), all winners of the Compasso d’Oro. He collaborated with companies such as Artemide, Cassina, Kartell and Flou and his designs are exhibited in numerous museums including MoMA in New York. In addition, he became an honorary member and visiting professor at the London Royal College of Art.