March 2009…in Roma

Ciao Italy — Ancona, Urbino and Rome; compliments iGuzzini, Sistemalux and Dulanski Group.

Part 1: Fratelli Guzzini factory visit in Ancona

Leni peers through a transparent display of Guzzini tableware

Guzzini’s “Multimateriality and the culture of detail” household articles have been created since 1912 –when oxbow horn was molded  into objects.

Fratelli Guzzini introduced plexiglas to the domestic landscape in 1938.  In 1940 Guzzini designers formed clear plastic tableware, in 1950 elegant and colorful plastics for the table were designed and these lines have  been recently reissued.  In 1960 they created moldable acrylic forms.

In1970 melamine was invented (growing up in LA our family table was set with white melamine and Russel Wright‘s grey and brown ceramic dinnerware). In 1980 mixed materials such as porcelain and steel articles were manufactured and in the 1990s gas-assisted injection moulding techniques were used.

Guzzini 2008 - Horeca happy hour line by designer Viglino Carlo

Currently Guzzini is focusing on innovating and continuing to develop the company’s unique style, “suggestive furniture objects” and making acrylic tableware that is “difficult to copy”.

I noticed that designers are proudly referenced at the Guzzini lines whether for tableware, bath/spa design or lighting.

More to come…

#design #factoryvisit #color #innovation #LinkedIn #Italy