Achille, as had his brothers before him, studied architecture at the Politecnico di Milano. The three began a creative collaboration in 1944—Achille and Pier Giacomo in particular. Both, together and separately, taught architecture in Milan and Turin.

Their extraordinarily varied body of work encompasses exhibit and lighting design, plastics, ceramics, glassware, appliances and interiors. Their clients included Zanotta, Knoll, Siemens, B&B Italia and Alessi.

They were also instrumental in establishing the Triennale di Milano, in founding the famed Premio Compasso D'Oro, and in organizing ADI, Associazione per il Diesgno Industriale.

Of the three however, Achille's work has been the most influential, and until his death in 2002, he reigned as the grand old man of Italian design. Always modest about his achievements, he often credited his success as a designer to his brothers, whom he outlived by more than 20 years. Page 2 >