Ferruccio Laviani

Ferruccio Laviani is part of a generation of Italian designers who came to prominence as the Memphis Group made its mark on international design. Born in 1960, Laviani studied both architecture and design in Milan, graduating with a degree in architecture in 1986. Soon after, he took part in the 12 Newcomers Memphis collection in 1986 and the Living on Earth Memphis collection in 1987, launching his career with ties to the colorful and idiosyncratic design movement. Laviani went on to design whimsical, colorful furniture and objects that remind us of the Memphis Group’s exuberant and expressive mission. Laviani’s Orbital Lamp (1991), perhaps his best-known design, used color-saturated biomorphic shapes for the glass shades, and an angular, tapering metal base, bringing to mind the organic emphasis and optimism of the ’50s, while his Max Table combines multi-use practicality with his signature curvilinear forms.

Ferruccio Laviani marks the transition between his generation and those before him through his collaborations with his elders and mentors. He’s worked with Kartell, Foscarini, Achille Castiglioni and Ettore Sottsass. Along with his talented colleagues, Laviani exemplifies the best of Italian design, present and future.