Architect and designer Cesare Leonardi dies at 85
Cesare Leonardi, an architect, designer, and artist from Modena, passed away at the age of 85 on February 4, 2021, at Baggiovara Hospital in Modena. He was born on June 3, 1935, and pursued his studies at the University of Florence. His work spanned architecture, design, and sculpture, with a particular emphasis on wood. From the 1960s until the mid-1980s, he worked alongside Franca Stagi, creating the Nastro armchair, K table, and Dondolo seat, which were showcased at MoMA in 1970. They also designed the Vignola Swimming Center (1982) and restored San Carlo College (1975). Their ideas were published in "L'architettura degli alberi" (1982). Recent highlights included a retrospective in Modena and an installation at the 2018 London Design Biennale, earning praise from Mayor Gian Carlo Muzzarelli and regional leaders.
Key facts
- Cesare Leonardi died February 4, 2021, at Baggiovara Hospital, Modena, aged 85.
- Born June 3, 1935, in Modena; studied at University of Florence Faculty of Architecture.
- Collaborated with Franca Stagi from 1960s to mid-1980s.
- Designed Nastro armchair (patented 1966), K table, Dondolo seat.
- Dondolo exhibited at MoMA's 1970 'Italy: The New Domestic Landscape' and in MoMA, Centre Pompidou, V&A collections.
- Co-designed Vignola Swimming Center, restored San Carlo College, won Parco Urbano della Resistenza competition (1970).
- Published 'L'architettura degli alberi' in 1982.
- Created 'Solidi' furniture from concrete formwork wood.
- Retrospective 'Cesare Leonardi – L'Architettura della Vita' in Modena 2017–2018.
- Installation at London Design Biennale 2018 representing Italy.
Entities
Artists
- Cesare Leonardi
- Franca Stagi
- Leonardo Savioli
- Ludovico Quaroni
- Leonardo Ricci
- Adalberto Libera
- Joseph Grima
- Andrea Bagnato
- Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi
- Valentina Silvestrini
Institutions
- University of Florence
- MoMA
- Centre Georges Pompidou
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Villa Croce
- Triennale Milano
- Archivio Architetto Cesare Leonardi
- London Design Biennale
- Comune di Modena
- Fondazione Leonardi
- Mazzotta
- Artribune
- Vitra Design Museum
Locations
- Modena
- Italy
- Baggiovara
- Florence
- Genoa
- New York
- London
- Weil am Rhein
- Emilia-Romagna
- Vignola
- Bosco Albergati