Carlo Ratti's 'Objectify' Series: The Lifeguard Uniform as Italian Design Classic

In the summer series 'Objectify' by Wallpaper*, architect Carlo Ratti delves into Italy's culture through commonplace items, beginning with the lifeguard uniform. For 155 years, the National Lifesaving Society has set standards for lifeguards, with their distinctive red tank tops marking Italy's 8,000-km coastline. Unlike the yellow tops used by the International Life Saving Federation, Italy opts for a deep red, reminiscent of brands like Ferrari and Tinder. This uniform permits personal expression within established guidelines. Ratti's weekly series in Il Sole 24 Ore seeks to bring attention to often-overlooked Italian design, echoing Achille Castiglioni's notion that 'objects should keep us company.' Ratti leads CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati and the Senseable City Lab at MIT and was the director of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia in 2025.