Poltronova Design Archive Opens Study Center in Florence
Situated in a former annex of the Antico Setificio Fiorentino in Florence's San Frediano district, the Centro Studi Poltronova per il Design is focused on the Italian design brand Poltronova, which Sergio Cammilli established in 1957. In the early 2000s, Roberta Meloni revitalized the archive, reconstructed with the help of Francesca Balena Arista, containing drawings, photographs, catalogs, and prototypes. Among the highlights are brochures by Ettore Sottsass Jr., who served as artistic director from 1958 to 1973, and images from a 1967 Domus catalog. The center also reveals that iconic items, such as the Mobili Grigi, were once considered failures. Poltronova works with designers like Bethan Laura Wood and publishes monographs on radical design.
Key facts
- Centro Studi Poltronova per il Design opened in Florence's San Frediano district
- Poltronova founded in 1957 by Sergio Cammilli in Agliana, Pistoia
- Roberta Meloni revived the brand in early 2000s
- Archive reconstructed by Francesca Balena Arista from materials in old factory
- Ettore Sottsass Jr. was artistic director from 1958 to 1973
- Mobili Grigi presented at Eurodomus 3 in May 1970 were initially flops
- Ultrafragola mirror became a popular Instagram piece
- Bethan Laura Wood designed terrazzo covering for new Superonda sofa
Entities
Artists
- Roberta Meloni
- Donatello D'Angelo
- Sergio Cammilli
- Francesca Balena Arista
- Ettore Sottsass Jr.
- Archizoom Associati
- Studio DDL
- Jonathan De Pas
- Donato D'Urbino
- Paolo Lomazzi
- Dario Bartolini
- Superstudio
- Angelo Mangiarotti
- Bethan Laura Wood
- Vittorio Cottafavi
- Nicoletta Rizzi
Institutions
- Centro Studi Poltronova per il Design
- Antico Setificio Fiorentino
- Poltronova
- Domus
- Abitare
- Eurodomus 3
- Salone del Mobile
- Artribune
Locations
- Florence
- Italy
- San Frediano
- Oltrarno
- Agliana
- Pistoia